Our Staff
Program Managers
SEEDS After School Programs
Coordinators
Support Staff
Resident Farmer
VISTA Members
Executive Director
Sarna Salzman, MS
Sarna builds synergy within SEEDS and in the wider community through innovative monitoring techniques and fostering direct connections. She has an eclectic bundle of skills all related to building community self-reliance through ecological intelligence. She has a BA in Anthropology and Sociology from Kalamazoo College in Michigan and an MS in Community Development from the University of California at Davis. In her spare time you might find her on stage, sharing a spicy meal, or just drinking maple syrup. sarna @ecoSEEDS.org
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Program Managers
Barton Kirk, EIT, MS
Area: Energy & Environmental Analysis
Barton is an ecological engineer working at the nexus of energy, water, climate, and community. His social and environmental roots were established early working on his parents’ community-supported farm and at the Penn State Center for Sustainability. For the past decade, he has been helping communitites develop durable decisions about their built and natural infrastructure by applying life-cycle systems analysis. Barton has also developed particular interest in regenerative design that engages youth and local citizens, and is a guest lecturer at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School where he teaches hands-on and theoretical courses on ecological water and waste solutions. barton @ecoSEEDS.org
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Maeve McBride, PhD
Area: Ecological Engineering
Maeve has worked with a variety of organizations and engineering firms on floodplain restoration, geomorphic analysis, and engineered logjams. She has worked with the Academy of Natural Sciences on numerous stream rehabilitation, nonpoint source watershed modeling, watershed management planning, and urban stream assessment projects. She received a BS in Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MS and PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Washington and University of Vermont respectively. Maeve's current work involves riparian restoration, rain gardens, and urban stormwater solutions. Her other interests include her son, organic gardening and teaching yoga.
maeve @ecoSEEDS.org
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Mike Powers
Area: Energy & Environmental Analysis
Mike has worked as an advocate and organizer for over ten years from neighborhood projects near Chicago along the Dupage River to work in Yellowstone National Park to advocacy in Portland, OR, with Public Interest Research Groups. Before SEEDS, he led a Greenpeace campaign in Michigan engaging communities around the impacts of climate change in the Great Lakes. To balance all of the cerebral intensity of organizing campaigns, Mike and his partner rock a catering company, Fresh Local and Organic. He believes in a well rounded education and has always learned best through doing thus he has worked as a carpenter, strawbale builder, renewable energy technician, farm hand, sawmill operator, chef, butcher, and massage therapist. He is also certified to provide CPR and First Aid trainings. powers @ecoSEEDS.org
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Solomon Townsend, EIT
Area: Energy & Environmental Analysis
Solomon is a Mechanical Engineer/ Energy Analyst helping institutions understand their resource consumption choices. Since a young age he has had an intense interest in understanding how things work and improving them, which led him to pursue engineering. Solomon has a diverse background including a broad exposure to a number of engineering disciplines, construction, economics, and business. Before joining SEEDS, he worked for ten years in mechanical design and project engineering with an emphasis in system optimization. Outside of work he enjoys biking, kayaking, surfing, camping, and doing almost anything outdoors. solomon @ecoSEEDS.org
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Tara Ward, MSNR
Area: Education
Tara's background is varied, with skills in organizational development, fundraising, organizing, and her passion, science and environmental education. Tara grew up in California, France, and Minnesota, worked for eleven years at the nonprofit Ecology Center in Ann Arbor and has developed curriculum from Traverse City for the past ten years. She has a BS in Biology and Biophysical Environmental Studies from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, and an MS in Natural Resources from the University of Michigan, with emphases in Environmental Education and Advocacy. Her hobbies are birdwatching, botanizing, and her wonderful children. tara @ecoSEEDS.org
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Bill Watson
Area: Youth Development
Bill has worked with youth since 2001. His passion for his work with young people has helped him spearhead creative partnerships that provide benefits on many levels - for youth, local business, a region's natural environment, and the larger community. He is also an experienced anger management and domestic violence group facilitator. In his former lives, Bill was a chef, an itinerant scuba diver and spearfisherman, a carpenter, and a guy who walked into the woods for days with only a pack and sleeping mat on his back. Now his camping experiences involve being a sherpa for his wife and boys. bwatson @ecoSEEDS.org
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Administrative Assistants
Sarah Garrity
Sarah is the Communications Coordinator at the SEEDS Headwaters office. She has a BFA from Alma College with an emphasis in scientific Illustration and minor in Biology. She plans to continue her education by pursing a Masters Degree. This position provides her with an in-depth look into the non-profit world. Born and raised in Traverse City, MI, Sarah has been able to spend the seasons kayaking, roller-blading, sailing, camping, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. These outdoor experiences have had an influence on her artwork and attitude towards life! sarahg @ecoSEEDS.org
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Renee Herman
Renee has happily joined the SEEDS team to wear an assortment of hats. She is currently the new Coordinator and Fundraiser for this year's Great Lakes Bioneers, the paperwork-tracking maven for all SEEDS staff, and a teacher for the Frankfort (Michigan) Glee Club. After earning a BA in Music from Berklee College of Music (Boston) and spending ten years in Los Angeles where she developed her administrative and organizational skills in the non-profit world, Renee is happy to return to her northern Michigan homeland, where she is reveling in the bounty of lakes, forests, and delicious food, and dipping her toes into the thriving local music scene. renee @ecoseeds.org
Christine Sleeman
Christine joined SEEDS in January 2010 and has been very busy keeping track of all the SEED-lings! Born in Detroit and raised among the woods and shores of Lake Michigan in Traverse City, her interest in science, dance, and art led her to study at Western Michigan University where she earned a BS in Biology. After college she set off to the West for adventures in Montana, Bainbridge Island in Puget Sound, and Seattle, working in horticulture, science education , and environmental health research. She returned to the Great Lakes in 2002 and spent 5 years combining her love of botany and art as a floral designer and gardener. Her favorite hobbies are napping with her pets, watching lots of movies, world travel, and making jewelry. She shares a wonderful home with her partner and the Lincoln St. Beagles & Cats. admin @ecoSEEDS.org
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SEEDS After School Program Coordinators
Kara Bontrager
Forest Area Middle School
Kara is a native “Yooper” who relocated to the Kalkaska area in 2006. In November 2009, Kara joined SEEDS as a VISTA member and works at SEEDS After School at Kalkaska Middle School. In 2010, Kara received her BS in Liberal Studies from Grand Valley State University. You can usually find Kara spending time with her wonderful husband and son, curled up with a book or a movie, trying out a new recipe, or soaking up as much warm sunshine as northern Michigan will provide. kara @ecoSEEDS.org
Michelle "Mo" Denoyer, BASW
Kalkaska High School & Northside Educational Center
After growing up in the Traverse City area, Mo has settled in Mancelona with her partner for life, exploring the woods and waterways in Antrim County. Mo came to SEEDS with seven years’ experience working with youth in areas such as life skills coaching, team building, and case management. She enjoys spending time with students, helping them to understand that each is beautiful in their own way, and her passion is fueled by the often colorful stories unique to each student. Mo earned her BA degree in Social Work from Ferris State University and will return to graduate school in Fall 2011 to pursue a counseling degree, one more step on her path toward her dream of creating a haven for wayward youth. In her free time she enjoys kayaking, quadding (riding ATVs), hiking, and gardening. When the north is blanketed in white you will find her on the slopes or exploring the woods by snow machine or snow shoes. mo @ecoSEEDS.org
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Jana Lanning
Kalkaska County Outreach
Jana has a great love for Kalkaska County from its people right down to its Ellsworth Shale bedrock. Her three children graduated from Kalkaska Public Schools and she has worked with Kalkaska students and families for 15 years. She has a BS Summa Cum Laude from Grand Valley State University. From early childhood, Jana has loved creeks and woodlands and now regularly picks her food fresh from woods and field.
jana @ecoSEEDS.org
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Amelia Mayhew, MSW
Suttons Bay High School
Amelia was born in Montana and moved with her family to Michigan when she was two. Amelia spent her formative years in Northport, MI, and earned a BA in Social Work from Michigan State University. After working for two years at Child and Family Services in Traverse City, Amelia and her best friend quit their jobs and went on a month-long backpacking excursion in Europe. Back in the States, Amelia went to graduate school in Portland, Oregon, where she received her Masters in Social Work. After three grueling years working as a case manager at the Department of Human Services in Oregon and accomplishing her life’s goal of skydiving, Amelia decided to head home to Michigan. amelia @ecoSEEDS.org
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Ben Parsons
Brethren Middle School & High School
Ben was born and raised in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula on the Keweenaw Peninsula. He grew up on an organic farm, so he learned to appreciate the relationship between humans and the natural world from an early age. Ben attended school in Kalamazoo, at Western Michigan University where he received degrees in Environmental Studies and Environmental Analysis and Resource Management. ben @ecoSEEDS.org
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Nate Shivlie
Kalkaska Middle School
Nate was born into the hills and spills of Michigan's Northern Lower Peninsula. A peaceful upbringing amongst the woods and water of Missaukee County sent him to Western Michigan University to earn a teaching degree. Following graduation, he embarked on a two year journey throughout the continental United States, working with the wind industry in Wyoming, re-building houses in Mississippi, washing dishes in Washington, catching crabs in Oregon, and making friends along the way. He recently earned an English teaching endorsement from Baker College. In his spare time, led by the divine, he writes rhymes, walks and floats rivers and shorelines, plays basketball, and embraces the changing times.
nateshivlie @ecoSEEDS.org
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Dan Shoup
Frankfort Middle School & High School
Dan was born and raised in Northern Michigan, and grew up in beautiful Old Town Traverse City. An adventurer at heart, Dan lit out on the road the day after graduating high school in pursuit of adventure (and a girl). After time in such disparate places as Alaska and New Jersey, following said adventure (and girl), Dan settled back in Northern Michigan with two dogs and his best friend (the girl). Because building a house wasn’t enough to keep them busy, they decided to fill the house to the brim and now share space with three wonderful girls. In his free time, you’ll find Dan with his family outdoors, cooking for friends indoors, or playing his guitar in either place. dan @ecoSEEDS.org
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Josh Stoltz
Benzie Central Middle School & High School
Josh was born in Traverse City and raised in the woods and wetlands of Northern Michigan by his city-hippy-dad and farmer-redneck-ma. After graduating from Central Michigan University with a degree in Broadcasting and Cinematic Arts, Marketing, and Advertising, he moved out West to chase his own tale and soon discovered his knack for building relationships. During his twenties, Josh opened several companies throughout Arizona and Florida before calling it quits just prior to turning 30. He spent the next couple years semi-retired, living on a school bus named The Future that was painted like the Earth and traveling the country. In 2007 he married his soulmate, bought a house without tires or a steering wheel, and became the proud step-father of a now teenage boy, Isaac. In his spare time, Josh likes to tell stories or sleep. josh @ecoSEEDS.org
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Kevin Summers
Manistee High School
Kevin’s students will tell you that he is a very serious person. They don’t know about his other life as a performance artist and backwoods homesteader. He began working with youth as part of a community garden project in Pittsburgh, PA, while completing his undergraduate degree. He then taught first through third grade in Camden, NJ. Before recently returning to Northern Michigan, Kevin presented a review of his work integrating art, science, and music in Camden at the joint conference of the Acoustical Society of America and the European Acoustics Association in Paris, France. Kevin is also the administrator for the Don Dohler fan page on Facebook. ksummers @ecoSEEDS.org
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SEEDS After School Program Support Staff
Marc Alderman
S.T.E.M. Specialist
(Science Engineering, Math and Technology)
Marc Alderman is using his skills as a musician, scientist, educator, and community builder for SEEDS After School Program sites. Marc grew up in Northern Michigan where he graduated from Glen Lake Community Schools. He went on to receive a BA in percussion performance from Alma College and later a BS in education from Central Michigan University. He continues to be an active performing musician throughout the Midwest with the reggae band FunDubMentals and the jam band Soul Patch. He founded Rhythmic Adventures, a drum circle facilitation service, and has exposed thousands of students to the joy and cultural significance of hand drumming. He is also an avid nature enthusiast and enjoys hiking, canoeing, camping, and has recently taken up snorkeling in tropical waters.
marcalderman @ecoSEEDS.org
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Kimberly Evans
Kimberly Evans was born in Texas, but raised in Rockford Michigan. She grew up working at her family’s campground and canoe livery, and after graduating from Rockford High School, she attended Western Michigan University to obtain a degree in Secondary Education, specializing in English Language Arts and Speech. Kimberly moved up north after she graduated from WMU. She loves spending time with her two cats: Armand and Other Cat. Kimberly can always be found with a book on hand, and she loves to discuss literature and discover new books. She really enjoys working with students, and is excited to work with them in the SEEDs After School Program!
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Chelsea Hummon
Chelsea is a recent transplant to Manistee County after gathering a great deal of organizing experience traveling from mountains to deserts and lakes. Her training includes stints with PowerShift, Outward Bound School, Audubon, and the Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition. She enjoys geology, linguistics, climbing anything, cooking, painting, water, hanging out with kids and being around people. Her favorite band has been, and probably always will be, Metallica. chelsea @ecoSEEDS.org
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Resident Farmer
John Gatewood
John is currently enrolled at Northwestern Michigan College pursuing a degree in engineering. He was born and raised in Traverse City. John has worked at the greenhouses of the Werp Farms and has marketed his own produce at the Frankfort Farmers Market. He plans on using his engineering skills combined with his farming skills to create his own farm venture. john @ecoSEEDS.org
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VISTA Members (Volunteers in Service to America)
Kayla Bates
Kayla's life has come full circle. Raised in Benzie County, she is a graduate of Benzie Central High School. She finds herself at Benzie again, this time working as a VISTA member for SEEDS after school. In between, Kayla attended the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. Kayla enjoys ultimate frisbee, reading, baking, and being outside in beautiful Northern Michigan whenever possible.
kayla @ecoSEEDS.org
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Greta Bell
A native of Leelanau County, Greta Bell earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Michigan State University. Since graduation Greta has done a variety of work with children, including serving as a lead preschool teacher, activities director, tutor, and mentor. Raised with a love for the outdoors, Greta enjoys staying active by running, hiking, and playing sports. greta @ecoSEEDS.org
Christina Carson
Having grown up in Petoskey, Christina considers herself a tried and true Northern Michigan girl. She has a BA from the University of Michigan’s Program in the Environment, where she specialized her studies in Environmental Education. Since graduating, she has spent her years helping manage the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, serving as an AmeriCorps member with the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, working on small farms, and living in both the Dominican Republic and Ecuador. These days she couldn’t be happier to be back on the shores of the Great Lakes. In her free time, you can often find Christina exploring the local woods, cooking and baking for others, writing letters to friends near and far, biking, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and always with her camera in hand! christina @ecoSEEDS.org
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Heather Irvine
Heather is a second year vista at Forest Area High School. She was born on the marine military base of Camp Pendleton in California. Heather comes from an active military family. She moved to Traverse City as a youngster and then later moved to a small Michigan town called South Boardman where she attended Forest Area Community Schools. Heather loves her job and enjoys all the time she can get with the kids. Heather lives on a farm and loves to cook, go mudding, hang out with friends, hunt, and just have fun in her spare time. heather @ecoSEEDS.org
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Kasha Mansfield-Skurski
Kasha has been an AmeriCorps VISTA member at SEEDS After School at Brethren Middle School and High School since November 2010. She grew up nearby in a small town called Thompsonville, where she recently bought a house in order to be closer to her family. She graduated from Michigan State University in May 2010 with a BS in Zoology and a concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology. While at MSU, she was a member of the Taekwondo Club, Capoeira Club, and the MSU Novice Rowing Team. She plans on going back to school eventually to get a PhD in Restoration Ecology. Her dog was adopted from the Benzie Humane Society. She loves fighting sports, but also enjoys writing poetry. So far at SEEDS, she has led clubs in Dance and Taekwondo. kasha @ecoSEEDS.org
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Heidi Nicholas
Heidi is a VISTA member serving Benzie Central Middle School. She has a BA in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University. She was born in Tennessee but grew up in Northern Michigan and has lived in Traverse City for the past 3 years selling athletic shoes and apparel to those who know the meaning of chub rub, doubling up, and PR. In her spare time she enjoys trail running, traveling, family time, and good action movies. heidi @ecoSEEDS.org
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Sarah Nicholas
Sarah is a second year VISTA member for the Frankfort After School Program. She grew up in Metamora, MI, before heading to Alma College. She now has a BA in Exercise and Health Science, focusing on Health and Fitness. After graduation, she was a fitness specialist, personal trainer, and cross-country coach in mid-Michigan before working as a counselor/fitness instructor at a teen weight loss camp in La Jolla, CA. Sarah loves spending time with friends and family, traveling, singing, song-writing, playing guitar, the beach, working out, pictures, cooking, and going on northern MI adventures. She has spent the last year taking full advantage of life on Lake Michigan and looks forward to another year of exploring! sarahnicholas @ecoSEEDS.org
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DeAnna Romstad
In summer 2010, DeAnna spent six-and-a-half months thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail with her husband. While on the trail, she was known as Scat Tracker for her peculiar fascination with animal poop and her husband was known as UniCroc because he walked for more than 20 with one boot and one Croc to help tame the pain of an injured foot! After completing the trail, they returned to Bay City, MI, but DeAnna jumped at the opportunity to move to Kalkaska, which is surrounded by woods and hills and rivers and wildlife. She was thrilled to discover that by joining SEEDS she would become part of an organization that shares her strong personal values and has such an appreciation and respect for the outdoors, especially for our dear Mother Earth! deanna @ecoSEEDS.org
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Cameron Winright
Cameron graduated from Brethren High School in Brethren, Michigan, where he is now working for SEEDS as an Americorp VISTA. He attended Northern Michigan University and is working towards a degree in Physical Education. In his spare time he enjoys, hunting, fishing, paintball, and playing nearly any sport.