Michigan Audubon’s Board of Directors
Michigan Audubon is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who serve to support and advance the mission of the organization — connecting birds and people for the benefit of both through conservation, education, and research efforts in the state of Michigan.
As a group, board members meet 4–6 times yearly to provide organizational leadership by developing and reviewing board policies, communicating with the CEO, and monitoring the organization’s finances.
As individuals, board members represent Michigan Audubon in the community by sharing the organization’s goals and successes with others, helping to cultivate relationships that will bolster our endeavors to help birds and protect their habitat, and leading by example through bird-friendly choices.
As a statewide organization, Michigan Audubon aims to represent a broad range of locations through board member participation and embraces a diverse set of skills to lend support to our mission.
Board Members
Heidi Grether retired in 2018 and is enjoying her passion for birding after a successful career in both the public and private sectors where she held leadership positions in crisis response and environmental regulation. She is keenly interested in habitat preservation and passing on its importance to future generations. A mid-Michigan native, her interest in birds was fostered during childhood by her parents. Heidi lives in Williamston with her husband Ed, on Mill Pond a former borrow pit, now teaming with wildlife. In her spare time, she enjoys being outside, traveling, cooking, and working in her gardens while watching the antics of the nesting Green Herons.
Term ends March 2026
Natasha Koss received both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Northern Michigan University in wildlife biology. This led her to several biological tech positions with Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Hiawatha National Forest. Following her passion for conservation, Natasha traveled to Northwest Lower Michigan to work as an environmental consultant in the Traverse City area. Natasha’s passion for nonprofit work fully launched when she was hired as a fundraiser for the Leelanau Conservancy to protect some of the region’s most sensitive habitats. As a committed advocate for the Great Lakes, Natasha landed in Marquette with the Superior Watershed Partnership fundraising and managing a variety of watershed protection and energy projects. Also during this time, Natasha sat on Marquette’s Planning Commission and served on the Board of Directors for Michigan Audubon. Currently, Natasha helps small businesses start and grow as a fundraiser for nonprofit Northern Initiatives and sits on the Marquette Chamber of Commerce and Presque Isle Park Advisory Committee. Most days, Natasha can be found fully unplugged either trail running, mountain biking, or skiing with friends, husband Matt or daughter Elsa (and almost always with dog Marty) on a section of nearly 100 miles of singletrack trails in Marquette County.
Term ends March 2026
From an early age, Sam Burckhardt had a keen interest in birds and nature, as well as in music. Sam never lost his interest in birds and became involved in the birding community in Chicago. He served on the board of the Chicago Ornithological Society for several years and led many field trips for various organizations. He also helped initiate a school program “Birds In My Neighborhood,” for Chicago Public Schools, to expose grade- school children to birds. Over the years, he worked on various bird censuses. Sam is also involved in eBird, as reviewer for records covering Switzerland. He takes a particular interest in the Kirtland’s Warbler and became a member of the Kirtland’s Warbler Conservation Team. In 2018 and 2019 he participated in Nathan Cooper’s study on Brown-headed Cowbird parasitization of Kirtland’s Warbler nests. In 2025, he was elected to the Board of Directors of Huron Pines. Sam and his husband, Richard Wilson, live in Wilber Township outside of East Tawas.
Term ends March 2026
Bill teaches law at the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University in Detroit and serves on the board of the Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance. He has also served on boards for the Detroit Historical Society, a Detroit theater group, financial institutions, and organizations providing mental health services to the community. His committee work on these boards has been in budget and finance, human resource management, and fundraising. Bill’s special interest in Michigan Audubon springs from his 30 years of participating in the Oakland Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count. During that time, he watched the Michigan forests and fields north of Rochester become backyards. The Ring-necked Pheasants and Horned Larks are always special and seldom seen — even by these expert birders. “The struggle for vibrant wildlife habitat is not limited to Brazilian jungles and Louisiana swamps. The struggle is, literally, in our backyards,” he shared.
Term ends March 2028
David grew up in Parchment, Michigan, near Kalamazoo, where he formed his deep connection to birds and the natural world through visits to the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary and Ludington. He attended the University of Michigan as an undergrad and the University of Wisconsin-Madison for his M.S. in Conservation Biology and Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology, which involved one of the first investigations of edge effects on songbird breeding success in a forested landscape. David has been a professor at Michigan Technological University for 24 years and dean of the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science for about two years. He has conducted bird-centered research for 30 years in Michigan, Wisconsin, Hawaii, New Zealand, and much of Latin America. He has published 85 peer-reviewed papers on topics related to bird ecology and conservation, given dozens of scientific and public talks, and serves on the boards of several regional conservation organizations. For over 20 years, he led a field ornithology class, which involved a weekend trip to Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, where he saw his first Lark Bunting, Wilson’s Plover, and Spruce Grouse. He enjoys birding with friends and family, biking, Nordic skiing, and carpentry.
Term ends March 2027
Megan is an avid birder and current Ph.D. candidate specializing in avian ecology and conservation. With a focus on understanding the consequences of anthropogenic activity on wild birds, her research delves into the relationships between human activity and avian populations. Her experience spans from birding to research and from falconry to bird banding. She has been involved in numerous bird banding projects ranging from Golden-winged Warbler breeding ecology to Rough-legged Hawk movement ecology. As a falconer and avian trainer, she has experience working with birds in various capacities, including education and wildlife rehabilitation. In addition to her work with wild birds, she also serves as a poultry judge, evaluating birds at various exhibitions across the Midwest. Megan’s commitment to avian conservation and accessible science is a fundamental aspect of her work.
Term ends March 2027
Lynn retired from teaching in 2022, having taught everything from physical science to ecology. In addition to his passion for biological research, his biggest project was starting and maintaining the district’s Science Olympiad program. Keeping middle school and high school girls involved in science-based education was a focal point while running the program, and he is proud of all the students’ efforts. After receiving his master’s in environmental sustainability management, Lynn worked to inject this into his district, successfully expanding district recycling. Before teaching, Lynn participated in what was, at that time, the largest passerine research project ever in Wyoming, helping a graduate student map bird locations and occurrences along with vegetation habitat. After that, Lynn participated in Birds Without Borders at two locations in Wisconsin through the Milwaukee Zoological Society. Upon completing the BWB project, Lynn was lucky enough to work as a seasonal bird bander for WPBO, stationed at Vermilion in 2000. His love for birds was set for life through these experiences. Having found a home near Whitefish Point, Lynn, his wife Caren, and their Australian shepherd Louie happily witness the beauty of Lake Superior daily.
Term ends March 2027
Linnea is the Great Lakes Private Lands Director for the American Bird Conservancy, where she oversees a team of foresters and biologists who collectively act to restore and enhance bird habitat at a landscape scale. With her background in wildlife and conservation biology and more than 15 years working in avian conservation, she brings a broad range of skills and knowledge to the board. Linnea is a former Michigan Audubon staff member (Conservation Program Coordinator 2018–2021) who continues to incorporate the core tenets of our mission (conservation, research, and education) into her work and life as a whole. Linnea has a B.S. in Wildlife and Conservation Biology from the University of Rhode Island, and an M.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Science from The Ohio State University. She currently serves on the board for the Camp UniStar Foundation, which operates a family camp in northern Minnesota, and has served on the boards of the Indian River Lakes Conservancy and Northern New York Audubon in the past. Linnea is an avid birder and enjoys exploring new areas in Michigan, combining her love for hiking, camping, and birding.
Term ends March 2026
Ray Stocking is a self-taught bird enthusiast and dedicated conservationist. He is passionate about protecting wildlife and fostering environmental awareness. He has 15+ years of combined volunteer experience with Michigan Audubon and the Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance. His deep appreciation for nature fuels his commitment to birdwatching, conservation advocacy, and educating others about the importance of preserving ecosystems. Beyond his environmental work, Ray has a strong history of volunteering with nonprofits, including 10+ years of educational outreach to senior citizens in Southeast Michigan. His dedication to service is evident in his efforts to support vulnerable communities and enhance lifelong learning opportunities. With a background in program management and education, Ray excels in organizing events, engaging audiences, and connecting people with nature.
Term ends March 2028