Remy Long, Deputy Manager – Natural Area Preservation, Land Acquisition and Sustainability
Remy joins us in the newly expanded role of Deputy Manager overseeing NAP, land acquisition, and sustainability at Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. He spent the last three years working for The Conservation Fund on the City's Open Space & Parkland Preservation program – commonly known as the Greenbelt. Welcome to the NAP Family, Remy!
Phone: 734.794.6627 x43473
Inventory
Becky Hand, Stewardship Specialist
I joined NAP as a
Stewardship Specialist in 2013. I grew up in southeast Michigan, and I've
always had a strong interest in learning about nature and ecological
restoration, so that naturally led me to Ann Arbor to pursue my
bachelor's and master's degrees from U of M's School of Environment and
Sustainability. After graduating, I spent three years completing natural
resource management and restoration projects for the
Huron-Clinton Metroparks. Now, I oversee NAP’s Field Biologists and
our Inventory/Citizen Science programs, as well as our mapping projects and GIS
data. I am glad to give back to the Ann Arbor community that has given me
so much over the years.
Phone: 734.794.6627 x43476
Juliet Berger, Ornithologist
Connecting birds and people for the benefit of both is my life's work, so I'm proud to run the Breeding Bird Survey for NAP, and to share my community focus with our wildlife-loving park users. I've been President of the Washtenaw Audubon Society since 2014, and I've been working with NAP since 2016. NAP is an amazing home for bird lovers, since we work hard to restore Ann Arbor's natural areas and foster an environmental ethic within the community. It's my great honor to learn from my NAP colleagues while surveying for birds and recruiting, training, and supporting the Breeding Bird Survey volunteers.
Phone: 734.794.6627 x43478
George Hammond, Field Biologist
George came to Ann Arbor for graduate study in ecology, got a
Master's degree, then never left. He worked in the Museum of Zoology, helping
build and manage the Animal Diversity Web website, then briefly taught at EMU
before getting hired at NAP. He has been a NAP employee for just a couple of
years, but was a NAP volunteer for many years previously, inspired by the (then
new) salamander survey. He volunteered with other NAP surveys, and started
coming to public workdays as well. He says "I very happy to be organizing
the surveys that I once volunteered for. I have a new appreciation for the work
involved! There are so many small wonders in our parks, so many great things to
find. I hope you will get out into our parks and nature areas, and find the
beauty there."
Phone: 734.794.6627 x43477
Outreach
Tina Stephens, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator
Each and every day I am touched to see how much our volunteers give to protect and restore Ann Arbor’s natural areas and care for their neighborhood parks! I joined NAP in 2008 and enjoyed three years as the Adopt-A-Park coordinator. In 2012 I was honored to be hired as the Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator for NAP and Adopt-A-Park. After growing up in southeast Michigan, I attended Ferris State University and studied Recreation Management with an emphasis in Outdoor and Environmental. Working at NAP I get to express my love for Michigan, and use my talents and training to inspire in others a love of nature through volunteer efforts!
Phone: 734.794.6627 x43472
Dana Novak, Outreach Assistant
Dana
studied Environmental Science and Wildlife at The Ohio State
University, and then wandered around the states from the east coast to
the Rockies as a semi-professional volunteer before settling in Boise,
Idaho, working in the realms of storm water and environmental
consulting. The births of their two beautiful boys in 2008 gave them
a new definition of "tired" and a renewed sense of their collective
ability to make a positive impact. Dana can be found leading workdays. She says, "I challenge you all to
get out there and join us at a workday, if you haven't before - or
attend one more workday than usual! If you're like me, it will
invigorate your body and refresh your spirit."
Renee Hytinen, Communications and Special Events
After a pause, I'm back to my position editing the newsletter and helping get the word out about NAP's good works. NAP is a unique workplace—as is the NAP community at large—and I am grateful to be back working with all you great people, and excited to start this new chapter. Both of my kids were born during my previous time with NAP, and I now I am returning with elementary age kids! I'm looking forward to bringing them along to workdays and other NAP events now that they can walk and talk (and hold loppers).
Phone: 734.794.6627 x43479
Matthew Spoor, Park Steward Coordinator
Since moving to Ann Arbor in 2019, I have been in awe of what NAP provides for the citizens of this great city. Now, I get to be a part of this amazing team and could not be happier. I was born and raised in North Dakota, attended the University of North Dakota and worked in the renewable fuels industry for fifteen years. I am currently a student at Eastern Michigan University pursuing a mid-life degree in biology. I love birding, leading bird walks, removing invasive species from Ann Arbor nature areas, learning, teaching, and spending time with my kids.
Phone: 734.794.6627 x43474
Leah Jones, Outreach Assistant
Hello! I am a recent graduate of Eastern Michigan University where I studied Anthropology with a focus in Geography and Outdoor Education. I enjoy backpacking, hiking, fishing, and photography in my spare time, and the more I can bring my three boys outside with me, the better! As a life-long biophilic kinda gal, I am extremely excited to join the NAP crew and to meet all of you!
Phone: 734.794.6627 x42790
Field Crew
For the past eight years I managed natural areas and
coordinated volunteers for a land trust in the Chicagoland area. My passion for
ecological restoration is continually growing and I am eager for the
opportunity to share that passion with the residents of Ann Arbor. I hope to
see you in the field!
Phone: 734.794.6627 x43484
Brady Friss, Conservation Worker
Hi all! I am a recent graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in Fisheries and Wildlife. Within my degree I concentrated on Conservation Biology so I am extremely excited to join the conservation crew here at NAP. In my free time I enjoy getting out on the water for some fishing or wakeboarding, taking photos of wildlife, and really any activity that involves the outdoors. I am grateful to be joining such a wonderful organization and having the opportunity to continue learning about many aspects of natural resource management!
Chloe Hernandez, Conservation Worker
Hi! I graduated from Eastern Michigan University where I studied Environmental Science with a concentration in Environmental Biology. Field courses reinforced my passion for protecting our native flora and fauna. During off hours, you can find me exploring, learning to ID new plants, fungi, and butterflies. I am thrilled to be working with such wonderful people who share my interests in a city that I love!
