A Conservation District is a local unit of state government with statutory powers and responsibilities to carry out programs of natural resources conservation and encourage wise land management. Our Staff team works with the Board of Directors, neighboring Conservation Districts, and partnership organizations to implement environmental conservation projects.
Meet Our Staff
Brian Talsma joined the Allegan Conservation District in October of 2018. He graduated from Central Michigan University with a B.S. in Biology with a focus on Natural Resources. Before joining us, he worked as an intern at a black bear sanctuary in Minnesota, taught high school Biology in Detroit, and served as an AmeriCorps member at the Antrim Conservation District in Bellaire. He is an avid backpacker and canoeist who is excited about restoring and sustaining wild areas.
Brian previously worked as our Watershed Technician and focused on reducing sediment and nutrients in our county's rivers by securing multiple funding opportunities and exciting conservation projects. As Executive Director he hopes to continue this effort and make our District the destination for conservation expertise in Allegan County.
Mike Ludlam started with the Allegan Conservation District in October 2012 as the Allegan County MAEAP Technician. Mike graduated from Michigan State University with a B.S. in Resource and Development. In 2014 and 2020, Mike was named by The Michigan Department of Agriculture as the MAEAP Technician of the year. In 2017, he was the recipient of the MAEAP Technical Assistance award and received the Exceptional Service Award from the Ottawa Conservation District.
He and his wife, Heather, live on a 50 acre MAEAP Verified farm in Hopkins – Windswept Farms. Windswept Farms was established in 1993 when the Ludlams began raising registered Shetland and Commercial Sheep.
Emily Reichow graduated from Grand Valley State University with a B.S in Natural Resource Management. Prior to joining the Allegan Conservation District, she worked on a Conservation Corps crew on a National Wildlife Refuge in New England and as a seasonal park ranger at Saugatuck Dunes State Park. Emily grew up here in West Michigan and is passionate about protecting and restoring our waterways using an integrative approach to benefit local communities and to promote more sustainable ecosystems.
In her free time, you would find her cuddled up with a good book or spending time outdoors.
Emily Brown joined the Allegan Conservation District in March of 2022. Emily graduated from the University of Michigan and received her B.S. in Environmental Science with a focus in Conservation. Having grown up in Allegan County, she is looking forward to getting to connect with farmers and landowners to work together to protect the natural resources in an area that is close to her heart.
Emily enjoys going on hikes with her dog and taking care of all her house plants in her free time.
Meet Our Affiliate Staff
Ben Savoie earned a B.S. in Forestry from Michigan State University, specializing in Resource Management. He has spent many years in community organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, and has worked in the field for MSU and the USFS. He is passionate about community involvement in ecological restoration and improving public knowledge on conservation management.
Patrick Gordon is a Produce Safety Technician with the Berrien County Conservation District in Southwest Michigan, working primarily with growers in Allegan, Berrien, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren counties. Patrick earned his Master of Natural Resources from Virginia Tech University and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography with a specialization in environmental analysis and land management from Western Michigan University. He is excited to work with farmers in South West Michigan to improve safety in the agricultural food chain. For more information regarding produce safety, visit www.miofps.org.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Lon Koops
Chairman
Lon worked for the Natural Resources Conservation Service as an Area Civil Engineering Technician, and was on a national Disaster Assistance Relief Team (D.A.R.T.) team prior to retirement. After retirement, he worked for the United States Army Corps of Engineers as a first responder doing nationwide Disaster Relief work. Lon brings extensive experience in wetland restoration, and a strong knowledge of engineering and installation of conservation practices.
Board term through 9/2023
Kameron Jordan
Vice Chair
Kameron worked for Michigan’s Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality for 32 years, retiring in June of 2019. He has experience reviewing water related construction projects for impacts to fisheries, wildlife, botanical resources, and water quality. He is familiar with issues related to wetlands, inland Lakes and streams, floodplains, critical dunes, and high risk erosion areas.
Board term through 9/2024
Raecale Stull
HR Liaison
Raecale was born and raised in Allegan, moved to Utah in 2005, and returned to Michigan in 2016. She is a professional photographer and owns a creative media business with her husband, Brad. Raecale is a Michigan Green School Coordinator, and finds creative ways to engage youth in environmental stewardship. On her own property, Raecale raises chickens, maintains beehives, has a veggie garden, and practices subsistence farming.
Board term through 9/2026
Shanna Shearer
Treasurer
Shanna grew up in Coloma, MI on 24 acres of pasture and woods. For as long as she can remember her family had horses, dogs, and cats and she spent as much time as possible with them. Shanna and her partner Mikey are the proud owners of Hinterland Farm + Kitchen in Pullman. Shanna joined us shortly after having their farm MAEAP verified!
Board term through 9/2025
Mark Ludwig
Director at-large
Mark has worked with the Allegan Conservation District through several grants as a Conservationist and Technician. Today, Mark is a local farmer and an advocate for no-till farming practices.
Board terms through 9/2023