our mission
To serve, protect, and restore Asylum Lake Preserve as a high-quality ecosystem through active stewardship, public engagement, and environmental advocacy. Through this work, we ensure the integrity of the nature preserve for passive recreation, education and research, and – above all – for nature itself.
board members
Tom Howes | Born and raised in rural Atlas, Michigan, Tom moved to Kalamazoo in 2002 to attend Western Michigan University's Frostic School of Art. After graduating, he made the city his home, working as a museum professional, maintaining an art practice, and staying involved in the arts community. His love for Asylum Lake Preserve and its role in Kalamazoo drew him into civic advocacy, and he has since pushed for zoning innovations and other ordinances that protect natural areas. Grateful to the many people who have cared for the Preserve before him, Tom joined ALPA's board in early 2026.
Jimmy Lane | Originally from Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Olivia joined the ALPA board in October 2026 as a new Kalamazoo resident looking to ground herself further within the community. Located in the Vine neighborhood, she quickly discovered the nearby gem that is the Asylum Lake Preserve and frequents the preserve to slow down and reconnect to her surroundings. Olivia currently works as a Project Coordinator for an Indigenous soil health program run by Michigan State University Extension and is excited to bring these knowledge(s) into the preserve. She is passionate about environmental education and believes that the better people know their surroundings, the more they are inspired to care for them.
Josh Kieser | Born and raised in rural Atlas, Michigan, Tom moved to Kalamazoo in 2002 to attend Western Michigan University's Frostic School of Art. After graduating, he made the city his home, working as a museum professional, maintaining a studio practice, and staying involved in the local arts community. His love for Asylum Lake Preserve and its role in Kalamazoo drew him into civic advocacy, and he has since pushed for zoning innovations and other ordinances that protect natural areas.
Olivia Craig | Originally from Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Olivia joined the ALPA board in October 2026 as a new Kalamazoo resident looking to ground herself further within the community. Located in the Vine neighborhood, she quickly discovered the nearby gem that is the Asylum Lake Preserve and frequents the preserve to slow down and reconnect to her surroundings. Olivia currently works as a Project Coordinator for an Indigenous soil health program run by Michigan State University Extension and is excited to bring these knowledge(s) into the preserve. She is passionate about environmental education and believes that the better people know their surroundings, the more they are inspired to care for them.
Wendy Denning | Born and raised in rural Atlas, Michigan, Tom moved to Kalamazoo in 2002 to attend Western Michigan University's Frostic School of Art. After graduating, he made the city his home, working as a museum professional, maintaining a studio practice, and staying involved in the local arts community. His love for Asylum Lake Preserve and its role in Kalamazoo drew him into civic advocacy, and he has since pushed for zoning innovations and other ordinances that protect natural areas.
Nicole Holmes | Born and raised in Southwest Michigan, Nicole developed a lifelong appreciation for nature and wildlife through time spent exploring the outdoors. After several years in Southern California, she returned to Michigan with a renewed appreciation for the region’s natural spaces and the importance of protecting them. Professionally, Nicole works in healthcare leadership and joined the ALPA board in 2026 with a desire to apply her skills and experience toward a cause she finds deeply meaningful. She believes that protecting wildlife and preserving natural habitats is among the most important responsibilities we have as modern humans and is passionate about ensuring that places like Asylum Lake Preserve thrive for generations to come.
Olivia Craig | Wendy Denning | Daariyon Gardner | Nicole Holmes | Tom Howes (Secretary) | Judy Huxmann (Treasurer) | Josh Kieser (President) | Sharon Koole | Jimmy Lane | Paul MacNellis | Terra Mickolatcher | Matthew Schuld | Dok Stevens
Past board members: Susan Andress, Will Hazen, Mark Hoffmann, Lauri Holmes, John Kreuzer, David Nesius, Paul Scott, Sherry Sims, and Donna Tellam
How ALPA Began
The Asylum Lake Preservation Association (ALPA) formed in December 1990 when citizens across Kalamazoo united to oppose Western Michigan University's proposal to build a business, research, and light industrial park on land south of Parkview Avenue – including parcels that legislative conveyance restrictions reserved for public park, recreation, or open space use. Through petition drives gathering thousands of signatures, packed City Commission and Board of Trustees meetings, a cable-access television program, and a city-wide telephone survey, ALPA rallied neighborhood associations, environmental groups, students, and elected officials. The coalition even researched and wrote its own counter-proposal for a more appropriate "research-only" park – all to oppose a plan that permitted manufacturing, truck traffic, and development on the protected Asylum Lake property WMU had promised to leave untouched. Our grass-roots effort continues today alongside City and State leaders, and there's much more to the story. Check out the links below to go more in depth.