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.

Daariyon Gardner | Raised in Kalamazoo, Daariyon graduated from Western Michigan University's Frostic School of Art and loves walking the trails and taking photos at Asylum Lake Preserve. A 6th-year beekeeper, he is passionate about beekeeping and honey bees as a whole. He is also passionate about taking care of nature and enjoys learning new ways humans can engage with nature in loving ways. He is excited to bring any and all talents to both ALPA and the community.

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.

Tom Howes | Raised in rural Atlas, Michigan, Tom moved to Kalamazoo in 2002 to attend Western Michigan University's Frostic School of Art and has called the city home ever since. There, he works in the museum field and engages with his own creative practice and the broader arts community. His love for Asylum Lake Preserve taught him how local zoning shapes natural areas, and why the city needs stronger environmental protections. Tom joined ALPA's board in early 2026. Grateful for the work of those who came before him, he hopes to carry on their legacy of stewardship for this local treasure. On the rare occasions his dog isn't eagerly pulling him down the trail, he has been known to stop and enjoy the Preserve's scenery.

Judy Huxmann | Born and raised in the Chicago land and west suburbs, Judy came to Kalamazoo area in 1970 and the Preserve never really came to her attention until 2000. Moving back into the city to go back to school and work in the healing arts, Judy sought out the Preserve and spent time walking there when it was much denser and really wild. Joining ALPA in 2017, she hoped to be able to help with the physical “tending” of the preserve, which at that time meant also participating in the Asylum Lake Policy and Management Council run by WMU. There she was able to join in with the projects from working with burn crews to managing invasive species including pulling garlic mustard and caging trees and many more activities. Hoping to retire from ALPA at the end of 2026, she plans on still being around for projects and wonderful strolls on the loved trails.

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 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.

Sharon Koole | 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.

Paul MacNellis | 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.

Terra Mickolatcher | 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.

Matthew Schuld | 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.

Dok Tael Stevens | Dok is an environmental health & safety manager, who has worked in the industrial hygiene, food, chemical, metals, pharmaceutical and aerospace industries. She moved to Kalamazoo to attend Western Michigan University in 1985, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in three majors: Biology, Environmental Science and English, and a master’s degree in hydrogeology. Dok wrote/published the book, “Haven: A Treatise on Asylum Lake” in 1993 to (successfully) stop WMU from building an industrial park on the shores of Asylum Lake. Then she wrote/published, “A Concept Plan to Recycle Contaminated Commercial & Industrial Properties while Providing Experience to WMU Students,” which planted the seeds for Kalamazoo’s award-winning brownfield recovery program. After living in six other states, Dok returned to southwest Michigan to live in Plainwell for 8 years, and then fulfilled her 32-year dream to live in the Chappell-Stewart house in the Stuart Neighborhood in 2024. Dok joined the ALPA board in 2024 to continue the preserve’s protection and responsible management.