Our Staff
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Meija Knafl
Meija leads nature programming in-field, and in-classroom for all ages, coordinates with partner organizations to present to communities, and is always promoting the health of local streams and rivers of private and public land throughout the watershed. Meijia says she joined RRWC because she loves being able to connect people with nature and that she is passionate about protecting Michigan’s freshwater resources.
Meija also enjoys fencing! She fences in both modern and historical styles at the Ann Arbor Sword Club, and even teaches private lessons. She also volunteers to participate in controlled ecological burns and loves to bike in the warmer seasons of the year.
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Lydia Lopez
Lydia works on everything from representing RRWC at conferences and meetings, to creating information content, and helping our Outreach Coordinator host events. Lydia says her favorite aspect of being a part of RRWC is the opportunity to do a wide assortment of tasks and learn something new every single day.
Outside of RRWC, Lydia is a small business co-owner of a local zero-waste store, as well as a senior, majoring in Environmental Science, at Siena Heights University. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and her partner on his family farm.
Steve hosts many RRWC’s meetings, works with partner organizations to further RRWC’s outreach and goals, coordinates with Farmer-Led Coordination, grants and education.
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Benny works on meeting minutes, inviting communities and members to events, updating RRWC’s website, adding new contacts, and attending and representing RRWC in meetings. She does it all! Benny joined RRWC with the intention of making a difference in her local community and contributing to something bigger than herself.
Benny is new to the watershed as she just moved here in August of 2021 all the way from Seattle, Washington! She has self published a poetry book and has many hobbies including photography, graphic design, video games, writing, and making jewelry.
Isabelle primarily manages our social media pages and attends outreach events. Isabelle first joined RRWC as an Outreach Intern in the summer, and fell in love with the organization and its goals. Isabelle says her favorite part of the job is connecting the community with the watershed environment and understanding the interrelations of human and environmental health.
Isabelle is currently studying Environmental Science as a junior at Siena Heights University. She enjoys running, reading mysteries, spending time with her nieces and nephews, and going to the beaches of West Michigan (where she grew up).
Executive Committee
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Harry Sheehan
Chair
Chief Deputy Water Resources Commissioner Representative
Washtenaw County
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John Calhoun
Vice Chair
Columbia Township Treasurer
& Jackson County Representative
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KZ Bolton
Treasurer
County Commissioner & Lenawee County Representative
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Sybil Kolon
Secretary
Manchester Township Representative
Washtenaw County
Harry works to develop and manage grants, he’s also the timekeeper and “chief cat herder of the Executive Committee!” Harry says he joined RRWC because of the organization’s high performing ability, geared toward conservation and outreach as well as its potential to grow in capacity to influence and protect the River Raisin.
Outside of RRWC, Harry enjoys hiking, soccer tourism, and canoeing (whilst avoiding mosquitos)! Harry also joined the Peace Corps in Nepal from 1990-1992. He is also Washtenaw County’s Chief Deputy Water Resources Commissioner.
John assists in grant approvals, outreach meeting coordinations, and public relations. Having grown up on the River Raisin, and now living on Clark Lake, John cares deeply about the watershed and its health.
John loves to fish on local lakes and the western Lake Erie basin, hunt, and is the President of the Brooklyn Sportsman's Club, the “best sporting clay course in Southern Michigan!” John is also lay minister and an elected township official.
Sybil is a diligent meeting minute manager. She also attends regular and semi-annual meetings and assists in RRWC activities, grants, education, and community outreach. She has lived in the watershed for 46 years and has been involved with RRWC since the 1990’s.
Sybil retired from Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, which is now known as EGLE (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy) in 2016. She has always held a special interest in connecting people, especially kids, to nature.
Members
David Hoffman
County Commissioner & Monroe County Representative
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Phil Kittridge
Cambridge Township Representative,
Lenawee County
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Trudi Cooper
Sharon Township Representative
Washtenaw County