Meet Our Staff

Office Manager (734) 997-1553

Karen Rendell

Karen and her husband moved to the Ann Arbor area in 2007 and has been at LSNC since April. Karen has a BS in Park, Recreation & Tourism with an emphasis in Interpretation from Michigan State University. She has worked at various environmental education programs throughout the U.S. teaching environmental education and leading adventure courses. Karen enjoys hiking, biking and gardening.

Raptor Specialist & Camp Director (734) 997-1075

Francie Krawcke

Francie’s dad once asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up… “Happy” was her reply. Little did he know that meant getting a degree from Northern Michigan University, discovering miraculous things in the natural world with kids (of all ages) and working with birds, raptors to be specific. If that isn’t enough to fill the day, Francie can be found either with her dog Skye, sailing, camping/backpacking or completing a major life goal to visit all the states…just 4 more to go!

Director (734) 997-1075

Kirsten Levinsohn

Kirsten has been at the Center since 1989, first as an intern working 10 hours a week and was the only staff at the time. She has loved watching and being a part of the tremendous growth over the years! Kirsten has a Masters in elementary and early childhood education and taught elementary school for 6 years prior to moving to Michigan. Kirsten’s interests include ice hockey, biking, and backpacking. She and her husband, Jim, have two college age sons.

Education Director (734) 997-1553

Amanda Lodge

Amanda graduated from Allegheny college in 1999 with an environmental science degree. She started at LSNC in 2000 as a program coordinator. Amanda looks forward and enjoys wee little surprises such as tiny insects hiding on blades of grass, tadpoles swimming in the water, miniature flowers, cecilia (her daughter), and so much more. This isn't the end of Amanda's story, because she also likes exploring, hiking, laughing with children, the way the sun turns the world crazy colors in the morning and the evening, and chocolate.

Critter Room Care Coordinator (734) 994-1692

Pam Bailey

Program Coordinators

Rita Clinthorne
Rita has lived in Ann Arbor for 32 years, has three children, one grandchild, and she has been married to her husband Neal since 1984. She has Associates Degrees from Washtenaw Community College and Eastern Michigan University. Rita has worked at Leslie Science and Nature Center since 1991, but also works in the Washtenaw County Parks and volunteers with the Ann Arbor Public Schools. One of her favorite hobbies is photography and she loves just being outside (unless it is 40 degrees and raining).

Joe Reilly

Joe Reilly has been an environmental educator for over 12 years, working at the Kalamazoo Nature Center and for the Chicago Park District before joining the LSNC staff in 2005. Joe uses his skills as a singer and songwriter to help children investigate and celebrate the natural world. In 2007, with the help of staff and campers from LSNC, Joe released a CD of environmental songs for kids called Children of the Earth. Joe's favorite tree is the Bur Oak, Quercus Macrocarpa, and his favorite animal is a monkey.

Mary Strickler

Mary is originally from Iowa and moved to Michigan three years ago. She has been married to her husband Doug for 23 years and has three children. Mary received a Bachelor of Science in Education and MSE from Western Illinois University. Mary started out as a middle school science teacher and in 2004, she earned a Master's of Arts degree in Educational Administration from the University of Iowa.

Stefan Szumko - In 1993 Stefan received a BA in anthropology from the University of Michigan, Teaching Certification in General Science (grades 7-12) in 1998 from Eastern Michigan University, and in 2004 from the University of Phoenix a MAED in Curriculum and Technology. Stefan has been teaching classroom science and outdoor environmental education for 20 years. His eight years at LSNC have been interspersed with three years at Ramstein Air Base in Germany and two years in Fairfax, Virginia. Stefan and his family have traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States, exploring ecosystems along the way. Stefan is also the president and founder of the Washtenaw Volkssporting Club which hosts walking events throughout southeastern Michigan. In June of 2005, Stefan was the first male to win the "Sydney G. Ellis Spouse Award" at the United States Air Force Squadron Officer School. Stefan brings an infectious enthusiasm to every program he leads.

Laura Kaplan

Laura Kaplan holds a bachelors degree in Geological Sciences and a masters in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, both from the University of Michigan. Her work in the sciences has taken her on many exciting adventures over the years, from mapping the geology of western Ireland to documenting the nesting behaviors of birds on the California coast. Before working for LSNC, Laura was a biology instructor at Schoolcraft College and an outreach education specialist for the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. She is also currently the environmental educator for the Ecology Center. Laura loves cooking, singing, yoga, and spending time outside. She doesn't like wearing shoes. And if you ask her nicely, she just might bake you some amazing vegan cupcakes, one of her favorite treats

Lauren LaRocca

Lauren graduated from the University of Michigan where she studied two things she loves: the environment and rocks! Lauren is a total bookworm and things libraries are ultra exciting. She absolutely loves cooking and considers the Food Network to be the best television channel. Life motivates her and yoga calms her. Lauren would be incomplete without cheese, beautifully ripened tomatoes, tangy oranges, and fresh raspberries. Jar jar is the coolest animal in the critter room hands-down.

Jessie Spalding - Not too long ago there was a girl named Jessie -

    (Whose family and coworkers agree she can be quite messy.)

    She lived in the state of Washington most of her life,

    Enjoying the water, the mountains, the tree so rife.

    "You can't beat," she said with glee,

    "standing on the mountains and seeing the sea."

    She went to school there, learning to teach kids

    while running around outside and trying to keep on their lids.

    One day, her family said, "Hon, it's time for a change...

    I want to see what's on the other side of that mountain range."

    They packed up their things and moved out east.

    (It was a long drive, to say the least!)

    She's a Michigan girl now, playing outside with new friends,

    new plants, new animals, new habitats to no end.

Bob Voakes

Bob is from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and received his BA in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management from Northern Michigan University in 2007. Bob is a member of National Association of Interpretation, Wilderness Education Association and has taken classes in wildland firefighting. He completed an internship at LSNC during the summer of 2007. After finishing his internship, Bob was offered a Program Coordinator position. Before working at LSNC he worked for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Park and Recreation Division and also worked a year in the Michigan Civilian Conservation Corps. Bob has continued to pursue an interest in black and white photography he gained in college. Bob enjoys biking, golfing, bowling, hiking, camping and strolling around. His favorite vegetable is the cucumber.

Etta King

During the winter, Etta King (aka Clivus Multrum) hibernates in Waltham, MA at Brandeis University where she throws herself into the academic rigors of Education, Social Policy and the global hip-hop movement. When she is not at LSNC hanging out with the hissing cockroaches and the Redbud Trees, she spends her time dancing, hiking, reading and completing an extensive watercolor study of the native plants of Black Pond Woods. Etta enjoys Arnold Palmers, vegan nuggets and crisp fall mornings. She is the proud founding member of the Leslie Science and Nature Center Boogie Woogie Dance Party Club (LSNCBWDPC).