Staff
Executive Director
Dave is experienced in river conservation, solid waste management, brownfield remediation, and the gamut of environmental laws and regulations.
Dave earned a B.S. in Biology from Marietta College, an M.S. in Forestry from the University of Maine, and a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Dave practiced environmental law for 25 years with Cors & Bassett, LLC. and has served on the boards of several environmental organizations.
Bennett Kottler
Restoration Director
Bennett has a long history of work in environmental protection, air quality planning, engineering, and remediation. He has worked as an environmental site assessor, consultant, instructor/trainer, urban forestry commission member, and professor of science education and environmental studies. He loves all things food and music and plays guitar and banjo.
Bennett earned B.A. in Biology from Boston University and both a Master’s and Ph.D. from Cornell University in Environmental Toxicology.
Linda Keller
Finance Director
Linda has a strong background in community and nonprofit work, which began when she served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Ecuador focusing on soil conservation, erosion control, gardening, and small animal husbandry. Since then she has worked in family literacy, technology education, and program management. In her free time, you’ll find her in her garden or behind a potters wheel.
Linda earned a B.F.A. in Ceramic Sculpture and an M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Cincinnati.
Katrina Weiss
Development Director
Katrina graduated from Mount St. Joseph University with a B.A. in English and History. After nearly 20 years in the optical world, she’s amassed an ever-growing collection of eyeglasses—which you'll likely notice any time you see her. She’s a vinyl collector, an antique hunter with her husband Tony, and a road-trip enthusiast. While not exactly outdoorsy, she loves getting outside—especially when it involves helping her community. You can also find her cheering loudly (and proudly) for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Beth Himburg
Director of Programs
Beth has B.S. in Biology and Environmental Studies from the University of Cincinnati and a Graduate Certificate in Natural Resource Management from Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education. She has spent time working in community organizing, invasive species research, outdoor recreation, leading teams and managing projects. She is passionate about native plants, diverse ecosystems, and building resilient & connected communities. In addition, she loves traveling, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, baking, playing music, and spending time outside with friends.
Rufaro Bulathsinghalage
Education Program Manager
Rufaro earned a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Cincinnati. She is passionate about educating communities on the importance of the outdoors and empowering young people to appreciate the environment and find their place within it. She plans to integrate her love for the environment with legislation to further educate, protect and advocate for the Earth and its natural resources. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, baking, spending time outdoors, and being with her family and friends. g time with her family and friends.
Maggie Shears
Restoration Program Assistant
Maggie recently graduated from Xavier University with a B.S. in environmental science. She assisted with research of trapping and surveying procedures of native and invasive insect species in the Greater Cincinnati area and interned as a zookeeper with primates, big cats, and bears. Her love for animals and the outdoors influence Maggie’s passion for restoration, conservation, and environmental justice.
In her free time, Maggie enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time outside listening and watching for birds, bugs, and plant life.
Gretchen Neiberding
Education Program Assistant
Gretchen recently earned a B.S. in education from the University of Cincinnati. Her experience ranges from teaching social studies in schools as a student teacher to working with youth outdoors on gardening and invasive species removal projects.
In her free time, Gretchen enjoys hiking, taking photos, and considers herself a serious upcycler. She looks forward to sharing the history and diversity of the Mill Creek while encouraging curiosity about the natural world.
Interns
Izzy Leisgang
Blue Team Lab Leader, 2025-26
Izzy finished her B.S. degree in Biology at the University of Cincinnati and is currently finishing her master's thesis at UC. Her thesis uses environmental DNA and land cover usage to understand fish biodiversity in southwest Ohio. She has worked as a graduate assistant at the UC Field Center, assisting in various projects such as invasive species removal, plant distribution surveys in the field center prairies, and freshwater macroinvertebrate assessments. She is passionate about ecology and evolution, conservation and restoration, and environmental education. Izzy loves food, travel, her dog, aquascaping, and participating in all outdoor activities.
To reach a staff member, click HERE to send us a message. We will be in touch shortly.
Board of Directors
Michele Gottschlich, Chair
Retired, American Red Cross
Joe Bunke, Treasurer
Retired, Cincinnati Federal
Savings & Loan
Greg Bechtel, Secretary
Retired, GE Aviation
Robert Ashbrock, Director at Large
City of Reading Resident
Larry Falkin, Director at Large
Retired, MSD of Greater Cincinnati
Peter “Zeb” Acuff
Metroparks of Butler County
Chris Caldemeyer
Retired, The Seven Hills Schools
Chris Carr
University of Cincinnati
John Creech
City of Sharonville
Darryl Franklin
North Fairmount Resident
Elizabeth Horton
Advanced Testing Laboratory
Honorable Mayor Ruby Kinsey-Mumphrey, Village of Lincoln Heights
Oliver Kroner
City of Cincinnati Office of Environment & Sustainability
Brendon Leeker
General Electric
John Mangan
Hamilton Co Soil & Water Conservation District
Bradford Mank
University of Cincinnati College of Law
Travis Miller
OKI Regional Council of Governments
Jerry Noble
Pepper Construction
Patricia O’Connor
Retired
Brewster Rhoads
Brewster Rhoads and Associates
Charles G. Skidmore
Law Offices of Charles G. Skidmore
Emeritus Directors
Dave Buesking
Dan Crago
Mike Fremont
Stanley Hedeen
John Hunter
Steve Johns
Bruce Koehler
Michael Miller
Kevin Reynolds
Jerald Robertson
Stiney Vonderhaar