Staff Spotlight - Meet Penny!

For this month's Staff Spotlight, we are very excited to introduce to you our newest employee, Penny Bollin. She has joined our team as an Urban Conservation Technician. Keep reading to get to know Penny!

How long have you worked for Lucas SWCD?
I am a new hire, starting earlier this month.

What did you do prior to joining the team at Lucas SWCD?
I earned a B.S. in science education at Tri State University (currently known as Trine University) and have worked in the field of science education (formally and informally) for more than 16 years. Additionally, I have worked in and volunteered in many gardening venues including community gardens, school gardens, garden clubs and urban farms.

I was born and raised in Oregon Ohio, moved to Florida for ten years where I started my family (two sons) and then Michigan for ten more before returning to the Toledo area. My hobbies and activities include walking and training my dogs, gardening, volunteering, camping, kayaking, and baking for family and friends. More recently, I have enjoyed spending time with the newest addition to our family, my amazing grandbaby.  

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What are you most looking forward to in your job?
I am looking forward to meeting new people, educating the public about how they can help conserve Ohio’s natural resources and working with other like-minded organizations and individuals. It sounds like there will never be a dull day in this position and I greatly appreciate all the help and understanding I have been getting from my co-workers. 

What is something you want to share with our readers?
This Spring, the Lucas SWCD will be participating in and/or sponsoring several rain barrel building workshops in which individuals sign up to build a rain barrel and learn about why it is a beneficial conservation practice. Those dates/locations include: Sylvania’s Red Bird Art Walk on April 1st, Downtown Toledo’s EcoFest on April 9th, a workshop at the 577 foundation on April 19th, and Naturally Oregon on May 14th. Pre-registration is required for all. Other events worth noting are our Tree and Native Plant Sales, the UT Earth Fest on April 21st, the Toledo Zoo’s Party for the Planet on April 23rd, and the Area 1 Envirothon happening at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge this year. If you have questions about any of these upcoming events, give our office a call!   

What is something you enjoy doing outside of work?
I have been volunteering with a local animal rescue for more than 3 years and get much satisfaction out of spending time with and caring for these deserving animals.
And last but not least, I am an avid gardener and have been for more than 30 years.  And, as a gardener, I am always striving to grow in an environmentally compatible and earth-friendly way.  

Stop by the office and say hi to Penny! Stay tuned for next month's blog post!