Meet the Candidates

Diane DeYonker

Diane DeYonker, a Lucas SWCD Board Supervisor since 2014, has a strong background in
Environmental Education starting as a summer camp counselor for 13 years including at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. This led to working as an Outdoor Educator for Toledo Public Schools at Camp Storer for 2 years. She continued working for Toledo Public Schools in their Career Tech Program as a Natural Resource Instructor, teaching high school juniors and seniors who were preparing for careers in the environmental field. Since retiring, she has been active volunteering as a rare plant monitor for Metroparks Toledo and as an Education Chair for Oak Openings Wild Ones. During the summer, she runs camps with the Toledo Zoo. Diane and her husband live west of Whitehouse on 15 acres, which they manage to encourage native plant and animal diversity.

Tom Schoen

Tom Schoen has served as a Lucas SWCD Board Supervisor since 2014. He has been transforming landscapes into works of art and function for the last 40 years. As a plantsman, he is passionate about the environment, creating natural and native gardens, and educating our community on the benefits of a healthy ecosystem and personal environments. As the owner of Landscape Construction Inc. and Vintage Gardens, Tom employed, trained and mentored many successful men and women in our community and throughout the country. Tom has volunteered his time and talent to many local organizations, including the Toledo Botanical Garden Metropark, Unruly Arts, NRAC District 12, and the Clean Ohio Fund-Green Space Conservation Program. He also previously dedicated time to Toledo GROWs, Metroparks Toledo, the Rain Garden Initiative, Sacred Grounds Toledo, and Owens Community College where he taught landscape design. Tom and his wife, Lori, have lived in Maumee for the past 35 years.