Congratulations to our re-elected Board Supervisor, Diane DeYonker and newly-elected Supervisor, Ben Eisel!
|
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.
Diane will begin a new three-year term commencing January 1, 2026. |
|
Ben Eisel has been associated with a rural lifestyle and the farming sector for the entirety of his career. He is currently employed by GEM, Inc. as the Manager of Business Development. Ben is a lifelong resident of Lucas County and currently resides in Village of Berkey with his wife Erica and their six children. Over the last 15 years, he has built up their family farm which includes organic production, high tunnel greenhouses, and most recently, the conversion of 15 acres of conventional tillage to sustainable grazing to support their cattle operation. One of Ben’s proud accomplishments is being a founder and active member of the Assumption Education Foundation supporting the rural education of youth in the outdoors. Ben’s interest in the Lucas SWCD Board is that of sustainability with a first-hand desire to leave his environment in better shape than he has found it for his kids and the rest of Lucas County.
Ben will begin a three-year term commencing January 1, 2026. |
