Our Mission
"To actively conserve wildlife and their habitats by fostering community connectedness, outdoor education, and applied research."
Who We Are
Have you ever been curious about wildlife or the outdoors, but didn't feel like it was meant for you? Maybe you always wondered about some outdoorsy activity but could never imagine yourself actually doing it? Or maybe you're already passionate about wildlife, but felt like mainstream outdoors culture is missing something?​
This is your home.
​We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation organization offering wildlife and outdoors educational experiences that provide what so many of us feel is missing today - community, belonging, and connection. Not just to each other, but also to humanity's place within our larger natural community.​ We strive to break down barriers to wildlife conservation by offering free and low-cost educational events and professional skills trainings that are welcome to everyone, whether you're seeking to build your resume or just to gain a deeper understanding of the natural world.
Not sure? You can come and hang out at one of our free dip-your-toes sessions for a casual, no-expectations experience. Coffee and snacks are on us.
If you're feeling ready to dive in, take a look at our upcoming workshops and free excursions. We strive to make them affordable for everyone, and all proceeds go directly to conserving and recovering endangered wildlife and habitats. You can even follow our blog to stay updated on those efforts every step of the way.
Our Philosophy
Nature is for everyone.
No matter who you are or where you come from, nature is for you. Much of humanity's supposed divide from nature actually comes from divisions between each other - entire groups of people who have been excluded, chased off, or made to feel unsafe or unwelcome in outdoor settings. Healing divisions between humanity and nature is directly tied to healing divisions between ourselves.
We are a part of nature, not apart from nature.
Humans are not invaders. We have lived on every major landmass since before the end of the last ice age more than 10,000 years ago, and every species alive today has evolved and adapted alongside humans. While some species and habitats are more affected by humans than others, a pristine wilderness, 'untrammeled by man...' is a myth. Indigenous cultures around the world have actively shaped the ecosystems we live in, and many wild species rely on human activity to exist.
Community includes humans and wildlife.
'Eco' means 'Home.' Ecology is the study of our home, and includes every member of our natural community, human and wild. Both are deserving of the same care, respect, and consideration. When we try to set ourselves apart, we become disconnected from the very community that makes this planet able to support human life - from the community that makes this planet Home.
Nice to meet you!
Adam Austin, Co-Director
Adam is a Southwest Michigan native where he grew up adventuring in the woods, ponds, and rivers around his small town. Once a US Navy journalist and now a wetland biologist and herpetologist, he earned both his BA (English) and BS (Biological Sciences) from Western Michigan University, where he also earned an MS en route to his PhD learning how to create wetland habitats that support species of greatest conservation need. Adam is a certified college science educator and teaches ecology, evolution, and environmental courses part-time. He has previously worked in positions that included research, land management, consulting, and community outreach and is passionate about improving habitats and helping folks find their own wonder and appreciation for the outdoors.
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Karla Kelly, Co-Director
Karla is originally from Washington State but has called Michigan home since 2021. In Washington, Karla earned her Bachelor of Science degree at The Evergreen State College, studying a variety topics including ornithology and marine biology. She then went on to work with birds; first as an intern studying pigeon guillemots, then as an AmeriCorps member studying streaked horned larks, Western bluebirds, and Oregon vesper sparrows, and finally as an avian field technician working with those same species as well as monitoring shorebirds and waterfowl in the North Puget Sound. She then picked up and moved to Kalamazoo to pursue and ultimately earn a Master of Science degree at Western Michigan University working with northern yellow warblers. She is currently nearing the end of a PhD program researching mangrove yellow warblers and chestnut-sided warblers. Karla grew up in a city and it wasn't until her first year of college that she really began pursuing her interests in the outdoors but once she started, she was hooked. Now she finds every excuse and hobby she can that allows her to get outside as much as possible.
Our Board of Directors
Colleen Kellogg
Colleen is a Michigan-based filmmaker and conservationist with a passion for herpetology. She attended Grand Valley State University for film and video production, where she garnered an interest in documentary filmmaking. For her senior project, she directed a short film about a venom lab, which reignited a long-held love for reptiles. Following the completion of that project, Colleen pursued further education and experience in the herpetology space. She has continued to work with and educate folks about reptiles, specializing in snakes. In 2023, she received her first venomous handling safety certification and began production on a feature-length documentary about the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. Throughout the production, she quickly grew a massive soft spot for Michigan’s only venomous snake. She became more involved in their conservation, which in turn led to an interest in not only protecting and educating about them, but also their habitats and the countless other species they share their home with.
Tiffany Johnson
Tiffany Johnson is the founder and CEO of Dino Buddies LLC, a Cincinnati-based wildlife education organization dedicated to making conservation and science accessible, exciting, and community-driven. With a background in zoology and years of hands-on experience working with reptiles, exotic animals, and educational outreach programs, Tiffany has built Dino Buddies into an award-winning organization known for combining entertainment with meaningful wildlife education.
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Since founding Dino Buddies in 2020, Tiffany has focused not only on educating the public, but also on creating opportunities for young professionals to gain hands-on experience in animal care, public outreach, and conservation. Under her leadership, Dino Buddies has partnered with libraries, schools, nonprofits, farms, and conservation organizations across the region to connect communities with wildlife in engaging and impactful ways.
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Tiffany is passionate about reptile conservation, environmental education, and building spaces where people feel welcomed into the world of wildlife and the outdoors. Her work emphasizes empathy for misunderstood species, ethical animal care, and inspiring the next generation of conservationists.
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As a board member of Midwest Friends of Wildlife, Tiffany is excited to support initiatives that strengthen community connection, conservation education, and accessible opportunities for people to engage with wildlife in meaningful ways.
Laurel Ridgway
Laurel is the Animal Ambassador Manager at the Kalamazoo Nature Center. They began working with wildlife ambassadors in professional care in 2021 at Osprey Wilds ELC in Minnesota as the Wildlife Fellow. They developed a deep love for wildlife, especially birds of prey and owls. They continued on to Buttonwood Park Zoo, an AZA facility in Massachusetts, before moving to Michigan in 2024 to join the Kalamazoo Nature Center. They are passionate about high quality of life for animals in human care and promoting empathy for our wildlife neighbors through education, conservation, and research. They are members of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE), Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Advancing Conservation through Empathy for Wildlife (ACE for Wildlife), and Michigan Association of Wildlife Rehabilitation (MAWR). In their free time, they volunteer with local wildlife rehabbers and bird banders and pursue continuing education.
Our Community
We're so thankful to the people and organizations who make our work possible!
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