Staff

Margaret Birmingham is the Finance and Operations Coordinator at Trees Forever.  One of her favorite aspects of the job is writing the grant checks that Trees Forever awards each year to Iowa communities, to assist in planting trees and beautifying roadsides and public areas with native plants and shrubs.  She also oversees the recycling program within the office in a continued effort to keep Trees Forever green inside and out.  She lives in Cedar Rapids with her son Duncan.

Meredith Borchardt graduated from Luther College with a double major of Biology and Religion.  She later earned a M.S. degree from Iowa State University, doing a research project on the effects of mowing and fertilization on diversity in a new prairie reconstruction.  She is a Field Coordinator and Program Manager in community forestry and roadside programs.  She really enjoys the people she works with – both the staff who come from many different backgrounds, but also the volunteers, who are motivated individuals that really want to improve their community and the environment.  She also likes coming at projects from both an environmental angle and a community improvement angle, and seeing how those two things can come together.

As a Field Coordinator and Program Manager, Karen works with nearly all of Trees Forever’s programs, but she specializes in programs that connect children and youth with their environment.  She currently manages the Alliant Energy We Dig Your District tree planting program and the Growing Futures Youth Corps summer employment program, both in Cedar Rapids. She also coordinates the Growing Futures youth education program in Cedar Rapids and Toledo. These programs get young people outdoors and working on environmental projects, something she really enjoys, “It is gratifying to see their enthusiasm and willingness to work hard to improve the environment.”   She has a Master of Science degree in Resource Development from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has previous work experience with youth and the environment in Illinois, Guyana, and Jamaica, where she served as a Peace Corps volunteer.

Debbie has a B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of Maine. She is the Illinois Buffer Partnership Program Manager, and works directly with landowners, volunteers and partners across Illinois. Debbie’s favorite part of her job? “Meeting new people and visiting a lot of unique areas in Illinois that most people don’t have the opportunity to visit.”  Debbie is a member of the Environmental Education Association of Illinois, the Illinois Forestry Association, the Soil & Water Conservation Society and the Association for Temperate Agroforestry. Before joining Trees Forever, Debbie served with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources training volunteers in Forest Watch, River Watch and Prairie Watch.

Barb is Program Manager for Trees Forever’s Iowa, Working Watersheds: Buffers and Beyond program and is Field Coordinator for northwest Iowa. She has a bachelor’s degree in Zoology and has worked as an environmental educator.   Barb has also worked extensively with farmers on environmental and policy issues. Barb's favorite thing about her job is working with grassroots volunteers and seeing them make a difference in their communities and on their farms. "Seeing their enthusiasm and passion about projects is so exciting-- and contagious!" She especially enjoys working with farmers, rural landowners and communities that are working to improve water quality by installing buffers and rain gardens.  Barb's goal is make Iowa a leader in agroforestry and she dreams about growing aronia berries some day herself.

Jo Ann has a Master of Arts in Environment and Community, course work toward a Master’s in Health Promotion, and a B.S. in Administrative Management.  She is earned certificates in Facilitating by Heart, Appreciative Inquiry Facilitation, and Public Participation. Jo Ann provides support for the Our Woodland Legacy program and contributes to organizational effectiveness.   Jo Ann enjoys walking in nature; connecting with her husband; being with family and girlfriends that go WAY back; rocking in her Grandmother’s rocking chair in her new sunroom with her cat on my lap, a cup of tea (or glass of wine) in one hand and a book in the other with soft music in the background.

Patty has a B.S. in Horticulture from Iowa State University. She has been with Trees Forever since 1991, coordinating tree planting events and helping train volunteers with tree selection, all aspects of planting and care, reviewing site plans and facilitating local efforts. Patty has extensive experience with media, especially TV and radio.  Passionate about helping communities achieve their goals, Patty is always excited to travel throughout Iowa to see the results of the great projects supported by Alliant Energy, Black Hills Energy and the Iowa’s Living Roadways Visioning and Projects programs.  Before joining Trees Forever, Patty worked as a horticulturist in eastern Iowa for Iowa State University Extension.  She is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture, is a Certified Arborist, serves on the Board of Directors for the Iowa Association for Energy Efficiency, is a member of the Iowa Urban and & Community Forestry Council, and is a member of the Iowa Arborist Association.

Mark has a B.A. in Biology and is a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture. A dedicated Field Coordinator, Mark recently led the development and implementation of the Vinton Shellsburg High School model outdoor classroom project. Mark coordinates the Stewards of the Beautiful Land program, and he enjoys supporting volunteers, working with farmers and landowners and is a dedicated educator. He is also a Community Tree Steward and has been certified in S130/S190 Wildland Firefighting.  According to Mark, “I enjoy all aspects of restoration and management of woodlands, wetlands, prairies and savannas, and environmental education.”  Mark lives with his wife Carrie and son Andrew outside of Vinton, Iowa.

Shannon co-founded Trees Forever in 1989 as a volunteer; today she has twenty years of wonderful Trees Forever history, “Founding Trees Forever has been a remarkable experience. I have had the opportunity to work with the best people working on great projects that make the world a far better place.”  Whether working with staff, board, partners or volunteers, Shannon strives to create a structure that supports and sustains those involved. Currently the National Chair for the Alliance for Community Trees, Shannon has served on numerous national and local boards. Shannon’s under graduate education is in creative writing and philosophy from the University of Mississippi, with graduate level work completed on management, fundraising and nonprofit management.  Shannon enjoys the outdoors, whether hiking, kayaking or gardening. She lives on 45 acres along the Wapsipinicon River in Jones County, Iowa.

Brad has a B.A. in Biology and an M.S. in Land Resources with a focus on prairie restoration and soils.  He has been a Trees Forever Field Coordinator since 1995 and worked in almost all the program areas, including community tree plantings, Visioning, and buffer/watershed work.  In recent years he has been heavily involved in NeighborWoods in Des Moines, working with them to reach a goal of 100,000 trees.  He has also taken a strong interest in reduction of stormwater run off especially in urban areas through the use of infiltration practices such as rain gardens and bio-retention basins.   Brad is energized by the interaction with volunteers around the state and especially in southwest Iowa.  The fact that people want to make where they live a better place and that we can provide some assistance in their efforts is very gratifying.

Deb is best known as the voice of Trees Forever, as she has been the “receptionist” by telephone to the thousands of Trees Forever volunteers calling our corporate office.  Always willing to help in any way, Deb is also the “go to” person for grants and information on programs. Deb generates all the necessary administrative tools for hundreds of grant applications, awards and reports. Deb grew up on a Linn County, Iowa farm, and has a A.A. in Ag Science from Kirkwood Community College.  Deb has a special place in her heart for her dogs, and luckily there is also a lot of room there for her many friends and family members. She loves the outdoors and thrives on hard work and helping others.

Mark brings years of experience in the for-profit, non-profit and government environments to his position with Trees Forever.  He is responsible for overseeing our communications, marketing, public relations and fundraising efforts.  Mark also has an extensive background in the horticulture field, and was previously an Iowa Certified Nurseryman and Master Gardener.  “This position allows me to combine many of my work experiences, skills and interests and put them to good use for a very exciting cause!”  Mark graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Business Administration.  He currently lives in Iowa City - the home of that other big state university.