Past Mentors

Mike is a 7th Generation family farmer in Parke County. He hosts a visit and discussion at his modern production farm.

Lee is the Robert Shrock Emeritus Professor of Geological Sciences at Indiana University. Prior to his retirement about five years ago he served as both Chair of the Department of Geological Sciences and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He has been...

Ian is a preeminent scholar in the field of Disaster Management, and is affiliated with Oxford University, Kyoto University, Lund University and the United Nations. Originally an architect, Ian spent two decades researching and teaching architects and urban designers...

Judy is host and producer of the WFYI TV public television series Communities Building Community, Judy brings attention to the many ways Hoosiers foster community life in Indiana. The series has won critical acclaim, including the Emmy award for public affairs...

Mary is Executive Director of the Indiana Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. In 2006 she led a global assessment of the world’s forests for the Conservancy, and in 2009 she led an international team to develop global strategies for sustainable forestry and...

Mike is a lifelong student of Native American wisdom and customs. At past Indiana Byron Fellowships, he has led the community assembly of the Indian Lodge.

Becky is the Director of the Indiana Herbarium at Butler University and President of the Indiana Wildflower Society. In addition, she runs the Friesner Herbarium, a collection of pressed and dried plant specimen that document the flora of Indiana growing outside of...

Mel is a chemical engineer who worked for 20 years in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical chemicals and 16 years in charge of environmental clean up for a Fortune 200 company. He has pursued the continuing presence of banned chemicals in the environment which resulted...

Marion is Professor Emeritus of Ecology at Indiana State University, former chairman of the Indiana Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and past president of the Indiana Academy of Science. Marion is recognized as Indiana’s premier ecologist and is editor of the book,...

Luke is the Executive Director of Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center at Goshen University. Merry Lea is a 1,189-acre preserve with a diverse group of Indiana ecosystems, and Merry Lea’s 13 staff members provide support to the mission of providing environmental...