Melinda is a professor of sociology at Ball State University. She has received numerous teaching awards at her current institution and from the American Sociological Association and the North Central Sociological Association. Melinda is a California native and loves running, riding and roller-blading on the trails of our community. She is considered by many to have descended from the Lorax given her sincere love of trees.

A Muncie native, Ken graduated from Ball State with a degree in Secondary Education. He has been has been married for over 30 years, and a martial art teacher for over 20 years. He is the proud father of four, has published one novel and is working on a sequel. While grateful for his sole grandchild, he holds onto hope for more.

Clair is the District Director for the Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District. She is a member of Delaware County Invasive Plant Project (DIPP) and serves on committees for the Upper White River Watershed Management Plan. Clair is a Delaware County native and enjoys crafting, listening to audiobooks, and growing native plants.

Julie Barker Holland is a veteran teacher and university administrator. She grew up on a farm in West Tennessee where her family still resides. She resides in Muncie with her husband, Dr. Kenneth Holland, and their Afghan rescue dog, Spinney.

Austin Weiland is an IAH-accredited Horticulturalist who works at Minnetrista as Lead Horticulture Specialist. He joined the MDCB board in 2019 and is also a board member of the Urban Forestry and helps coordinate the Memorial Tree plantings. He is an Eagle Scout and an avid outdoorsman who likes taking care of his animals and plants, kayaking, fishing, and disc golfing.

Photo and bio coming soon!

Rachel is a current employee of the Ross Community Center, located on Muncie’s Southside. There she works with local children in all of their out-of -school, educational programming. She also maintains the Ross community park and gardens, where she showcases the importance and accessibility of native plants. Rachel enjoys painting, printmaking and anything nature related.

Jeff Hansard, who hails from Muncie, is Delaware County's Chief Probation Officer. An Indiana University Bloomington graduate and Academy for Community Leadership alumnus, Jeff is committed to environmental and social responsibility and using natural resources in a way to foster sustainable community safety and pride. Along with his wife and two daughters, he enjoys camping, biking, and fishing.