Presenters/Instructors:

~ the list is growing...please check back!

Paddlers:

Jessie Hadley-ACA Instructor. Owner of Woods & Water Ecotours in the Les Cheneaux Islands. She has been instructing many clients each summer in the art of sea kayaking while finding solace in nature. She has degree in Fisheries & Wildlife Biology, worked for the Michigan's Department of Natural Resources, Hiawatha National Forest, The Nature Conservancy and Michigan's Audubon Society. Her favorite bird is the Black Tern.

Lori Stegmier-ACA Instructor. She teaches at numerous symposiums every year. She enjoys all aspects of teaching but particularly enjoys teaching traditional paddling, rescues, rolling, and working with beginners. She also has extensive backcountry experience having spent years backpacking, before starting to wilderness kayak. Some of her favorite kayaking destinations have included the North Channel and the Silver Islet to Rossport stretch in Canada and North Manitou Island in Michigan. And, if you ever go on a trip with her, you won’t go hungry as backcountry cooking is one of her passions. While on trips, she also enjoys listening to the call of the Loon, her favorite bird.

Belinda Lee-ACA Instructor
Belinda is a ball of energy both on and off the water doing exercise instruction and personal training. She believes that kayaking is a great sport for everyone! Belinda is committed to helping you have fun on the water while being safe kayaking. She has been a kayak instructor for 5 years teach at various symposiums as well as the Becoming and Outdoor Woman, Program. Belinda's energy will help you deepen you paddling experience. Favorite bird a red wing black bird, got to love its' courage!

Michael Gray-ACA Instructor
Professionally guiding since 1982, Michael has been fortunate enough to be able to work out of a kayak in Alaska, New Zealand, Honduras, Belize, Florida and all over his home waters of the Great Lakes. Whether its teaching outdoor cookery in New Zealand or teaching people to dive for lobster out of kayaks in the Caribbean, he has a wealth of experience that he enjoys sharing.

Bill Kinjornski
Canoe instructor

Nature Presenters

Kimberli Bindschatel-Whisper in the Woods
Finding inspiration in nature, Kimberli Bindschatel has built her life around bringing that message to others. Not only through her photography, but to her publication, Whisper in the Woods Nature Journal. Enjoy an hour’s journey with her into a world of grace and beauty that whispers of the sacred. Learn what nature has to offer you in your life. Her favorite bird is the Loon.

Dave Ewert-The Nature Conservancy-As Director of Conservation Science for the Great Lakes Program; his role is tcoordinate and initiate science-based work that furthers conservation throughout the Great Lakes area. Current areas of focus include evaluation of winter habitat of the Kirtland’s Warbler in The Bahamas, protection of stopover sites for migratory birds in the Great Lakes region, and Great Lakes coastline and island protection. Before assuming the Great Lakes program position, Dave was Director of the Science and Stewardship Program of the Michigan Chapter of The Nature Conservancy from 1985-2001. From 1983-1985 he was Director of Land Stewardship for the Iowa Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. He has served as a fire manager for The Nature Conservancy and worked on a wide range of conservation topics, including invasive species and forest management. Prior to his work with The Nature Conservancy, he was an Assistant Professor at Central Michigan University where he is now an Adjunct Associate Professor.

Dr. Ewert received his B.S. from the University of Michigan, and his M.S. and Ph.D. from the City University of New York. He has taught courses in Ornithology, Ecology, Conservation and Biology and conducted research on birds in Michigan, New York, the Virgin Islands, Bahamas and Venezuela. He has published a number of technical papers as well as articles on birds for natural history magazines. He has traveled widely throughout the West Indies, Central and South America to work on research and conservation projects.

He has served as a director, trustee or advisory board member of several natural resources-related organizations in Michigan and nationwide.