Anne Walton. I spent my career working at NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. For several years I oversaw planning processes for 5 of NOAA’s national marine sanctuaries (on the west coast and the Pacific Islands region-Hawaii and American Samoa). For the past 16 years I have worked internationally as a trainer supporting young professionals working in marine protected areas. Recently retired, I have continued my international work running leadership learning forums for marine conservation professionals. I moved to Fairfield from Kauai where I started Community Coalition Kauai focusing on issues such as climate change and land use.

Claudia Melrose. While a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I planted my first native plant garden to honor my son who had died two months before. Using a friend’s landscape plan, I bought dozens of native plants at the UW Arboretum’s annual native plant sale. Since then I have created several native prairie or rain gardens, learning more each time. After retiring and moving back to my native Iowa, I began serving the Southeast Iowa Sierra Club’s executive committee and Climate Action. I enjoy that still!

 Annie Pollet. I’ve been an avid lover of the outdoors from a very early age, and I’ve hiked, backpacked, cycled, paddled, and rock-climbed my way around this beautiful, diverse country. Born and raised on the Louisiana Gulf Coast, I spent many a day discovering Louisiana’s wild swamps, marshes, and bayous. I also saw firsthand the destructive and lasting impacts of poor environmental policy and a changing climate. As a result, I’ve spent decades working as an environmental and science educator in regions west of the Mississippi helping young people develop a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of our natural world. I hold BS and MA degrees in zoology/ecology and science education and have spent the last few years teaching science at Fairfield High School and sponsoring the Students4Change Environmental Club.

Sally Quinn. I grew up on a farm in Washington County, Iowa. Since earning a BA in sociology from University of Iowa, I’ve worked in a variety of administrative positions. As an active Sierra Club member since 2001, I’ve participated in climate marches and lobbied federal and state legislators on behalf of the environment. My favorite activities include bicycling and hiking the trails here and elsewhere and photographing the quirky and the beautiful. I proudly serve as treasurer of our local Sierra Club group.

Marg Dwyer. I was born and raised in upstate New York, a place of beautiful and diverse eco-systems. After college, I provided rehabilitation services to the visually impaired for several years before moving to Iowa in 1987. After raising my children, I spent 20 years in the financial services industry and served ten years on the local school board. I joined the Sierra Club in 2017 and have been lobbying for environmental and social justice issues ever since, serving as the political chair.

Gloria Foster. With a father in the US Army, I grew up appreciating the natural world around the globe. Our retirement home is covered with solar panels, surrounded by organic, heirloom and increasingly native gardens, and watered with 9 rain barrels. I have masters’ degrees in Library Science and SCI. I am concerned about Climate Change, and hopeful that we can change our current political climate of divisiveness and racism. I am honored to serve on the local Sierra Club Executive Committee.

Steve Taylor. I have degrees in Landscape Horticulture and Agricultural Education from Michigan State University and Educational Administration from Central Connecticut University. I worked in the horticulture industry for over 45 years, and before that, was a vocational agricultural instructor of plant science. Although I am now semi-retired, I still work each spring on landscape projects in the Hamptons, NY. I’ve been a member of the Southeast Iowa Group executive committee for the last year

Jonathan Lawrence is Senior Value Change Coordinator at Eat Greater Des Moines and the new Education and Outreach Director for Iowa Farmer’s Union. Jonathan graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Business Management; and MIU with a degree in Sustainable Living and Generative and Organic Agriculture.