With the team at SISL and the valuable SISL RCPP partners, Ben will be leading the effort to protect thousands of acres of forest land, restore thousands of acres of oak ecosystems, and bring conservation practices to tens of thousands of acres of cropland.
Ben grew up in Pulaski County in Northwest Indiana, where he spent his childhood camping, riding bikes, and fishing. These experiences fueled his passion for nature and inspired him to pursue a career in conservation.
Ben has a degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in Biology from Butler University and a graduate degree in Forestry and Natural Resources from Purdue University. He focused his studies on ecosystem dynamics, particularly in forested systems. His graduate work examined how land uses impact forests in the Eastern United States and was ultimately published in the journal Biological Invasions.
Upon graduation, Ben initially worked in the consulting field, coordinating vegetation management for Indiana-Michigan Power and then project management for Allen County Soil & Water Conservation District. He is most proud of the work he’s been involved with while at ACRES Land Trust, Indiana’s oldest land trust, where he coordinated the organization’s conservation and land protection projects. He is proud to have helped with the permanent protection and/or restoration of over 1,000 acres of habitat during his time with the organization.
Ben is an avid fly fisher and bicycle enthusiast. He and his wife, Allison, enjoy camping, traveling, gardening, and spending time with their two cats.
