1350 West Prairie Drive Sycamore IL 60178
Marian grew up in Chicago Heights, Illinois, and now lives in northern DeKalb County. In her position as program coordinator, she helps manage volunteers for various programs and events with a team of other coordinators. She is based at the Natural Resource Education Center in Russell Woods Forest Preserve, Genoa, Illinois. Some of her duties include teaching grade school students about natural resources, maintaining the nature center, and caring for the animals housed there, including a 75-pound sulcata tortoise.
Marian graduated from Moorpark College—America’s Teaching Zoo, with a certificate in Exotic Animal Training and Management and an Associate of Science degree. Before starting with Extension in 2022, Marian worked as a lab assistant, veterinary hospital receptionist, freelance writer, zookeeper, and very young circus clown.
Marian has lived on both coasts but loved returning to the Midwest. In her spare time, she likes to enjoy nature, knit mittens, bake, watch TV, read, and write letters; yes, actual letters. And she loves it when, sometimes, people actually write back.