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River Bend Nature Center Staff
River Bend Nature Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to helping people discover, enjoy, understand, and preserve the incredible natural world around us. River Bend has over 743 acres of land, ten miles of trails, and approximately 20,000 visitors annually. The River Bend Board is a group of 10-15 people with collective policy making authority.
Meet the River Bend Board here
Brad Bourn, Executive Director
Brad is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast. Prior to joining RBNC, Brad served as Vice President of Phyllis Wheatley Community Center and has served as a Commissioner on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board for the last 12 years. Outside of his work with Phyllis Wheatley Community Center and the Minneapolis Park Board, Brad brings more than 15 years of experience in non-profit leadership with place-based organizations, including connecting youth and underserved communities to the outdoors, arts, and other restorative experiences. He holds a master’s degree in nonprofit administration and also brings significant fundraising experience to the role.
Favorite Animal: his dog, Frank
Favorite Book: The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid by: Pat Garrett
Grants: Brad oversees all grants.
Email: bourn@rbnc.org
Phone: 507-332-7151
Brittany Smith, Associate Director of Environmental Stewardship
Brittany is originally from Elgin, a small town in southeastern Minnesota. She attended Winona State University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Ecology. Brittany served two years with Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa and worked five years with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division. Her favorite part of being a naturalist is sharing her experiences and teaching others about natural resources. Brittany and her husband reside in Northfield with their dog and cat. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with family, go hiking, and camping.
Favorite Animal: Timber Rattlesnake
Favorite Book: Nicholas Sparks Books
Grants Managed: Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grants; MPCA Wood Waste Utilization Grant; Grant In Aid Ski Grant
Email: smith@rbnc.org
Phone: 507-332-7151
Quanda Arch, Associate Director of Outdoor Diversity Initaitives
Arch comes to River Bend with more than a decade of professional experience working in BIPOC and traditionally marginalized communities to connect people with the resources and opportunities they need to live their lives to their greatest potential. Some of her most recent and relevant experience includes serving as a STEM (Science, Technology. Engineering, and Math) Senior Program Manager for the Science Museum of Minnesota, Career Pathways Program Manager for HIRED - one of Minnesota’s largest employment and career services organizations, and was an inaugural leader in the establishment of the Minneapolis Northside STEM District - a multi-jurisdictional service collaborative designed to help close academic and career achievement gaps in Minneapolis between whites and people of color.
Favorite Animal:
Favorite Book:
Grants Managed: DEED Transformative Career Pathways (TCP); Growing Tomorrow Tree Care Professionals (GTTCP); Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR)- Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF); National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA); DEED Pathways to Prosperity Bridge (P2P)
Email: arch@rbnc.org
Phone: 507-332-7151
Molly Dulka, Associate Director of Programs and Engagement
Molly is originally from the Twin Cities, but lived in Chicago while attending Loyola University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. She has worked for multiple organizations such as Three Rivers Park District, City of Richfield’s Wood Lake Nature Center, and Minneapolis Parks and Recreation. Her favorite part of being a naturalist is getting people excited about being outdoors and learning about nature. She is currently attending Hamline University for a Masters of Education in Natural Science and Environmental Education. In her spare time, she likes to try new restaurants, go kayaking or hiking.
Favorite Animal: River Otter
Favorite Book: Harry Potter Series
Grants Managed: MN Historical Society; Rice County State Health Improvement Project (SHIP) Grants
Email: dulka@rbnc.org
Phone: 507-332-7151
Katy Anderegg, Associate Director of Operations
Katy grew up in Madelia, MN, a small town southwest of Mankato. She has an Associate’s degree in Commercial and Technical Art from South Central College and a Bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Katy was a volunteer at the Minnesota Zoo for five years and had an internship working on the Minnesota and Tropics trails. She especially loved working with the sloths and porcupines. Her favorite part of being a naturalist is teaching others about nature and fostering an appreciation for the outdoors. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her husband, taking her dog on hikes, and wildlife watching.
Favorite Animal: Owls
Favorite Book: Kaufman Field Guide to Nature of the Midwest
Kate Ford, Special Programs Coordinator
Kate grew up in Northfield spending most of her time running feral climbing trees and riding her bicycle. Spending time outside quickly became a passion. She holds a bachelor in Animal Ecology and Environmental Studies from Iowa State University and a Master of Science Education from Minnesota State University. She teaches biology part time at MSU and is a taxi driver for her children. Her favorite part of being a Naturalist is seeing how excited people get when they find or learn something new outside. In her free time, she likes to garden, read books and pet her kitties.
Favorite Animal: Cat
Favorite Book: How could anyone chose just one?! Historical fiction is currently my favorite
Email: ford@rbnc.org
Morgan Heier, Programs and Engagement Coordinator
Morgan grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota where she first discovered a love for animals and the natural world. She graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND with a degree in Biology Education. She moved to Minnesota to pursue a job as a middle school science teacher. After a few years of teaching she discovered the Naturalist field and has never looked back. Before coming to River Bend, she was a Naturalist for Dodge Nature Center, Lowry Nature Center in Three Rivers Park District, and Harriet Alexander Nature Center. Her favorite part about being a Naturalist is opening people's eyes to the beautiful intricacies in the natural world around them.
Favorite Animal: Hognose snake
Favorite Book: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Email: heier@rbnc.org
Phone: 507-332-7151
Matt Johnson, Environmental Stewardship Coordinator
Matt grew up exploring River Bend while being raised in Faribault, Minnesota. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Matt has previously served as an intern and volunteer at River Bend. He enjoys being able to share his love and knowledge of nature with others. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, biking, traveling and following the ups and downs (mostly downs) of Minnesota’s sports teams.
Favorite Animal: Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Favorite Book: Harry Potter
Email: johnson@rbnc.org
Phone: 507-332-7151
Randy McMeekin, Environmental Stewardship Coordinator
Randy describes himself as an “art nerd and nature fan”.
Favorite Animal: Red Panda
Favorite Books: The "Discworld" series
Email: mcmeekin@rbnc.org
Phone: 507-332-7151
Keigan Larimer, Americorps Member
Urban Community Forestry Placement
Keigan grew up in Burnsville, MN, exploring the small patch of woods in the backyard. He remembers climbing over giant fallen trees, finding hidey holes, and stumbling upon a deceased deer with his friend. He attended college at the University of Minnesota Duluth and finished his degree at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology. At River Bend he is serving a Community and Urban Forestry term in the Conservation Corps, teaching kiddos and planting trees! In his free time he enjoys hiking, video games, and being a terrible DJ, and he wants to go camping in a Scamp some day.
Favorite animal: Raccoon
Favorite book: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir