ATTENTION RIVER BEND NATURE CENTER MEMBERS

River Bend Nature Center 2026 Board of Director Candidates

The River Bend Nature Center’s nominating committee is submitting the following individuals to be elected to serve on the River Bend Board of Directors. Directors elected at the annual meeting on July 23rd, 2026 will be seated on the board at the first business meeting on August 24th, 2026 and serve the terms noted in their nomination information:

Dustin Simpson (3-year term)

Dustin Simpson is a local chiropractor and lifelong Faribault resident with a deep appreciation for nature and the outdoor spaces that make this community unique. He previously served on the River Bend Nature Center board from 2013 to 2021 and is excited to continue supporting its mission to protect, preserve, and connect people with nature. He is the father of three children who have been lucky enough to grow up learning and exploring at River Bend, just as he did, and he hopes to help preserve that experience for generations to come.  

John D. Scott (3-year term)

John D. Scott is a shareholder with Patton, Hoversten & Berg, P.A., where he practices from the firm's Faribault office. For more than 30 years, he has served individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations throughout southern Minnesota, providing practical legal counsel and helping clients navigate a wide variety of legal matters. John and his wife live on a farm along the Cannon River in rural Le Sueur County, where they raise sheep and beef cattle. Owning land and living along the river has given John a deep appreciation for the importance of conserving natural resources and protecting the lands and waterways that make the Faribault area such a special place. When he is not practicing law or working on the farm, he enjoys fishing, camping, traveling, and spending time outdoors. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve River Bend Nature Center and support its mission to inspire curiosity, respect, and care for nature.

Karen Zeller (special 1-year term)

Karen is the retired CEO of Cedar House, Inc., a mental health center covering southern Minnesota. Prior to that, she was an education for over 20 years. She has two Masters' Degrees and a Doctorate in Education Administration. She and her late husband, Simon, have five children and nine grandchildren. Her children have enjoyed the nature center and now her grandchildren are enthusiastically experiencing nature through River Bend. She has been an outdoor enthusiast all her life and is especially proud of River Bend and what it offers to Faribault and the surrounding communities. She enjoys being a part of the Board of Directors and the ability to give back to RBNC for all the experiences it provides for people of all ages.