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Our Staff
Jim Nelson, Owner
Jim has two decades of natural resource experience in the midwest. From Southern Wisconsin to Central Illinois, he served as an ecological restoration and native landscape project manager for Applied Ecological Services, a restoration professional for LaGesse and Associates and a watershed planner before opening Nelson Land Management.
Jim is an IL Certified Burn Manager, holds several wildland fire certifications, and has extensive experience managing invasive species of concern in the central midwest.
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John Schappaugh, Foreman
John joined NLM in October of 2020. His previous experience as a seasonal employee of IL Department of Natural Resources at New Salem State Park gave him experience in clearing areas of invasive species and treatment of the natural landscape. He gained knowledge of herbicides and farm equipment while working at the local Farm & Home store in Petersburg, Illinois. When he’s not working, you will find him officiating or participating in paintball tournaments across the US.
Christopher Baldwin, Foreman
Chris joined NLM in October 2021. He graduated from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania with Master's degrees in Parks and Resource Management and Environmental Education. He has previously worked as a Forestry Technician for the U.S. Forest Service in Lincoln National Forest, NM. In his free time Chris enjoys hiking and exploring new places.
Trevor Wasson, Ecological Restoration Technician
Trevor joined NLM in January 2021. He graduated from Drake University in Des Moines with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science and Biological Conservation, where he assisted with and performed his own research into habitat restoration and species reintroduction. He previously worked as a Forestry Technician intern with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at Loess Hills State Forest. In his off time, you can find him on a hiking trail or at a bird blind.
Kolten Adderman, Ecological Restoration Technician
Kolten was hired in April 2022. An avid waterfowl hunter, Kolten likes to spend his free time outdoors. He holds an Associates degree in Wildlife Conservation.
Kolten Adderman, Ecological Restoration Technician
Kolten was hired in April 2022. An avid waterfowl hunter, Kolten likes to spend his free time outdoors. He holds an Associates degree in Wildlife Conservation.
Kolten Adderman, Ecological Restoration Technician
Kolten was hired in April 2022. An avid waterfowl hunter, Kolten likes to spend his free time outdoors. He holds an Associates degree in Wildlife Conservation.
Kolten Adderman, Ecological Restoration Technician
Kolten was hired in April 2022. An avid waterfowl hunter, Kolten likes to spend his free time outdoors. He holds an Associates degree in Wildlife Conservation.
Anna Greenfield, Ecological Restoration Technician
Maddie Sadler, Ecological Restoration Technician
Maddie joined NLM in November 2022. She graduated from Alaska Pacific University with a bachelor’s in marine and environmental science with a concentration in ecology. She has previously worked as a forestry technician studying oak tree regeneration at Purdue University located in West Lafayette, IN. In her free time she enjoys reading and paddle boarding.
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