Our Mission
Promoting popular interest in the study of natural history; encouraging conservation and wise use of natural resources; encouraging preservation of native plants, birds, and other animals; and collecting and publishing information about the flora and fauna of the Toledo area and northwestern Ohio, since 1933.
The Toledo Naturalists' Association (TNA) was formed in 1933 when the Toledo Nature Study Society and the Toledo Field Naturalists' Association merged. TNA has been the official compiler for the Toledo Audubon Christmas Count since its inception. Many of the early TNA members created the first local bird book, written by Lou Campbell, and first published in 1940. Members receive bulletins and an annual yearbook. In addition, there are approximately eight presentations given by local naturalists, an annual spring chicken barbecue and fall banquet, and numerous field trips specializing in birding, insects, botany, herpetology, fish, and more.
Educational Programs
Each month, TNA hosts an education program. Presentations cover a wide range of topics related to the various flora and fauna of Toledo.
Field Trips
TNA sponsors field trips to a wide variety of local parks and natural areas to explore the Toledo area's birds, fish, mammals, insects, and more!
Community
Whether it's our Membership Program, Field Trip. or Facebook group, we foster a vibrant community of individuals ranging from budding wildlife enthusiasts to leading regional experts.
Board Members
Marianne Duvendack
PresidentLifelong NW Ohioan, BA in Environmental Education, Dual Masters in Historic and Environmental Preservation. 40 year member of TNA. Former life included elementary school teacher, camp director, and NPS Ranger/Naturalist. Former Pres of FT Battlefield Commission, TNA Co-Naturalist 2000, MParks Volunteer of the Year 2000, current Red Cross Disaster Responder, parent of 3 amazing young […]
Dave Mallory
Vice PresidentDave Mallory has been a member of TNA since 1979 when he was a graduate student taking classes from Elliot Tramer, and Tom Kemp was his classmate. Dave worked as a Family Practice Physician for 37 years until retiring September of 2022. Dave and his wife Patricia have 4 grown children, and 4 grandchildren. Dave […]
Matt Kemp
TrusteeMatt has been going on TNA field trips since before he could walk, and he is a past president of the group. A practicing lawyer, Matt previously worked as a field ornithologist and led birding tours. He loves exploring the wilds of Ohio, Michigan, and beyond with his wife Eleanor and kids Amelia, Flora, and […]
Karen Jankowski
SecretaryA life- long Toledo area resident, Karen Jankowski, is our new recording secretary. Karen and her husband, Jerry Jankowski, have been members of TNA for several years. She credits her twenty years of living within the boundaries of Oak Openings Preserve while her husband served as Ranger/Manager, as connecting her with nature and the uniqueness […]
Dana Bollin
MembershipDana Bollin, our new Membership Chair, is a life-long resident of Northwest Ohio. Her mother tells the tale that even in her crib she was fascinated by the birds outside. This love of nature was pursued educationally with a BS degree in natural resource management from the University of Toledo, then went on to earn […]
Mike Sweeney
Field TripsMike has been interested in wildlife and especially birds most of his adult life. He also enjoys fishing, walking, kayaking and gardening. He’s recently retired from the construction industry, so now it is time to combine travelling with his other hobbies.
Ellen Leonard
PUBLICITY CHAIRAs a child, Ellen loved nature and spent her time looking for birds (Bird Guide in hand), insects, or reptiles with her sisters. These days she still enjoys nature as she walks her dog or tries to add more miles to her hikes at the Metroparks. Kayaking and biking are also favorite activities.
Christine Manzey
NewsletterChris is currently Editor of the TNA newsletter. She recently retired from teaching science for 32 years at Notre Dame Academy where she also served as Science Department Chair for 25 years. Besides teaching certifications, she also has a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, is a Master Gardener Volunteer, an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist, and […]
Todd Haggard
Todd’s uncle (Mike Sweeney) sparked his interest in the natural world around the age of ten with an introduction to birding. Todd also enjoys other outdoor activities including hiking, camping, fishing and kayaking. He has served various TNA board positions over the years. He is a graduate of Owens C.C. and the University of Findlay […]
Brandon Brywczynski
TrusteeBrandon Brywczynski has been a member of TNA since 2013. He has served as field trip and facilities chair, and is currently serving as a trustee. His love for birds started at age 10 when his father sent him out of the house to see if he could hand feed chickadees. What started as an […]
Jon Dwyer
WebmasterJon Dwyer is new to TNA as of 2019 and manages the TNA website, Zoom sessions, Youtube channel and various technology for TNA. He’s retired from his IT job, now enjoying more time outdoors, traveling, and performing music with his amazing singer/songwriter/wife Phyllis (and the real naturalist in the family). They both enjoy birding at […]
Marianne Duvendack
Lifelong NW Ohioan, BA in Environmental Education, Dual Masters in Historic and Environmental Preservation. 40 year member of TNA. Former life included elementary school teacher, camp director, and NPS Ranger/Naturalist. Former Pres of FT Battlefield Commission, TNA Co-Naturalist 2000, MParks Volunteer of the Year 2000, current Red Cross Disaster Responder, parent of 3 amazing young adults. #WorldsLaziestBirder
Dave Mallory
Dave Mallory has been a member of TNA since 1979 when he was a graduate student taking classes from Elliot Tramer, and Tom Kemp was his classmate. Dave worked as a Family Practice Physician for 37 years until retiring September of 2022. Dave and his wife Patricia have 4 grown children, and 4 grandchildren. Dave and Patricia are interested in birdwatching, fishing, nature hikes, travelling and participating in programs offered by TNA. He is also involved with Toledo Metroparks as a member of volunteer trail patrol.
Matt Kemp
Matt has been going on TNA field trips since before he could walk, and he is a past president of the group. A practicing lawyer, Matt previously worked as a field ornithologist and led birding tours. He loves exploring the wilds of Ohio, Michigan, and beyond with his wife Eleanor and kids Amelia, Flora, and Ewen.
Karen Jankowski
A life- long Toledo area resident, Karen Jankowski, is our new recording secretary. Karen and her husband, Jerry Jankowski, have been members of TNA for several years. She credits her twenty years of living within the boundaries of Oak Openings Preserve while her husband served as Ranger/Manager, as connecting her with nature and the uniqueness of the Oak Openings region. She is an avid hiker and gardener. She is retired from teaching Social Studies at Notre Dame Academy. She enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren and volunteering at Gesu School.
Dana Bollin
Dana Bollin, our new Membership Chair, is a life-long resident of Northwest Ohio. Her mother tells the tale that even in her crib she was fascinated by the birds outside. This love of nature was pursued educationally with a BS degree in natural resource management from the University of Toledo, then went on to earn a MS in biology from Bowling Green State University.
After interning at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in 1986, Dana was hired as the very first naturalist at the Sportsman’s Migratory Bird Center at Magee Marsh; predating the original boardwalk! After maternity leave, she worked as naturalist for the City of Toledo at Ottawa Park, then spent 20 years as Naturalist Supervisor at Maumee Bay State Park Nature Center then 5 additional years with Natural Areas and Preserves.
In her spare time she worked as Nature Camp Coordinator for 10 years as well as a volunteer bird bander at Navarre Marsh for 26 years with the Black Swamp Bird Observatory.
She continues to be interested in monarch butterfly biology and has raised and released over 15,000 monarchs since beginning the project at Maumee Bay in 1993. Dana is an avid birder, a closet lister, and proudly continues to invest her time and money into land acquisition, habitat restoration and restoring old homes.
Eileen Stanbery
Mike Sweeney
Mike has been interested in wildlife and especially birds most of his adult life. He also enjoys fishing, walking, kayaking and gardening. He’s recently retired from the construction industry, so now it is time to combine travelling with his other hobbies.
Ellen Leonard
As a child, Ellen loved nature and spent her time looking for birds (Bird Guide in hand), insects, or reptiles with her sisters. These days she still enjoys nature as she walks her dog or tries to add more miles to her hikes at the Metroparks. Kayaking and biking are also favorite activities.
Christine Manzey
Chris is currently Editor of the TNA newsletter. She recently retired from teaching science for 32 years at Notre Dame Academy where she also served as Science Department Chair for 25 years. Besides teaching certifications, she also has a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, is a Master Gardener Volunteer, an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist, and Whitehouse Tree Commissioner. Chris has also participated in Raptor Monitoring in the Oak Openings and is a Garden Keeper at the Buehner Center’s Window on Wildlife. She and her husband, Elliot Tramer, travel extensively photographing wildlife.
Elliot Tramer
Todd Haggard
Todd’s uncle (Mike Sweeney) sparked his interest in the natural world around the age of ten with an introduction to birding. Todd also enjoys other outdoor activities including hiking, camping, fishing and kayaking. He has served various TNA board positions over the years. He is a graduate of Owens C.C. and the University of Findlay and is a Sr. Environmental Specialist at Toledo ENV. Services.
Brandon Brywczynski
Brandon Brywczynski has been a member of TNA since 2013. He has served as field trip and facilities chair, and is currently serving as a trustee. His love for birds started at age 10 when his father sent him out of the house to see if he could hand feed chickadees. What started as an attempt to get a kid to stop bugging his parents has blossomed into a lifelong passion. Brandon frequents the Oak Openings with his wife and two daughters, hoping that his love for nature is infectious.
John Chadwick
Jessica Susser McEwen
Karen Mitchell
George Sydlowski
Tom Kemp
Eric Durbin
Jon Dwyer
Jon Dwyer is new to TNA as of 2019 and manages the TNA website, Zoom sessions, Youtube channel and various technology for TNA. He’s retired from his IT job, now enjoying more time outdoors, traveling, and performing music with his amazing singer/songwriter/wife Phyllis (and the real naturalist in the family). They both enjoy birding at Magee Marsh as well as the many winged varieties they’re able to attract to their wooded backyard. They live in the Sylvania area and have two wonderful sons and four beautiful grandkids (who also like Magee).