Meet The Team

District Manager

Alison Adams

Alison joined the Charlevoix Conservation District in September of 2015.  Alison has worked in the field of conservation for over 2 decades, mostly in the northern Michigan region. Her early work in conservation included the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, Wilderness State Park and the Little Traverse Conservancy.  Alison graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in Environmental Policy & English. Alison has farming roots dating back to the early 1900s in northern Emmet County, where she raised her two sons.  Alison enjoys working with local landowners, promoting the district's programs in the community, and sharing her passion for conservation with younger generations.

CTAP Technician

Chris Anderson

Chris has been working with the Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program grant since the early 2000s.  The program is now referred to as MAEAP (Michigan Agricultural and Environmental Assurance Program), but the goal is the same - help northern Michigan farmers protect their soil and water. Chris enjoys facilitating MAEAP and working alongside local farmers to implement the benefits of this voluntary conservation program.  Chris works with these producers to identify these risks and turn them into long-term sustainability farming and landowner practices.  Chris is a proud dad of two sons, and has been working with the Conservation District in various positions since 1998, after graduating with a Forestry degree from Michigan Tech. 

Administrative Assistant

Kyra Allen

Kyra started as Administrative Assistant for the District in October of 2023. Kyra graduated from Northern Michigan University where she received a degree in Biology with a concentration in Ecology. Originally from Traverse City, Kyra moved to Charlevoix in the summer of 2023. In her off-time, she enjoys going for hikes, reading, knitting and exploring the Northwoods with her pup, Otis and fiancé, Ray.  Kyra looks forward to working for the Charlevoix Conservation District and helping promote the District ideals to the community. Kyra assists with general day to day office administrative needs as well as promoting district programs, events, annual plant sales and managing the rental needs for our community room.  

Board Chair

Tim Matchett

Tim Matchett has community involvement in his blood, and roots sunk deep into western Charlevoix County, specifically Marion Township, where he and his two sons own a centennial farm, Matchett Sheep Farm.  The family farm is a 1,200 acre multi-generation (3rd & 4th), family sheep farm with 1,800 ewes located south of Charlevoix.  Tim has served on the Conservation District Board since 1985, where he currently serves as chair.  In addition to serving as Marion Township Clerk, Tim has also been a long-time active Farm Bureau loyalist, where he has led the Charlevoix County Farm Bureau as one of its longest-running presidents.  

Board Vice Chair

Eric Beishlag

Eric resides in Eveline township where he custom pastures beef cattle, sells freezer beef and bales hay for his son and daughter-in-law's horse stable.  Eric has been in the logging business with his son, owning and operating Beishlag Forest Products Inc., where he follows Sustainable Forestry Initiative guidelines.  As a trustee for Eveline Township, Eric also sits on the Eveline Township Planning Commission.  Eric has served as a District Director rom 1982 to 1985, returning to the Board in 1996 and currently serves as the Charlevoix Conservation District's Vice Chairperson.

Board Treasurer

Zack Shaltz

Zack Shaltz has worked with the Charlevoix Conservation District for many years.  Zack was born in Detroit and spent many years abroad with the Army as a Command Sergeant Major before settling in northern Michigan in 1997.  Prior to being on the board, Zack also worked with Michigan Department of Agriculture and various MDA Farm*A*Syst programs for his small farm, including the current MAEAP program, under which he was verified in all four systems.   Zack is also a member of the local Charlevoix Farm Bureau and founding member of the Friends of the Boyne River (FoBR) group.  Most people know Zack from the local Hardware store in Boyne where he's worked since 2001.  Zack has also served on the Wilson Township Tax Board of Review since 2011 and has served on the district board since March 2020. Zack and his wife Holly have 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

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Board Member

Skylar MacNaughton

Skylar MacNaughton was born and raised in Boyne City Michigan, although his family is originally from Carson City, MI.  Skylar has a great passion for conservation, especially when it comes to Monarch butterflies and is currently the President/Founder of Michigan Butterfly Habitats Inc.  Skylar enjoys creating butterfly habitats in our area while inspiring others to do so as well.  Skylar, his wife, two kids  love camping and exploring what Michigan’s Mother Nature has to offer. The MacNaughton’s enjoy paddle boarding, walking nature preserves and just being outside together in their free time.  Skylar was appointed to the District Board in 2022 to take over for retiring long-time member, Ron Reinhardt. 

Board Member

Sara Matchett

Agriculture and conservation have always been a part of Sara’s life; she grew up on her family’s diverse organic farm, where they raised anything from dry beans to Belted Galloway cattle. After obtaining her degrees in Animal Science from Michigan State University, Sara worked with the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) serving producers in Ottawa County as they sought to achieve and maintain environmental stewardship standards on their operations. She spent a year working with the Michigan Right to Farm Program before moving to Charlevoix to farm full time with her husband Noah and his family. In her spare time she enjoys expanding her native garden and exploring new trails in Northern Michigan, and serving Charlevoix County residents and landowners as a member of the Conservation District Board.

Associate Board Member

Amanda Looze

Amanda is a passionate ecologist, an engineer, a US Air Force veteran, and a mother of two. She has immense respect for nature and a strong drive for maintaining and restoring natural environments and ecosystems. She brings a unique perspective, most notably from her experiences working at NOAA and for the Center for Sustainable Landscapes and Communities in Boulder, Colorado. She holds degrees in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder. Amanda loves calling Charlevoix County home and looks forward to becoming an impactful community member as an Associate Member of the Conservation District Board.