Our Team
Sara L. Fehring, MA - Interim Executive Director
Sara started working for the Soil and Water Conservation District in July of 2015. She plans public involvement events as well as presents educational programs to local schools, libraries and community groups where she provides them with hands on presentations about soil and water conservation.
Sara graduated from Miami University in 2013 with a B.A in Zoology and again from Miami in 2016 with a M.A in Biology. Prior to her employment with the Soil and Water Conservation District she worked for the City of Fairfield as a Naturalist. Sara enjoys working with kids and is looking forward to meeting with local groups and schools in the community.
Sara graduated from Miami University in 2013 with a B.A in Zoology and again from Miami in 2016 with a M.A in Biology. Prior to her employment with the Soil and Water Conservation District she worked for the City of Fairfield as a Naturalist. Sara enjoys working with kids and is looking forward to meeting with local groups and schools in the community.
Mendi Hartley - Business Service Officer
Mendi joined HCSWCD in November 2021 as the Business Service Officer. Before that she was a bookkeeper for a construction company in Middletown, Ohio. Mendi received her Child Day Care Certifications in 1996. While in the early childhood education field she was a teacher and a Preschool Administrator for 5+ years. In 2009, she changed her career path by going back to school and getting her Associated in Business Administration from Everest University. She has used that degree to give her 10+ years of experience as AP/AR, Staff Accountant, and Bookkeeper.
Mendi is originally from Columbus Ohio and has a twin sister; (they are not identical). She has been married 25+ years with two kids and two dogs. In her spare time, she invested 10+ years with the Boy Scouts of America and American Heritage Girls with multiple positions including Assistant Scoutmaster, Treasurer, and Charter Organization Representative.
Mendi is originally from Columbus Ohio and has a twin sister; (they are not identical). She has been married 25+ years with two kids and two dogs. In her spare time, she invested 10+ years with the Boy Scouts of America and American Heritage Girls with multiple positions including Assistant Scoutmaster, Treasurer, and Charter Organization Representative.
Chey Alberto, CPESC - Urban Conservationist
Chey Alberto serves as lead of the Earthwork Program and assists in the administration of the Hamilton County Earthwork Regulations, which include plan reviews and site inspections to ensure that earthwork projects remain in compliance. This also includes assistance to engineers, developers and builders in implementing soil conservation and storm water pollution prevention Best Management Practices during the construction phase development projects. The program also provide assistance landowners with drainage and erosion and conservation issues.
Chey moved to Hamilton County from the Philippines where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also has an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Environmental Engineering Technology from Cincinnati State and Technical College. His previous experience prior to joining the District is in the environmental field doing site remediation, environmental sampling and status reporting. He also has construction experience conducting geotechnical testing of engineered fills. His most recent position was with Foppe Technical Group as a Staff Engineer.
Chey moved to Hamilton County from the Philippines where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also has an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Environmental Engineering Technology from Cincinnati State and Technical College. His previous experience prior to joining the District is in the environmental field doing site remediation, environmental sampling and status reporting. He also has construction experience conducting geotechnical testing of engineered fills. His most recent position was with Foppe Technical Group as a Staff Engineer.
Jim Gleason, CESSWI - Urban Technician II
Jim is responsible for ensuring compliance to the Hamilton County Earthwork Regulations by performing site inspections and providing technical assistance to builders and landowners.
Jim was born and raised in Hamilton County. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2012 with a B.S. in Geology and a B.S. in Environmental Studies. After graduation, he interned at UC and the Mill Creek Watershed Council where he is also part of their volunteer water quality monitoring program. He has done volunteer GIS work for Rivers Unlimited and Great Parks of Hamilton County. He recently graduated from Cincinnati State with a degree in Stormwater Management.
Jim has held a lifelong interest in science, nature and conserving natural resources. This has pushed him to focus his efforts on protecting our local water resources and improving water quality. He enjoys hiking local parks with his dogs.
Jim was born and raised in Hamilton County. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2012 with a B.S. in Geology and a B.S. in Environmental Studies. After graduation, he interned at UC and the Mill Creek Watershed Council where he is also part of their volunteer water quality monitoring program. He has done volunteer GIS work for Rivers Unlimited and Great Parks of Hamilton County. He recently graduated from Cincinnati State with a degree in Stormwater Management.
Jim has held a lifelong interest in science, nature and conserving natural resources. This has pushed him to focus his efforts on protecting our local water resources and improving water quality. He enjoys hiking local parks with his dogs.
Haley Golsch - Urban Technician
Haley joined HCSWCD in May 2022 as Urban Technician I. She is responsible for performing site inspections to ensure all Hamilton County Earthwork regulations are being met and held to standard. Haley was raised in Okeana, Ohio. Since being young she has always enjoyed anything that has to do with being outdoors, animals, and the environment. That then ensued her to get a degree that she could use to help the environment and work outdoors. Haley attended Cincinnati State and completed her studies in 2020 with a degree in Environmental Engineering Technology. Haley had the opportunity to Co-Op with McKenzie Landscape and Garden Center and had been working with them since graduating. She enjoys traveling, snowboarding, paddle boarding, riding dirt bikes, and spending time with her dogs, family, and friends!
Emily Hoskins, MA - Urban Technician
Emily Hoskins earned her Master’s Degree in Biology in 2017 and has since taught Environmental Science for Skool Aid. Emily has worked with hundreds of students from schools throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky to foster an appreciation for conservation in the next generation of environmentalists. She also serves on the board of Queen City Pollinator Project, which works to protect and support pollinators through education and action for the improved health of the community.
Aaron Habig - Conservation Program Specialist
Aaron joined the Earthwork team in 2016. He assists landowners with drainage and erosion issues and is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Hamilton County Earthwork Regulations by performing site inspections.
Aaron was raised in the Cincinnati area and started his college program at the University of Cincinnati. He graduated from Warren Wilson College with a B.A. in Environmental Studies, with a concentration in Forest Management. Aaron previously worked for Clermont SWCD, ODNR, and spent many years in the home improvement industry.
Aaron has always been interested in the outdoors and natural resource conservation. He is an Eagle Scout. Aaron and his wife enjoy travel, hiking, biking, and canoeing.
Aaron was raised in the Cincinnati area and started his college program at the University of Cincinnati. He graduated from Warren Wilson College with a B.A. in Environmental Studies, with a concentration in Forest Management. Aaron previously worked for Clermont SWCD, ODNR, and spent many years in the home improvement industry.
Aaron has always been interested in the outdoors and natural resource conservation. He is an Eagle Scout. Aaron and his wife enjoy travel, hiking, biking, and canoeing.
Gwen Z Roth, MAT - Education Specialist
Gwen works hard to teach conservation issues to students and adults because she understands the connection between loving our planet and conserving its natural resources.
Gwen presents conservation education programs, implements many workshops and events and coordinates the Caring For Our Watersheds (Ohio) competition for high school students.
She graduated from the University of Toledo with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies and a MAT in Biological Sciences from Miami University. Before joining the District she worked for the Cincinnati Park Board as a Naturalist and as a National Park Service Ranger at the William Howard Taft National Historic Site. Gwen enjoys traveling, gardening, quilting and watching college basketball.
Gwen presents conservation education programs, implements many workshops and events and coordinates the Caring For Our Watersheds (Ohio) competition for high school students.
She graduated from the University of Toledo with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies and a MAT in Biological Sciences from Miami University. Before joining the District she worked for the Cincinnati Park Board as a Naturalist and as a National Park Service Ranger at the William Howard Taft National Historic Site. Gwen enjoys traveling, gardening, quilting and watching college basketball.
Adam C. Lehmann, M.En, GIP - Stream Specialist
Adam runs the District’s Watershed Management Program. This program is focused on mitigating water resources related impacts for Hamilton County landowners to restore healthy ecosystems and ecosystem services, and build climate resilient communities. Adam provides leadership and technical assistance (locally and regionally) in watershed planning that is informed by a data driven approach of pairing documented impairments with solutions that are tested through scientifically rigorous demonstrations and modeling. He leads collaborative efforts to test cutting-edge mitigation strategies for this purpose. Adam also works with local landowners to implement these solutions in strategic locations, and provide free consultations to local landowners regarding, streambank erosion problems, flooding, and general water resource management concerns.
Adam received bachelor’s degrees in geography and environmental science from Miami University in 2006. After graduation, he worked as a research scientist for USEPA, studying watershed management and stream ecology. While working for USEPA, he earned a Master’s degree in environmental science from Miami University. He then worked as a consultant for five years helping clients comply with Clean Water Act regulations and mitigate for stream and wetland impacts. He began working for the District in 2016.
Adam received bachelor’s degrees in geography and environmental science from Miami University in 2006. After graduation, he worked as a research scientist for USEPA, studying watershed management and stream ecology. While working for USEPA, he earned a Master’s degree in environmental science from Miami University. He then worked as a consultant for five years helping clients comply with Clean Water Act regulations and mitigate for stream and wetland impacts. He began working for the District in 2016.
Sarah Meadows - Public Involvement Coordinator
Sarah grew up in Hamilton County, and graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a B.S. in biology and a minor in chemistry. Prior to coming on board with HCSWCD, she worked for 8 years with a local water conservation nonprofit, the Ohio River Foundation, where she managed local stream education programs and environmental restoration projects. She also worked with other local environmental organizations including the WAVE Foundation and Bulls Run Nature Sanctuary. This led her down the path to finding her passion for freshwater ecosystems that she brings to her position with HCSWCD. Sarah firmly believes that our freshwater resources are not only extremely valuable ecologically, but because they provide clean drinking water and recreation opportunities to the public. She hopes to share her passion with others through education and action to create a positive impact on the quality of our Hamilton County rivers and streams. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys camping, hiking, running, gardening, making cookies, playing violin, and discovering new and interesting things about nature.
Grace Davis - Seasonal Intern 2023
Grace started working with the HCCD in January 2023. She works with the education programs and has assisted in the 2023 Caring For Our Watersheds Ohio competition. She has previously interned at other environmental organizations including the Educated Choices Program and Ohio Citizen Action. Grace is graduating from the University of Cincinnati in April 2023 with a B.S. in Environmental Studies, a minor in Political Science and a certificate in Social Justice. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, adding to her plant collection, and hot yoga.