Our Team
Sara L. Fehring, MA - 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 II
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!
Aaron Habig - Urban Technician II
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, M.A.T. - Education & AmeriCorps Program Mgr.
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 M.A.T. 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 M.A.T. 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.
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.
Teresa Slonaker - Education Coordinator
Teresa joined HCCD in November of 2023 as the Education Coordinator. She is responsible for providing education programs free of charge to schools, libraries, scouts, and the community. Teresa grew up in the Dayton, Ohio area and received both her B.A. in Zoology and M.A. in Biology from Miami University. She has bounced around the environmental education field as a zookeeper, naturalist, and program coordinator, and is excited to share her appreciation of the natural world with kids and adults in Hamilton County.
In her free time, Teresa enjoys birding, board games, and volunteering at her old zoo to visit her favorite screech-owl, Bowie.
In her free time, Teresa enjoys birding, board games, and volunteering at her old zoo to visit her favorite screech-owl, Bowie.
Rachel Cranmer - Marketing & Outreach Coordinator
Rachel joined Hamilton County in 2023 as the Marketing and Outreach Coordinator. She supports staff by highlighting their work for the public, engaging in public outreach, and overseeing the Regional Stormwater Collaborative. Before this, Rachel worked for nearly 10 years as an environmental educator teaching all ages about wildlife and sustainability at the Cincinnati Zoo and later at Keep Cincinnati Beautiful. Rachel has an M.A. in Biology from Miami University, an MSc in Narrative Futures from the University of Edinburgh, and a graduate certificate in Science Writing from Johns Hopkins.
Rachel is passionate about imagining thriving, just, and sustainable futures and communicating those possibilities and the steps needed to achieve them with the public. Rachel enjoys traveling, art, pickles, and pickleball.
Rachel is passionate about imagining thriving, just, and sustainable futures and communicating those possibilities and the steps needed to achieve them with the public. Rachel enjoys traveling, art, pickles, and pickleball.
Christopher Hall PE - Stream Specialist
Chris joined the District in March 2024 as the Stream Specialist. Chris is excited to join the Cooper Creek Collaborative as the coordinator for the Conservation District. This Collaborative is bringing together community members, both residents and business managers, water quality advocates, and technical experts to build a toolset of effective options to address water quality in our local streams, the groundwork for the future. Chris supports citizen science and is the coordinator for the restart of the Lower Little Miami River Saturday Stream Snapshot which monitors water quality in the Little Maimi basin, all with volunteers. He was formerly with the Metropolitan Sewer District where he worked on water quality initiatives including instream bio-assessments using Ohio Credible Data Rule level 3 fish and macroinvertebrate methods.
Nicole Gunderman, MA - Agriculture Specialist
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Nicole is passionate about sustainable food production, healthy food systems, and developing agricultural literacy. As the District’s Agriculture Specialist, she envisions a robust, well-supported, and conservation-focused agricultural community in Hamilton County. Working with both traditional and non-traditional producers, along with community and backyard gardeners, Nicole connects people with information, resources, opportunities, and each other.
Previous to joining the District, Nicole was at Gorman Heritage Farm for 10 years, most recently serving as Executive Director. Her experience there contributed to her deep love of farms and commitment to food production methods that are good for people and the environment. Nicole earned her BA from The Ohio State University and an MA Biology from Miami University with an emphasis on regenerative agriculture and farm-based education. She holds a permaculture design certification (CPI) and is a certified interpretive guide (NAI). Outside of work, Nicole enjoys horseback riding, being outdoors with her husband and two dogs, visiting her son in Chicago, and eating good food. |
Lindsay Horan - Water Resource Data Management AmeriCorps Member
Lindsay is the Water Resources Data Management AmeriCorps Member and will be serving on projects such as the Cooper Creek Collaborative.
Lindsay is originally from New York City. She developed her love for data, research, and education as an undergraduate at Boston University where she participated in several astrophysics research studies and volunteered at public open nights at the university’s observatory. Her degree is in Physics and Astronomy. Lindsay moved to Arizona soon after graduation. During her time in Phoenix, she worked at an early college high school, and in her spare time, she took coursework in Hydrology. Her passion for water resources was sparked by participating in an internship with the USGS. Now, after finishing her career as an educator, she is shifting her focus professionally to water resources.
Lindsay enjoys relaxing with her husband and cat, hiking, running, and traveling to her extended family all over the US.
Lindsay is originally from New York City. She developed her love for data, research, and education as an undergraduate at Boston University where she participated in several astrophysics research studies and volunteered at public open nights at the university’s observatory. Her degree is in Physics and Astronomy. Lindsay moved to Arizona soon after graduation. During her time in Phoenix, she worked at an early college high school, and in her spare time, she took coursework in Hydrology. Her passion for water resources was sparked by participating in an internship with the USGS. Now, after finishing her career as an educator, she is shifting her focus professionally to water resources.
Lindsay enjoys relaxing with her husband and cat, hiking, running, and traveling to her extended family all over the US.
Maiya Miller - Education AmeriCorps Member
Maiya is serving as the Education Assistant AmeriCorps Member. She will be working closely with the Education Coordinator on the Caring for Our Watersheds program and other education programs in neighboring high schools.
Maiya graduated from The University of Cincinnati in 2022 with a B. S. in Environmental Studies and a Minor in Biology. She is excited to meet different members of the community through her service with AmeriCorps and wants to get as much out of this time as possible.
Maiya graduated from The University of Cincinnati in 2022 with a B. S. in Environmental Studies and a Minor in Biology. She is excited to meet different members of the community through her service with AmeriCorps and wants to get as much out of this time as possible.
Jen Cavanaugh - Public Involvement AmeriCorps Member
Jen was born and raised in Hamilton County and recently graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Environmental Science. While in school, she was involved in the Bee Club and has a passion for pollinators and their importance to our greater ecosystem. Jen’s excitement for environmental education and working with the public originated at the Cincinnati Zoo, where she worked in the Education Department as a Summer Camp Instructor for the last two summers. This work will be continued as a Public Involvement AmeriCorps Member as she facilitates opportunities for the community to connect with the natural world around them and aid in the implementation of conservation projects alongside students, residents, and other conservation agencies, varying from traditional classroom style programs to scientific data collection. Outside of service, Jen enjoys traveling, reading, walks in nature, and recently, pickleball.
Abbie Frazer - GIS Technician (Clermont County) AmeriCorps Member
Abbie is a new Watershed Technician AmeriCorps Member, serving at Clermont and Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation Districts. She will be helping with monitoring and sampling at locations including the Williamsburg Wetland Treatment System and the McCafferty Road Edge of Field site. Abbie will also be serving to assist Clermont SWCD in basin inspections, field mapping of storm sewer infrastructure, nine-element watershed management plans, and other specialized district events.
Abbie received her associate's in environmental studies from the University of Cincinnati and plans to continue her education in the upcoming years by pursuing a bachelor's degree in the same program. In the meantime, she wishes to focus her time on developing professional skills, working with the community, and getting acquainted with different career opportunities in the field she obtained her degree in. She is very excited to be serving with AmeriCorps over the next year.
Abbie received her associate's in environmental studies from the University of Cincinnati and plans to continue her education in the upcoming years by pursuing a bachelor's degree in the same program. In the meantime, she wishes to focus her time on developing professional skills, working with the community, and getting acquainted with different career opportunities in the field she obtained her degree in. She is very excited to be serving with AmeriCorps over the next year.