Meet the Staff!
Daryl Bernard
Executive Director
dbernard@sevenponds.org
Daryl grew up in the Saginaw Bay area and earned a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Elementary Education from Saginaw Valley State University. He taught middle school as a science teacher for 18 years. In 2017, Daryl became Executive Director at Seven Ponds. He enjoys birding within the county of Lapeer, throughout our great state of Michigan, and beyond. Daryl is inspired by sharing the outdoors with others. Working at Seven Ponds provides an opportunity to impact the community in a positive, lasting manner. His hero is Roger Tory Peterson, who helped make the natural world accessible to the masses by bringing it home to us in small, portable field guides - which made up the bulk of Daryl's reading while growing up. Daryl lives for road trips and exploring places he has never before been.
Carrie Spencer
Director of Environmental Education
cspencer@sevenponds.org
A Michigan native, Carrie earned her bachelor's degree in Fisheries and Wildlife with a concentration in Wildlife Conservation and Management from Michigan State University. She recently earned a master's degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Administration and Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Michigan-Flint. Carrie's love of the out-of-doors started as a kid as she adventured into the woods and swamps around her childhood home with her siblings. Her sense of wonder about the natural world started in those woods, and has only strengthened and flourished at Seven Ponds. One of Carrie's favorite things about working here is sharing that curiosity with our visitors, and seeing their sense of wonder catch fire.
Adrianna Allen
Naturalist
aallen@sevenponds.org
Bio and photo coming soon!
Paula Cope
Office Manager
pcope@sevenponds.org
Born in the city of Troy, Michigan, Paula has built a rich and fulfilling life in the charming town of Capac since 1978. One of Paula's greatest passions is gardening, a hobby she indulges in both indoors and outdoors. Her green thumb has transformed her home into a colorful oasis, where flowers bloom and plants thrive under her care. The beauty she cultivates reflects her nurturing spirit and love for the simple joys of life. When not tending to her garden, Paula finds solace in the world of literature. A devoted reader, she immerses herself in the pages of books, exploring new worlds and perspectives. Paula's love for the outdoors extends beyond her garden. Walking is not just a form of exercise for her but a meditative practice that allows her to connect with nature and clear her mind. Whether strolling through the quaint streets of Capac or exploring nearby parks, Paula finds joy in every step.
Madison Christol
Naturalist
mchristol@sevenponds.org
Madison is a native Georgian who grew up exploring the North Georgia Mountains where she fell in love with being outside. She moved up to Michigan to experience a new place and expand her natural resources knowledge. She earned a B.S.F.R. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management from the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources with a minor in Geography. Madison found her calling as a Naturalist during a college internship where she worked with people of all ages and backgrounds. Seven Ponds intrigued her because of its natural beauty, outstanding educational opportunities, and close-knit community. In her free time she enjoys writing, reading, and exploring all of the new and exciting nature in Michigan.
Gina Stoldt
Weekday Receptionist & Gift Shop Manager
gstoldt@sevenponds.org
Gina and her family have returned to the area after living out of state for five years in Wisconsin and the last ten years in Iowa. While she enjoyed exploring those places and making friends along the way, she has always longed to return to the "mitten" state. As a child growing up in Attica, Gina loved to spend time outside. She could be found tagging along with her Dad doing outdoor chores or helping plant flowers with her Grandma. Field trips to Seven Ponds with her classmates were a favorite school event. Today, Gina loves gardening and enjoying outdoor activities with her family and friends.
Del Hunsinger
Maintenance
Del grew up around the ponds and attended Dryden schools. He joined the Seven Ponds staff as a seasonal maintenance man in the summer of 2021, and returned again in 2022. Del's presence greatly enhanced our ability to complete projects around the center - such as our Treetop Pond dock rebuild, boathouse roof job, Waterfowl Pond teaching deck, Naturescape, pavilion, and many others. Del takes great pride in making sure the nature center grounds look their very best. Del joined the staff in a year-round capacity in May, 2023.
Damian Goidich
Weekend Receptionist
dgoidich@sevenponds.org
Damian is a Michigan native from the west side of the state. He has both a BFA (Illustration) and an MFA (Drawing) from Kendall College of Art & Design in Grand Rapids. Damian was a professional freelance Illustrator for twelve years and a college instructor of Illustration for fifteen years. His love of nature began within the sandy pine forests of his youth, a time of exploration, play, and imagination that molded his understanding of the natural world and the importance of protecting and maintaining its ecosystems. "As a visual artist, I’m trained to see the world around me with clarity and curiosity, to inspect things and ask questions. The natural world is a never-ending source for this practice and deeply rewarding on a personal level. I am excited to be a part of the Seven Ponds legacy and its mission of education and sustainability!"