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Ecology Action Center hired avid environmentalist as director
By Mary Ann Ford
mford@pantagraph.com
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NORMAL -- A Peoria man who has devoted his life to environmental issues has been hired to replace outgoing Ecology Action Center director Michelle Covi.

Michael Brown, who currently works at the Peoria County Health Department as a sanitarian for environmental health, will start his new position Nov. 28.

“He had all the characteristics we were looking for,” said Ecology Action Center Board President Nancy Armstrong. “He fit the bill.”

Armstrong cited the fact that Brown has knowledge working with governments. The Ecology Action Center receives money from Bloomington, Normal and McLean County to provide environmental education for residents.

The board also wanted someone “with a passion for environmental activism,” Armstrong said.

Brown admits the environment is his passion.

He is president of Peoria Wilds, a volunteer group which focuses on ecological restoration of natural areas. He formerly was manager of the Peoria Park District’s summer park, an environmentally-based program.

While in the Peace Corps, he did conservation and environmental education for a national park in Bulgaria. In Ameri Corps, he worked with an ecological monitoring program.

Brown, who has a degree in biological sciences from Southern Illinois University, was one of 19 applicants for the Ecology Action Center post and one of three finalists.

“I was immediately enthralled with the organization -- the diversity of its programs and services,” Brown said of the center. “They’ve done a lot of great work so far.”

Armstrong said the board would like Brown to focus on expanding the center’s membership base and find funding sources “so we can provide broader education and advocacy programs.”

“As an outsider, I’ll bring a fresh perspective,” he said. “I’m excited about jumping right in. It’s a big priority for me to get to know the community.”

Covi, who has served as director for nine years, is moving with her husband who has accepted a job at East Carolina University. She will be leaving in a few weeks.

Brown said he and his wife, Beverly Beyer, who works at Illinois State University, have no immediate plans to move from Peoria.

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Reader comments on this story - 8 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Pippi wrote on Nov 26, 2007 10:43 AM:

" Let's give the guy the benefit of the doubt and assume he and his wife will move to Bloomington after he starts his new postion and gets aclimated to the Bloomington area before we make harsh judgements. Let's check in on this at a later date. "

Different View wrote on Nov 20, 2007 9:04 AM:

" Shouldn't we perhaps focus on the fact that he has "devoted his life to environmental issues" or that he has a "passion for environmental activism" or that Armstrong herself said " He had all the characteristics we were looking for." Wouldn't this be more relevant? Since he was chosen from 19 other applicants, I think that he is indeed the best for the job. "

yea mike wrote on Nov 19, 2007 3:29 PM:

" it'll be good to have you here in b-town! "

Envo wrote on Nov 19, 2007 12:33 PM:

" Maybe they can show how much they care by riding thier bikes everyday. "

LH wrote on Nov 19, 2007 8:04 AM:

" The Ecology Action Center receives money from Bloomington, Normal and Mclean County tax payers. I wonder what this position's salary is and is it really needed? Sounds like another waste of my taxpayer's dollars. Lets raise taxes some more and take some more of our money to pay programs like this. Great idea. Lets never cut out a program like this, lets just force the people to give more of their hard earned income. "

Captain Fantastic wrote on Nov 18, 2007 9:22 PM:

" What was said: Beyer and his wife "have no immediate plans to move from Peoria." What wasn't said: Beyer and his wife "will burn countless gallons of gasoline and emit tons of carbon-based pollutants so they commute five days a week from their beloved river city." Oh, the irony! "

Judydome wrote on Nov 18, 2007 8:54 PM:

" Does this program really need to exist? I believe we can slash this program to help pay for the Coliseum. Everyone must sacrifice for the good of the Judydome ( and the BCPA) "

so... wrote on Nov 18, 2007 8:17 PM:

" the head of an environmental organization will drive back and forth from peoria to work in bloomington normal? Were there NO local citizens from bloomington normal to take the job? how does all that driving and burning gas help with our ecology? that don't make much sense. in fact that is called a hypocrisy in my book. "
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