Meet the Facilitators

Brian D. Anderson

Illinois Natural History Survey, Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability, University of Illinois

Dr. Brian D. Anderson came to Illinois in 1985 to become the third Director of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC).  Under his 10-year leadership the INPC staff grew and protected over 100 new Illinois Nature Preserves.  During his tenure the Rules for Management of Illinois Nature Preserves were update, the Master Planning Process was modernized, and the Register of Land and Water Reserves was established.  During this period Brian also facilitated, and with Karen Witter staffed, Governor Edgar’s Water Resources and Land Use Priorities Task Force which laid the foundation for Conservation 2000.  After going on an intergovernmental exchange to the National Biological Service in Washington D.C., where he helped lay the groundwork for the establishment of the Biological Resources Division within the U.S. Geological Survey, Brian returned to accept the position of Conservation 2000 Coordinator with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).  He then helped establish the Ecosystem Partnership Program of Conservation 2000, and supported and promoted the CTAP, EcoWatch, and Watershed Management programs within IDNR.  Brian eventually also served IDNR as Director of the Office of Scientific Research and Analysis, where he served as liaison between IDNR and the Illinois Scientific Surveys and State Museum; and as Director of the Office of Resource Conservation.  In the former capacity he represented the IDNR Director on Governor Ryan’s Smart Growth Cabinet and Energy Subcabinet.  Brian left Illinois state government after nearly 20 years of service to become Chair of the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences at Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) in 2004.  In 2006 he became the Assistant to the President for Planning and Institutional Improvement at LLCC.  In May of 2008 Brian became the 8th Chief of the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), and immediately became immersed in migration of the INHS from State of Illinois oversight into the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (UIUC).  As one of many changes related to the transition to UIUC, his title has become “Director” of INHS.

Janet R. Burnett

County Extension Director, Madison/St. Clair Unit

Janet Burnett is the County Extension Director for University of Illinois Extension in Madison and St. Clair counties. She has a master's degree in public administration/public policy from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville and a bachelor's degree in home economics education from Eastern Illinois University.

In her role as county extension director, Burnett oversees Extension programming in four broad areas: nutrition, family and consumer sciences; community and economic development; agriculture and natural resources; and 4-H/youth development.   She is a member of the National Association Extension Consumer and Family Sciences and the League of Women Voters for the Edwardsville area.

Janet and her husband, John, residents of Edwardsville for 34 years, have two adult children.

Mike Jawson

U.S. Geological Survey, La Crosse, WI

Dr. Jawson is currently the Director of the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) in La Crosse, Wisconsin. UMESC is an USGS (United States Geological Services) Biology Center conducting research and monitoring on larger river ecosystems, endangered species, invasive species, wildlife ecology and conservation,  fisheries management chemicals and drugs, wildlife toxicology and geospatial information.  He has more than 30 years of experience working on environmental issues with the goal of improving environmental quality and ecosystem management.  Previous work experience includes that as a National Program Leader (Soil and Water, Manure and Byproduct Utilization, Climate Change and Integrated Agricultural Systems National Programs) for USDA-ARS (1996 – 2005), Chief of the Ecosystem Restoration Branch at US EPA's Environmental Research Laboratory in Ada, Oklahoma (1990 -1996), Assistant Professor of Environmental Microbiology at the University of Nebraska‑Lincoln (1983 - 1990), and Soil Scientist with USDA‑ARS (1976 - 1980).  He has degrees from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (1971), the University of Wisconsin-Madison (MS degrees in Soil Science and Water Resources Management in 1976) and Washington State University (PhD, 1983).

Ed Weilbacher

Coordinator
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Ed Weilbacher is the Coordinator providing technical assistance to the Southwestern Illinois Resource Conservation and Development Council for the past 18 years.  The Council covers the 7 counties in Southwestern Illinois of Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington.  The SWI RC&D is focused on “Respecting Our Environment, Growing our Future.”  The Southwestern Illinois RC&D is a regional not for profit 501 (c)(3) organization that has a 20 year track record of accomplishments in the area of natural resource enhancement and protection, sustainable economic development and water quality improvement.

Ed Weilbacher received his BS from Western Illinois University and has worked for USDA NRCS for 35 years in a variety of locations throughout Illinois.  He served as a technician in Belleville and Macomb, a District Conservationist in Woodstock, Danville and Sparta, an Agronomist/Resource Conservationist in Kankakee and 18 years as the Coordinator for the Southwestern Illinois Resource Conservation and Development in Mascoutah.

Ed and his wife Kathi live in Waterloo and own and operate the Senator Rickert Residence Bed and Breakfast.