We asked: Why did you join the board?
Heather Huffstutler:
Water has always been at the center of my life. As the daughter of a Coast Guardsman, I grew up with a deep respect for lakes, rivers, and open spaces, and that sense of connection has carried me through my career and my life choices.
I moved to Petoskey in 2013 to join the Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy, after living in many places and longing for a smaller community close to the Great Lakes. Since then, Northern Michigan has truly become home. Now, with my husband, Shaun, and his two kids, I feel rooted here in ways that continue to deepen my appreciation for this region and its waters.
For more than 20 years, I’ve worked in land conservation and stewardship across Michigan and beyond—helping landowners and communities protect family lands, restore ecosystems, and strengthen their connection to place. Along the way, I’ve had some unique experiences, from serving with AmeriCorps in Vermont to earning a wildland firefighter card in North Dakota. No matter where I’ve been, what excites me most is helping people understand and act on their relationship with the land and water around them.
In my current role as Executive Director of Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, I’ve also found a passion for organizational leadership and building strong partnerships. I love the work of bringing people together—community members, legislators, landowners, and leaders—to care for our shared natural resources.
Joining the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association board feels like a natural next step. MLSA’s mission resonates deeply with me, and I’m excited to bring my experience, my connections, and my love for Michigan’s lakes and streams to support its work. This isn’t just professional for me—it’s personal. Protecting these waters means protecting the heart of the place I’ve chosen to call home.
Richard Meeks:
I attended my first MLSA Annual Conference in 2005. Attending the break-out sessions and interacting with attendees from other lakes was enjoyable and educational. The topics presented at the conferences I have attended have continued to be timely, and the presenters knowledgeable.
This experience was partially responsible for my continuing and expanding my involvement in the Higgins Lake environment. I did the Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program water quality testing on Higgins for 11 years. I have served on several community advisory committees and as Vice President of the Higgins Lake Property Owners’ Association and Vice Chair of the Higgins Lake Foundation.
Over the years of my involvement, I have observed that, as more people spend more time enjoying Michigan’s lakes and streams, the negative impacts increase. The issues affecting the environment and quality of life in the places we value are ubiquitous: invasive species, boat noise, boat speed, wake boats, day-long boat-cluster parties, water quality degradation, short-term rentals, etc. I believe MLSA, through its educational outreach, is making people more aware of the ramifications of these activities.
Another factor affecting this phenomenon is that, in northern Michigan in particular, the percentage of absentee property owners is very high. These residents who are not registered to vote on local issues must rely on Lansing and the state legislature for help. I believe that MLSA’s involvement with the legislature and state agencies is beneficial to riparian property owners.
MLSA is a leader in addressing current issues facing riparian property owners, and I am happy to be able to participate as a board member in this endeavor.