Conservancy's Strong Leadership Continues

Bill Taylor, of Calhoun County抯 Duck Lake, was recently elected President of the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy.  He succeeds Dave Haywood, of Lansing, who became the new Board Chairperson.

Taylor grew up in Lansing and attended school there; however, spent a great deal of time on the shores of Duck Lake.  His father and grandfather encouraged his involvement in outdoor activities from an early age.  His uncle, Curly Davenport, was a prominent wildlife biologist with the old Michigan Conservation Department.  The three men instilled in Taylor an appreciation for the environment and a sense of stewardship of all natural resources.  

Taylor completed a degree in Forestry from Michigan State University, but spent 33 years working for various federal health agencies.  He retired from the National Institutes of Health in Washington DC, in 1999, and returned to Duck Lake.  Taylor抯 relative and fellow MWC supporter, Carl Haussman, strongly encouraged him to become involved with the Conservancy.  

Each year Taylor takes a fishing trip to Ontario抯 Lake Nipigon with friends.  He also takes the time to hunt or explore nature at least once per year in Central Montana.  Taylor writes a weekly column on nature for the Springport Signal and serves on the board of the Springport High School Scholarship Foundation.  

Dave Haywood, long-time Board member and former Conservancy President, was elected Chairman of the Board.  Haywood, of Lansing, spent 17 years with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, beginning as a conservation officer and becoming the Chief of the Land, Lakes and Streams Section of the Land and Water Management Division.  Haywood went to law school at night and graduated in 1979.  In 1982 he started practicing law full-time, specializing in environmental law.  

Haywood grew up in the Muskegon area and has always been interested in the outdoors.  He enjoys pheasant hunting and boating, and has had a life-long interest in protecting the Great Lakes. 

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