Faust, reached by phone in the midst of packing for her impending move, said she is very excited about taking on the new position July 1. “Aullwood is such an incredible place, I’ve never seen a place that’s so dedicated to the education of young people,” she said. “It’s their top priority and that’s not always the case.”
When a friend first showed her the job announcement, Faust was intrigued by the idea of a nature center connected to a farm. “A lot of times people put conservation and farming on opposite ends of a spectrum, but you can do both in harmony,” she said. “We can help teach that to people.”
The official announcement cites Faust’s mix of experiences and skills in science, conservation and natural history education. In her most recent position in Indiana, she spearheaded the reimagining of the 360-acre facility and program into a world leader on oak species conservation. She more than tripled visitation, kicked off a capital campaign and funded innovative work such as a Children’s Adventure Garden that focused on farm-to-table values, including breeding endangered heritage farm animals. Prior to that, she led the planning for a science center in Tucson, Arizona.
“Across a varied career she has brought creative ideas to environmental education in inner city schools, reintroduced Trumpeter Swans to their former ranges, designed and installed an American Woodcock refuge, and interpreted tall grass prairies, woodlands and wetlands,” said Cendy Hernandez, Human Resources Manager for Mississippi and Pacific Flyways, National Audubon Society.
Pat Turnbull, vice president of the Friends of Aullwood board, has been coming to Aullwood since he was a child and said he’s excited about Faust’s past experience, especially with similar nonprofits. ” I love the energy that she’s going to bring to the organization,” he said.
Faust, who is moving from Chesterton, Indiana — a mile from the Indiana Dunes — will live on the Aullwood site. “Dayton and Englewood are such lovely areas,” she said. ” It’s so beautiful there, with all of the rolling hills.”
A retirement party for Krueger will take place Aug. 30.
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