Staff Bios

Mark did his graduate work in Minnesota on Great Gray Owls and then went on to organize and direct Chicago's Peregrine Falcon release program. Under his leadership, Chicago hosted the first nest of peregrines anywhere in Illinois in 37 years. In 1989, Mark returned to Minnesota where he worked with the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and other conservation organizations. In early 1995, after completing work on a 5,000 square-foot raptor exhibit with the Science Museum of Minnesota, Mark migrated back to Illinois to become Executive Director of the Stillman Nature Center in Barrington. He co-authored the life history of the Monk Parakeet, published in 1998, for the A.O.U.’s Birds of North America series. His articles on birds of prey and introduced species have appeared in various publications including Birder's World and the Journal of the Association of Avian Veterinarians. Mark has worked as an ornithologist or naturalist in six states conducting raptor demonstrations for nearly 30 years. During his career, Mark has worked with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden,

National Audubon Society, and Chicago Academy of Sciences. Besides running Stillman, Mark teaches Environmental Biology

at the College of Lake County.

Susan Allman

Susan Allman recently retired from Schaumburg School District 54 after teaching second, third, and fourth grade for 33 years. She received her undergraduate teaching degree from the National College of Education and got her Master's of Science in education, with an emphasis in Outdoor Education, from Northern Illinois University. Susan wrote second, third and fourth grade science curriculum used in Dist. 54

and directed the District's award-winning Project CARE, an energy awareness program aimed at 4th - 6th grade students. Ms. Allman has conducted science workshops for various groups including the corporation that sponsored cable TV's Mr. Wizard. She also taught graduate level courses in Seasonal Science for Aurora University. In addition to her educator duties, Susan has been the President of Stillman Nature Center for over twenty years and North Barrington's Village Forester for over ten years.