Friends of Touch of Nature Board

What We Do

The Friends of Touch of Nature is a not-for-profit, unincorporated organization comprised of persons committed to the improvement, development, and enrichment of Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center. The goals and objectives of the Friends organization is to:

• Increase the public knowledge of Touch of Nature.
• Conduct fundraising efforts and seek contributions of equipment and supplies within the Southern Illinois University's guidelines for fundraising.
• Foster support for Touch of Nature.
• Support the programming services offered at Touch of Nature.

Who We Are

Lyle White

Lyle has been an outdoor recreation enthusiast most of his life. He retired in 2016 after 27 years with SIUC as a Counselor Education faculty member. In his final year, Lyle served as Interim Dean for the College of Education and Human Services. In 2018, Lyle completed the training to be an Illinois Master Naturalist. Lyle joined the Friends Board in 2017 and was elected President in 2018.

 Joe Lenzini  

Joe has recently retired and is a registered Professional Civil Engineer in Illinois. Joe was born and raised in Carbondale along with five brothers and sisters who received numerous degrees from SIU. Joe earned his degrees in Forestry and Engineering. His affinity for TON began in 1965, when he attended a one-day Outdoor Labs camp at the Progress site. While in high school, he learned rock climbing and rappelling at Touch of Nature from Hank Schafermeyer. As an engineer, Joe has worked with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Anna Quarries, and E.T. Simonds Construction Company, where he has worked on a variety of project,s including the Green Earth Chautauqua Bottoms Trail and the Touch of Nature Mountain Bike Trail. Joe continues to serve on the SIU Civil Engineering Department's Professional Advisory.

Linda Crandle Brandon   

Linda was a junior camp counselor at Camp Little Giant from 1955-57 at Camp I, and taught archery and canoeing at Camp Little Giant. Ann Freeberg was one of her campers in her tent (at her father's request). She attended Indiana University on Dr. Freeberg's advice and majored in Recreation and Outdoor Education. When the Touch of Nature Friends Board was formed, she became part of the group, again, at Dr. Freeberg's request.

 Dennis Poshard 

Dennis was born and raised in Southern Illinois and attended various programs and events at Touch of Nature as a kid growing up in the region. He enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, paddle sports, and trail running. He credits his love of the outdoors to his 11 years living in Alaska from 1992-2003. He is currently the owner of Arthur Agency, a local advertising and marketing firm located in Carbondale, which was founded in 2003. He is also currently serving the Carbondale community as the Carbondale Township Supervisor. Dennis joined the board in 2022.

Patrick Jones

Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Patrick fell in love with the outdoor scenery of Southern Illinois after he relocated in 1998. He earned his MA in Mass Communications at SIU in 2004. He worked as the publicity and marketing coordinator at Touch of Nature from 2014-2022. He’s been busy before and since then, supporting, fundraising, volunteering and exploring the Shawnee National Forest and wild Southern Illinois.

Logan Brown