Alan Branhagen lives in Rockford and has been the Executive Director of the Natural Land Institute since July 2023
Alan was Director of Operations at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in suburban Minneapolis-St. Paul (America’s 15th largest public botanical garden) from 2017-2023 where he managed Horticulture, Plant Curation, and Natural Resource Management of the 1,200-acre site as well as its over 200,000 square feet of Facilities.
From 1996-2017 Alan was Director of Horticulture at Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical garden where he was in charge of all horticulture and site planning as well as resource management of the 915-acre site.
Alan’s career began at the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County in Rockford, Illinois where for almost a decade he was in charge of all forest preserves’ planning, development and management. He was part of the beginning of the Klehm Arboretum which launched his public horticulture career. Alan’s career has come full circle back to Rockford.
Alan has a Bachelor’s of Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University and a Masters of Landscape Architecture from Louisiana State University. He is an all-around plantsman and naturalist specializing in Birds, Butterflies, Botany, and planning and design with Nature. He is the author of 3 books: The Gardeners Butterfly Book, Native Plants of the Midwest and The Midwest Native Plant Primer.
Kim Johnsen lives in Rockford, Illinois, where she grew up. She has been the Director of Marketing & Membership for Natural Land Institute since 2011. In this role Kim coordinates PR, marketing, advertising, and newsletters. She organizes events, manages NLI’s website and many social media accounts, coordinates volunteers, secures sponsorships and assists with fundraising campaigns. Prior to working at NLI Kim worked as Account Executive for WTVO-Channel 17, Executive Director of River District Association and Administrator of Clock Tower Dinner Theatre.
She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts (Speech/Theatre) from Judson College (now University) and received Master Naturalist training through the University of Illinois Extension program.
She serves the children in the community as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Rockford since 2012 and was a member of the City of Rockford’s Zoning Board of Appeals and Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board from 2014 - 2025. She served on the board of her condo association for two years.
Kim is married with no children and loves learning new things - especially about the natural world. She enjoys traveling, cooking, gardening, writing, drawing, reading, and taking nature hikes.
Alan and Kim will talk about the Natural Land Institute and some of the services it provides. They will also share what is happening in the future and how we can become involved with the NLI.
This will be an interesting and informative program and one to invite a guest or prospective member to join us in person at Veteran's Memorial Hall or via zoom.
Elise Cadigan will introduce our presenters and act as Rotary host.
