Staff

 

 

Kelly Baltusis joined the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary staff in February of 2025 as the Avian Care Technician. Kelly has a B.S. in Conservation Biology from Michigan State University. She has worked with birds since the summer of 2021 where she became an intern at the Burke Lake Banding station. Kelly spends her free time dancing, hammocking, spending time with family and friends, and of course always looking for birds.

Email: baltusi2@msu.edu

Phone: (269) 671-2510

 

 

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Casandra DeBoer joined the Bird Sanctuary staff in December of 2021 as a Resource Center Clerk. She has a B.A. in English Literature and Language Art, and a minor in Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University. She is a nature enthusiast and is here to learn more about the world of birds right along with you.  When she is not at work she can be found spending time with her family, Girl Scouting, crafting or playing with one of the family pets.

 

Email: deboerc6@kbs.msu.edu

Phone: (269) 671-2356

 

 

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Lisa Duke joined the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary in May 2012 as the Animal Caretaker and is now the Sanctuary Manager.  Lisa has a B.S. in Zoology from Michigan State University with a concentration in Zoo and Aquarium Science.  Lisa has a love of the outdoors and all animals found in it.  She resides in Battle Creek, MI with her husband, sons, and plethora of pets.

Email: lisaduke@kbs.msu.edu

Phone: (269) 671-2511

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Brenden Kokx joined the Sanctuary in July of 2020 and is now the Avian Caretaker. He has a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Michigan State University. He found an affinity for birds while serving as the Joe Johnson Fellowship intern here at the Sanctuary in 2017. He loves all things adventure, but especially birding, hiking, and hammocking. When he’s not at work, he and his wife, CeeJay, spend as much time as they can outside with their dogs.

Email: kokxbren@msu.edu

Phone: 269-671-2181

 

 

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Rylee Lorenz joined the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary for summer 2025 as a Naturalist. She holds a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry from Grand Valley State University, and brings experience in raptor rehabilitation, farm and exotic animal care, and outdoor science education. At home, she enjoys foraging for morel mushrooms in the spring and spending time with her two adventurous ferrets, Penelope and Pansy.

Email: lorenzry@msu.edu