Member Spotlight - July 2021

Kim Haag

 

Kim’s initial experience with the arts was through her weaving classes at Northern Illinois University. Through Dr. Shazaman at NIU, Kim was directed to the Fine Line when it was located on 5th in downtown Geneva to buy a loom from Denise Kavanagh. Kim was one of the many who helped Fine Line move to Twin Silos. She considered getting a studio art degree in weaving, but decided instead to continue teaching while working on her doctorate in Curriculum and Administration.

After teaching special education for 35 years, which included being a special education administrator for 12 years, Kim eventually retired from teaching full time. She enrolled in the inaugural Kane County Naturalist Program in 2007 and said that the decision truly changed her life. In addition to teaching outdoor education programs for the St. Charles Park District, she began volunteering for the Kane County Forest Preserve, and eventually became a Steward for Johnson’s Mound in Elburn. She also joined the local chapter of Wild Ones when it began in Kane County in 2009 and is currently president of the Wild Ones of Greater Kane County.

 

Kim first came to Fine Line to take weaving classes and help out with various volunteer jobs. When the Prairie Committee was begun under the leadership of Don Ljung shortly after Carol Kazwick deeded the prairie area to Fine Line, she found the Prairie Committee was the perfect blending of her love of the arts and the natural world. When Kathy Manna decided to retire after twenty-five years working with the campus grounds, Kim accepted the volunteer position of grounds coordinator. About this time Fine Line decided to develop a more sustainable grounds management system which laid the groundwork for the campus renovations that are currently in progress.

When asked about plans for the development of the grounds and prairie at Fine Line, Kim said her goals are to coordinate all campus efforts, to make sure these efforts can be managed through consistent environmentally sound practices, and are that initiatives are economically feasible over the long run. She shared her vision for the grounds and Prairie going forward:

  • Promote how VOLUNTEERS can help
  • Prairie and Grounds “Work Days” to carry out ongoing maintenance
  • Seasonal Seed Collection and Distribution
  • ADOPT A PLOT – once a month upkeep of select areas on campus
  • COLLABORATE and build PARTNERSHIPS
  • Utilize area resources like the Boy Scouts who recently worked on the Prairie Path and woodland area
  • Develop partnerships with Kane County naturalist organizations
  • Utilize appropriate SERVICES and BUSINESSES
  • Hire specialists who can do the “heavy lifting” required for landscaping and jobs like managing invasive plants
  • Consult with experts on land development for long range planning
  • Develop EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS and CONNECTIONS to Fine Line events
  • Introduce educational programs that are open to Fine Line members and the public pertaining to the grounds and prairie
  • Connect campus grounds and prairie initiatives to existing Fine Line events like the Fine Line Arts Festival
  • Encourage FINANCIAL SUPPORT of grounds and prairie initiatives

Anyone who would like to help with grounds and/or prairie initiatives should contact

Kim at:  kim@fineline.org.