Michael Kost

Michael Kost is an experienced conservation professional currently serving as Associate Curator at the University of Michigan's Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum since May 2014, where responsibilities include curating native plant collections and prioritizing land stewardship to conserve biodiversity. Prior to this role, Michael worked as Senior Conservation Scientist and Lead Ecologist at Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Michigan State University Extension, and The Nature Conservancy from June 1998 to October 2012, managing collaborative grant projects and leading the Ecology Program. Additionally, Michael has academic experience as Adjunct Faculty at Lansing Community College, teaching courses in Natural Resource Conservation and Environmental Science, and previous experience as Manager of Natural History Education at The Morton Arboretum. Michael holds a Master of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Bachelor of Science in Public and Environmental Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.