Meet KINLM

Keeping It Native Land Management (KINLM) was founded in 2021 in Ohio. Eric R. Hayes, Jr. and Eric D. Metcalf have built the company from the ground up, leaning on a lifetime of spending time outdoors. Today, they can still be found in the field, working to revitalize and restore the natural environment.

We are proud of our ability to communicate, educate, and ensure that our work is for the greater good. We carefully consider all the land owner objectives and work to balance them with the natural succession. We work daily knowing that the land management we did today could still be impacting the ecosystem in a positive way 50, 100, or 200+ years from now.

Photo of KINLM technicians in their work uniforms.
Photo of KINLM founders Eric and Eric standing next to a truck.

We consider every project to be an opportunity to improve the ecosystem, whether your property is 1/4 acre in the city, or thousands of acres in the deepest of the outdoors. Meet our founders below!

  • Photo of KINLM founder Eric Hayes preparing soil test.

    Eric Hayes

    OWNER & OPERATOR

    Eric (or JR) is endearingly known as the “Nature Nerd” at KINLM. He is passionate about all things native and is the expert in identifying local flora and fauna and invasive species. JR is has served as a subject matter expert for the US Forest Service, Vinton Furnace Experimental Forest, Athens County Soil and Water Conservation District, and The Ohio State University. He is also involved in several organizations such as the National Wild Turkey Federation and Camp Canopy. He studied Forestry Management and Wildlife Management at Hocking College.

  • Photo of KINLM founder Eric Metcalf examining a plant.

    Eric D. Metcalf

    OWNER & OPERATOR

    Eric has maintained a lifelong passion for the outdoors since first swinging on grapevines as a young child and catching critters in the local creek. After a career in the military, the outdoors provides him solace in a hectic world. Eric has a Bachelors of Science in Marine Sciences from the University of South Carolina, Masters of Environment & Natural Resources and Public Administration & Policy. He has over 10 years experience with Wildlife and Forestry management. He is involved with OSU’s Day in the Woods program, Buckeye Hero Hunt for Veterans and the Navy Reserves.