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STAFF DIRECTORY
Meet The Team
Jennifer Glad
Executive Director
Jennifer oversees the day-to-day activities of the Organization while securing funding in order to execute the Council's directives and support future efforts of the Organization to further our mission. Jennifer supports our team by helping develop new projects and new partnerships. She​ works on team recruitment, training, grant writing/administration, coordinating outreach, and more!
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(715) 343-6215 Ext. 701
Amy Thorstenson
Advising Director
Amy assists the Executive Director in managing the operational functions of the business. Amy takes on administrative, HR, PR, or project oversight duties and activities as needed to execute the Council’s directives and achieve the mission of the organization. Amy also works with native milfoil weevils, a biological control agent for invasive Eurasian watermilfoil.
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(715) 346-1264 Ext. 702
Denise Hilgart
Administration Manager
Finance Director
Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator
Denise researches, tracks, and implements Administrative Business Functions and Financial Business practices to include implementation and training of administrative staff and Council Members. Denise supports Grazing staff and projects by sharing current Sustainable Agriculture opportunities and practices.
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(715) 343-6217 Ext. 703
Chris Hamerla
Regional Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator
Chris provides education through informational booths and presentation at various events and with groups, such as Lake Associations. The aquatic invasive species (AIS) Coordinator trains others on identification and monitoring strategies of AIS as well as leading monitoring and verification efforts. Our AIS Coordinators also complete professional services, such as aquatic plant inventory surveys, and more. Contact us for more information.
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(715) 343-6215 Ext. 704
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Amanda Gurklis
Environmental Educator and Outreach Coordinator
Administrative Assistant
Amanda coordinates environmental education activities for area schools through various county and grant-funded projects. Amanda is also an Administrative Assistant and assists the Administrative Manager and Executive Director with various administrative tasks that need to be completed.
Don't know who to contact? Contact one of our Administrative Assistants.
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(715) 343-6215 Ext. 710
Kevin Munkwitz
Administrative Assistant
Kevin assists the Administrative Manager and Executive Director with day-to-day administrative tasks that need to be completed. Kevin also assists with the Stevens Point Area Neighborhood Gardens, Tree Shelter Sales, and other projects throughout the year.
Don’t know who to contact or where to start? Contact one of our Administrative Assistants and they will help lead you in the right direction.
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(715) 343-6215 Ext. 712
Robert Bauer
Grazing Specialist
Soil Conservationist
Robert works in a joint capacity with Golden Sands RC&D and Wisconsin NRCS to promote, accelerate enrollment, and coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Farm Bill. Robert is based out of the Viroqua NRCS Service Center and provides conservation technical assistance to agricultural producers located in Crawford County and Southwest Wisconsin.
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(608) 637-2183 Ext. 218
Brooke Patrick
Grazing Specialist, TSP
Brooke provides technical assistance, follow-ups on existing managed grazing plans, develops educational events, and writes new managed grazing plans for producers. Providing these services gives this position a chance to interact with new and experienced grazing farmers to continue promoting the practice of sustainable grazing and continue conversations as grazing practices evolve.
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Jacob Fluur
Terrestrial Invasive Species Coordinator
Jacob assists with terrestrial invasive species mapping and control efforts across the landscape and educates citizens on identification as well as best management practices for removing invasive species from their lands. The Terrestrial Invasive Species Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the Central Wisconsin Invasives Partnership (CWIP), which assists both public and private entities in invasive species management efforts.
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(715) 343-6215 Ext. 713
Andrew Senderhauf
Regional Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator
Andrew provides education through informational booths and presentation at various events and with groups, such as Lake Associations. The aquatic invasive species (AIS) Coordinator trains others on identification and monitoring strategies of AIS as well as leading monitoring and verification efforts. Our AIS Coordinators also complete professional services, such as aquatic plant inventory surveys, and more. Contact us for more information.
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(715) 343-6215 Ext. 708
Adam Skadsen
Soil Conservation Technician
Adam works in joint capacity with Golden Sands RC&D and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) to promote, accelerate enrollment, and coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Farm Bill. Adam is based out of the Stevens Point NRCS Service Center and gathers data and provides technical support to the producers by utilizing applicable survey tools, planning software and assisting with data collection.
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(715) 346-1313 Ext. 3815
Nicole Rayome
Grazing Specialist
Nicole works in joint capacity with Golden Sands RC&D and NRCS to promote, accelerate enrollment, and coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Farm Bill. Nicole is based out of the Portage, Wisconsin NRCS Service Center and provides technical assistance, follow-ups on existing managed grazing plans, develops educational events, and writes new managed grazing plans for producers.
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(608) 745-7364
Rick Nitz
Urban Conservation Specialist
Rick works in joint capacity with Golden Sands RC&D and NRCS to promote, accelerate enrollment, and coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Farm Bill. Rick is based out of the Union Grove NRCS Service Center and promotes urban conservation through agricultural based practices and works with a wide variety of producers to educate the public on conservation practices and funding opportunities for urban producers.
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(414) 850-1479
Maria Lefevre-Knusta
Urban Conservation Specialist
Maria works in joint capacity with Golden Sands RC&D and NRCS to promote, accelerate enrollment, and coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Farm Bill. Maria is based out of our main office in Stevens Point. Maria promotes urban conservation through agricultural based practices and works with a variety of producers to educate the public on conservation practices and funding opportunities for urban producers.
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(715) 540-6362
Nichole Kirk
Urban Conservation Specialist
Nichole works in joint capacity with Golden Sands RC&D and NRCS to promote, accelerate enrollment, and coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Farm Bill. Nichole is based out of the Madison NRCS State Office and promotes urban conservation through agricultural based practices and works with a wide variety of producers to educate the public on conservation practices and funding opportunities for urban producers.
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(608) 851-0928
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Ben Babcock
Regenerative Agriculture Specialist
Ben works in joint capacity with Golden Sands RC&D and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) to promote, accelerate enrollment, and coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Farm Bill. Ben is based out of the Westfield NRCS Service Center and gathers data and provides technical support to the producers by utilizing applicable survey tools, planning software and assisting with data collection.
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Email​
(608) 297-0989
Morgan Jansen
GIS Specialist
Morgan works in joint capacity with Golden Sands RC&D and NRCS to promote, accelerate enrollment, and coordinate and implement the easement provisions of the Farm Bill. Morgan is based out of the Madison NRCS State Office main office. Morgan provides conservation technical assistance to agricultural producers and landowners across the state of Wisconsin.
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(608) 893-3356
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Erin Richards
Community Gardens Field Manger
Erin works in a joint capacity with Golden Sands RC&D; The Giving Gardens, a project of the Hunger and Poverty Prevention Partnership of Portage County; and Central Rivers Farmshed's Growing Collective to improve and expand the community garden projects of all three partners on multiple project sites around Portage County including Golden Sands RC&D's two neighborhood gardens in the City of Stevens Point.
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(715) 343-6215 - Ext. 711
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