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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!
(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.
(715) 346-1264 Ext. 702
Denise Hilgart
Administrative 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.
(715) 343-6217 Ext. 703
Jenna Tuma
Administrative Coordinator
Jenna has the responsibility of assisting the administrative team with business functions, assisting field teams with business documentation, and assisting customers. She ensures that all administrative tasks are completed in a timely manner and that all project financial activity is properly documented.
(715) 343-6215 - Ext. 712
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.
(715) 343-6215 Ext. 710
Mort
Office Support
Mort is a native gray tree frog that was given a home within the office after being found inside an employee's house. Mort lives comfortably in his natural terrarium that features live plants and high humidity. He cheers on our other office staff while they complete their project work!
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.
Kristin McAdow
Managed Grazing Specialist
Kristin 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.
(715) 343-6215 - Ext. 715
Asher Maliepaard
Regenerative Agriculture Specialist
Asher is responsible for developing and implementing agricultural initiatives that align with partner goals to be environmentally friendly, including climate-smart agriculture and reducing runoff from agricultural lands within the Great Lakes Basin by promoting sustainable agriculture methods, such as managed grazing. Asher develops and facilitates outreach and education efforts in the region to increase soil quality and productivity for producers.
(715) 343-6215 - Ext. 705
Shala Pence
Resource Conservationist
Shala 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. Shala is based out of the NRCS State Office in Madison. Shala provides conservation technical assistance to agricultural producers and landowners across the state of Wisconsin.
(608) 982-1358
Jacob Abrahamson
Community Gardens Field Manager
Jacob works as our Community Gardens Field Manager, overseeing the planning, development, and maintenance of our two community garden spaces. This season he helped install six new garden plots at our Mead Community Garden location. He engages with local residents, manages volunteers, organizes educational programs, and ensures the gardens operate sustainably and inclusively.
(715) 343-6215 Ext. 711
Robert Bauer
Grazing Specialist/
Resource 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 Vernon and Monroe Counties and Southwest Wisconsin.
(608) 637-2183 Ext. 218
Claire Harwood
Terrestrial Invasive Species Coordinator
Claire 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 Northeast Wisconsin Invasives Partnership (NEWIP), which assists both public and private entities in invasive species management efforts.
(715) 343-6215 - Ext. 707
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.
(715) 343-6215 Ext. 713
Bo Hendrickson
Habitat Restoration Technician
Bo works in a joint capacity with Golden Sands RC&D and the US Fish & Wildlife Service to focus on restoring and enhancing habitat for the Monarch Butterfly, Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Karner Blue Butterfly, and Poweshiek Skipperling. Through collaboration of respectable and proven conservation organizations, Bo's focus is on the restoration and enhancement of both private and public lands.
(715) 343-6215 - Ext. 706
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.
(715) 343-6215 Ext. 704
Mara Lince
Regional Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator
Mara 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.
(715) 343-6215 - Ext. 714
Sebastian Rueth
Forestry Steward Intern
Sebastian works with the Taylor County Forestry & Recreation Department as a seasonal Forestry Steward Intern to collect forest data, implement forestry practices, and manage invasive species. Sebastian will also conduct plot measurements of tree saplings and seedlings, perform data entry, plan plot visits, and install and maintain deer enclosure units.
Joseph Adams
Forestry Steward Intern
Joseph works with the Clark County Forestry & Recreation Department as a seasonal Forestry Steward Intern to collect forest data, implement forestry practices, and manage invasive species. Sebastian will also conduct plot measurements of tree saplings and seedlings, perform data entry, plan plot visits, and install and maintain deer enclosure units.
Marty Sytsma
Central WI Windshed Partnership (CWWP) Field Supervisor
Marty is the Field Supervisor of our field crew that works in collaboration with the Central WI Windshed Partnership (CWWP). The crew uses conservation and preservation methods to control wind erosion on cropland, and to protect farmsteads, residential areas, roads, and highways in Central Wisconsin through the establishment of windbreaks, shelterbelts, and living snow fences.
Caden McClure
Central WI Windshed Partnership (CWWP) Tech
Caden is part of our field crew that works in collaboration with the Central WI Windshed Partnership (CWWP). The crew uses conservation and preservation methods to control wind erosion on cropland, and to protect farmsteads, residential areas, roads, and highways in Central Wisconsin through the establishment of windbreaks, shelterbelts, and living snow fences.