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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
Katherine Jaeger
Project Administrator
Katherine operates as the Project Administratior and supports Golden Sands RC&D by managing grants, contracts, and budgets while also helping to secure funding through grant writing and fundraising. Working closely with the management team and Council, Katherine plays a key role in advancing the organization’s objectives and public outreach.
(715) 343-6215 Ext. 703
Amanda Gurklis
Environmental Educator
Outreach Coordinator
Team Resource Coordinator
Amanda coordinates environmental education activities for area schools through various county and grant-funded projects. Amanda is also the Team Resource Coordinator assisting the team with various administrative tasks that need to be completed.
(715) 343-6215 Ext. 710
Sandy Sackmann
Administrative Assistant
Sandy provides essential support to the administrative and project teams by performing a variety of business and clerical tasks. Responsibilities include managing daily office communications, supporting Council meetings and events, and maintaining digital content such as website updates and social media posts. Sandy also helps coordinate internal and external customer service and ensures smooth office operations.
(715) 343-6215 - Ext. 711
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!
If you need MORT SUPPORT feel free to email him!
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. She provides conservation technical assistance to agricultural producers and landowners across the state of Wisconsin.
(608) 982-1358
Brady Albers
Soil Conservationist
Brady 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. Brady is based out of the Green Lake 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.
(920) 294-6474 Ext. 3
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.
(608) 297-0989
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.
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
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) 379-4759
Micayla Sawicki
Administrative Coordinator
Micayla helps with bridging administrative and project work. She assists in payroll and budgeting, as well as helping ensure compliance with financial reporting, policies and grants. She supports the project staff by preparing maps and reports, and participates in field work including aquatic & terrestrial invasive species surveys and invasive brush removal projects.
(715) 343-6215 - Ext. 706
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
Annika Waltenberg
Community Agriculture Coordinator
Annika focuses on urban and community agriculture. Her role supports all aspects of local food production from planting to harvesting to data collection. This involves collaboration with local non-profits and community members. Additional responsibilities include community outreach, volunteer engagement, assisting with garden maintenance, and small building projects.
(715) 343-6215 Ext. 708
Chris Hamerla
Aquatic Services
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
Nichole Kirk
Urban Conservationist 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. She works with a variety of producers to educate the public on conservation practices and funding opportunities for urban producers.
(608) 851-0928
Ethan Laufenberg
Media Production Intern
Ethan supports our outreach efforts by producing podcasts and other media focused on soil and water conservation and sustainable agriculture. He works with local farmers, nonprofits, and community partners to record, edit, and publish content, assist with podcast planning, and support community engagement initiatives.
Brooke Cherek
Watercraft Inspector &
AIS Tech
Brooke inspects watercraft entering and leaving Lake Helen. She educates boaters on aquatic invasive species prevention, and provides outreach materials to support lake conservation efforts.
She also supports our healthy waters initiatives in Central Wisconsin by monitoring aquatic invasive species, educating the public on prevention and removal methods, and assisting with outreach and conservation efforts.
Ivan Neisius
Clark Co Forestry Steward Intern
Ivan works with the Clark County Forestry & Parks Department to collect and analyze forest reconnaissance and inventory data including: forest cover type, tree
species, tree diameters, tree heights, stand age, basal area, soil type, timber volumes, habitat
type, site index, tree growing stock status, and deer browse damage.