Kay Wienke

Southwest Wisconsin Chapter Representative

Contact at: Info@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org

Kay served many years as an Orthopaedic Nurse Specialist and small business owner. She was an educator, administrator and clinical role model. Through her profession she came to realize the importance of policy and procedure to bring clarity & purpose to any organization.  Her 9 years as volunteer member of the Board of the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses culminated in service as President. During her Presidential year, Kay focused the Board on mentoring young members and mentoring them for future Board service. Organizations are only as strong as the interest of future generations. After retiring, Kay & her partner moved from the Milwaukee area to the Driftless for peace, quiet and nature. They have become involved with TPE and are working on establishing several acres of prairie on their properties in Vernon County. Kay works with the Southwest Chapter because their prairie holdings are closest to her home.

Jay Rutherford

Treasurer and Northwest Illinois Chapter Representative

Contact at: Info@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org

Jay’s retirement has been busy restoring prairie habitat around his home and volunteering in faith-based and environmental organizations. Jay served as an Army officer, followed by a career as a corporate finance executive. He lived abroad and continues to travel extensively but feels most at home in the Midwest. Beyond lending his time and talents to the Northwest Illinois Chapter, he also volunteers for Bread of Life Food Pantry, Apple River United Methodist Church, and Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation.

Jon Rigden

Coulee Region Chapter Representative

Contact at: Info@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org

After retiring as a family physician, Jon became deeply involved with several environmental groups. He served as a board member for Mississippi Valley Conservancy and is currently a board member of Friends of the Blufflands. He has been an active member of The Prairie Enthusiasts for several years, leading hikes, and is building partnerships amongst local environmental organizations.

Addeline Theis Paradis

Many Rivers Chapter Representative

Contact at: Info@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org

Addie, @mnprairiegal (she/her) is a native-Minnesota botanist that is employed at Bolton & Menk, Inc. as a Natural Resource Specialist. Her job focuses on rare plant surveys, federally listed species habitat assessments, wetland delineation and monitoring of restoration sites. Her areas of expertise include tallgrass prairie ecology, native Minnesota biomes, botany, and plant identification. She studied botany at MNSU-Mankato, where she published a local prairie field guide. After graduating in 2017, she started a master’s program to investigate biology education and prairie conservation. Her thesis work created a new survey tool that asked individuals their attitudes, values, and knowledge of tallgrass prairies. After graduating, she worked at a variety of outreach opportunities like Riverbend Nature Center and Forestville Mystery Cave SP. She continues educating online through social media. Addie is active in her community by being a board member for both the Friends of Minneopa State Park group and the Mankato Zero Waste Group. She lives in Mankato with her husband and three cats on a 1-acre lot in town that she is slowly planting with native species. Her favorite part of her yard is her native cactus rock garden. Addie has been a member of the prairie enthusiasts for over six years and is excited to begin work as chapter representative for Many Rivers.

Peter Fritz

St. Croix Valley Chapter Representative

Contact at: Info@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org

Peter recently retired as a scientist and engineer who served over 38 years at 3M Company. He holds multiple patents and has over 30 years of project management experience in a wide variety of products and divisions. His goal for this third chapter of life is to spend as much time with family and nature as possible. His insatiable curiosity and affinity for all things nature began in Northern Minnesota. His respect and care for nature emerged from the crucible of the environmental and ecological movements that started in the early 1970’s. He strongly believes in leaving a space in better condition than he found it; this belief led him to restore prairie, which ultimately led him to The Prairie Enthusiasts! As he begins reclaiming the three-acres that he acquired shortly before retiring, he’s excited to expand his knowledge and provide assistance to the long-term preservation and maintenance of prairie environments. He’s very happy to be a part of The Prairie Enthusiasts.