Rob Schubert

Program Manager

Contact at: RSchubert@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org

Rob first joined The Prairie Enthusiasts in 2023 as the Natural Areas Management Specialist for the Empire-Sauk Chapter prior to beginning his current role in early 2025. He has a strong interest in fire ecology and fire-dependent ecosystems. Rob brings diverse experience working for a number of conservation-focused groups in natural communities ranging from the twig-rush prairies of Ohio to the short grass of North Dakota and plenty of Wisconsin acres in between. His work has spanned prescribed fire and other land management, landowner engagement, environmental education, training, and propagating native plants. Rob has a strong passion for nature and the outdoors and enjoys spending time exploring, camping, canoeing, and making maple syrup.

Dan Carter

Ecologist

Contact at: DCarter@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org

Dan joined The Prairie Enthusiasts’ Chapter Support staff in 2020. He has experience in fire-dependent community assessment, restoration, reconstruction, management, and protection as an educator, researcher, planner, consultant, and volunteer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Grinnell College and Ph.D. in biology from Kansas State. Dan is available to make visits to properties to discuss and assess potential or ongoing efforts related to fire-dependent communities. He lives between Madison and Milwaukee, but his personal project is a pine barrens restoration on property in Bayfield County. Dan also volunteers with the Glacial Prairie Chapter. Feel free to contact him with property visit requests or other technical questions.

Kelly Billig

Leadership Coordinator

Contact at: KBillig@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org

Kelly has over 20 years of nonprofit experience in fundraising, operational management, and event coordination. She’s excited to help The Prairie Enthusiasts preserve and restore the biodiversity of the Upper Midwest. She resides in West St. Paul, MN with her husband and two sons where they enjoy hiking and playing board games. She also spends her free time snuggling her very active beagle-mix dog.

Becky Bradish

Operations Manager

Contact at: BBradish@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org

Becky has worked at a variety of non-profit organizations, mostly focused on providing services to people experiencing homelessness and/or mental illness, but has always loved any time she could spend outdoors. After attending law school in Minnesota and working at the Public Defender’s Office she and her husband jumped at the opportunity to move to the Driftless and take care of a family property. When she is not at the Prairie Enthusiasts office she can normally be found with her husband and dog on some corner of their property reading a book or weeding.

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.