Reid Bartholomew

Advancement Coordinator

Contact at: RBartholomew@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org

Growing up in the hills and hollers of Arkansas instilled Reid with a love for the outdoors early on, one which eventually matured into a deep passion for native ecology in his adulthood. Reid joined The Prairie Enthusiasts in 2025 to put his professional background in marketing and publicity in service of the protection and restoration of the prairies that have so captured his imagination since moving to Southern Wisconsin. An avid outdoorsman, he spends much of his time out on the land backpacking or fishing, but he always makes time for a good book and writing fiction.

Cassidy Coulson

Advancement Assistant

Contact at: CCoulson@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org

A lover of beauty and the Driftless area, Cassidy joined The Prairie Enthusiasts in 2024. Her professional background is in English education and child development, and most recently gained hands-on experience in coffee production. She was drawn to The Prairie Enthusiasts for their reverence of natural ecosystems and wanted to be a part of the tangible work they do. When she’s not a busy bee at work, she can most likely be found at the dog park soaking up some pupply love. 

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.

Becky Bradish

Operations Assistant

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.

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.