Jay Rutherford

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.

Deanna Pomije

Many Rivers Chapter Representative

Contact at: Info@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org

Deanna has worked in soil conservation in Minnesota & Wisconsin for over 15 years. She feels a deep connection to prairies and promotes their preservation and enhancement. She enjoys connecting with other prairie-minded people.

Evanne Hunt

St. Croix Valley Chapter Representative

Contact at: Info@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org

Evanne retired from a career in technical communications, concentrating on technical writing for computer software applications. She’s contributed to the success of The Prairie Enthusiasts by serving as Board President for five years. Her organizational skills and passion for prairies have been helpful for several annual conferences, chapter events, prescribed burns, and a multitude of other impactful actions. “Prairies and oak savannas are our rainforests, our redwoods, our coral reefs. But, their familiarity to us means we don’t “see” them. They are just as worthy of our concern and protection.”

Rich Henderson

Empire-Sauk Chapter Representative

Contact at: Info@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org

Rich was an ecologist with the Wisconsin DNR. He has 33 years of experience in natural area inventory, assessment, and management of prairie, sedge meadow, oak savanna, and oak woodland ecosystems. Rich served four years as past president of The Prairie Enthusiasts and was an originator of the Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area, which includes more than 50,000 acres of grasslands in Dane and Iowa counties in southwest Wisconsin. He’s lent his skills to serve as the leader and motivator of several land protection projects including Schluckebier and Black Earth Rettenmund.

Katie Hahn

Chippewa Savannas Chapter Representative

Contact at: Info@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org

Katie brings a range of knowledge from her professional career, which has focused on land protection and restoration in both the public and private sectors. As an advocate for fire-dependent ecosystems, she is excited to support The Prairie Enthusiasts’ initiatives through its mission and programming.