Who We Are
Shawn grew up in rural Minnesota and has enjoyed the outdoors since his childhood. His first experience with “prescribed fires” was on his grandfather’s farm where they’d periodically burn the drainage ditches and creeks that ran through the property. After a 27-year career in the Army, Shawn and his family returned to Minnesota and settled northeast of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area in Chisago City. Shawn got his start with The Prairie Enthusiasts in February 2025 when he and numerous other individuals responded to an inquiry from the Chisago County Soil and Water Conservation District asking if anyone was interested in forming a chapter. Shawn is excited to learn more about our fire-dependent ecosystems and working with landowners and other organizations to better preserve and restore our natural landscapes.