Who We Are
Who We Are
The Prairie Enthusiasts is made up of 12 regional chapters. Our engaged volunteers are driving local land stewardship, grassroots outreach and education, and leading the organization. We’re grateful for our dedicated community and welcoming of new, interested volunteers.
Prairie Enthusiasts explore Kasota Prairie SNA by Sarah Barron.
The Prairie Enthusiasts is made up of 11 regional chapters. Our engaged volunteers are driving local land stewardship, grassroots outreach and education, and leading the organization. We’re grateful for our dedicated community and welcoming of new, interested volunteers.
Prairie Enthusiasts Explore Kasota Prairie NA by Sarah Barron.
Message us to learn more about our committees or offer your time and talents as a committee member. You can also direct questions or committee suggestions by emailing us.
Board of Directors
Jim Rogala
President
Alice Mirk
Vice President
Jerry Newman
Treasurer
Harvey Halvorsen
Secretary
Matt Dettlaff
Prairie Sands Chapter Representative
Gary Eldred
Board Member Emeritus
Peter Fritz
St. Croix Valley Chapter Representative
Nancy Gloe
Glacial Prairie Chapter Representative
Katie Hahn
Chippewa Savannas Chapter Representative
Greg Heberlein
Minnesota Oak Savanna Chapter Representative
Rich Henderson
Empire-Sauk Chapter Representative
Jerry Newman
Prairie Bluff Chapter Representative
Addeline Theis Paradis
Many Rivers Chapter Representative
Jon Rigden
Coulee Region Chapter Representative
Jay Rutherford
Northwest Illinois Chapter Representative
Kay Wienke
Southwest Wisconsin Chapter Representative
Stephen Winter
Minnesota Driftless Chapter Representative
Staff
Debra Behrens
Executive Director
Sarah Barron
Advancement Manager
Jessica Bizub
Operations Director
Becky Bradish
Operations Manager
Rob Schubert
Program Manager
Reid Bartholomew
Advancement Coordinator
Kelly Billig
Leadership Coordinator
Dan Carter
Ecologist
Cassidy Coulson
Advancement Assistant
Kysh Lindell
AmeriCorps Member
Sylvie Rising
Operations Assistant
Committees
- Executive Committee
- Education Committee
- Land Management Committee
- Land Protection Committee
- Finance Committee
- Prairie Enthusiasts Trust
This committee addresses questions that affect The Prairie Enthusiasts as a whole. They provide guidance related to messaging, activism and more.
Jim Rogala, Board President
Alice Mirk, Vice President
Jerry Newman, Treasurer
Harvey Halvorsen, Secretary
This committee discusses education programs and evaluates potential future programs and materials.
Jessica Bizub, Committee Chair
Alice Mirk
Dan Winkler
Jim Rogala
Molly Fifield Murray
Pat Trochlell
Scott Fulton
Sarah Barron, Chapter Support Staff
This group handles topics like CRP plans, fire plans, management plans, and site monitoring.
Rich Henderson, Committee Chair
Alex Bouthilet
Dan Carter
Jim Rogala
Nick Faessler
Jake Pulfer
Michaela Rosenthal
Becky Bradish, Chapter Support Staff
This committee handles topics like grants specific to properties, logistics of buying/accepting properties and easements, and property monitoring.
Mark Martin, Committee Chair
Debra Behrens
Harvey Halvorsen
Jim Rogala
Rich Henderson
Scott Fulton
Topf Wells
Becky Bradish, Chapter Support Staff
This committee’s objective is to oversee The Prairie Enthusiasts’ handling of finances, both accounting and investment, and provide recommendations to the board.
Jerry Newman, Committee Chair
Debra Behrens
Peter Fritz
Jay Rutherford
Jim Rogala
Jon Rigden
Becky Bradish, Chapter Support Staff
Rich Henderson, Committee Chair
Debra Behrens
Frederick Rikkers
Richard Oberle