Who We Are
Who We Are
The Prairie Enthusiasts is made up of 13 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 13 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 at Info@ThePrairieEnthusiasts.org.
Board of Directors
Jim Rogala
President
Alice Mirk
Vice President
Jay Rutherford
Treasurer
Katie Hahn
Secretary
Katie Hahn
Chippewa Savannas Chapter Representative
Jon Rigden
Coulee Region Chapter Representative
Rich Henderson
Empire-Sauk Chapter Representative
Nancy Gloe
Glacial Prairie Chapter Representative
Addeline Theis Paradis
Many Rivers Chapter Representative
Peter Hartman
Minnesota Driftless Chapter Representative
Greg Heberlein
Minnesota Oak Savanna Chapter Representative
Jay Rutherford
Northwest Illinois Chapter Representative
Jerry Newman
Prairie Bluff Chapter Representative
Cheri Salzberg
Prairie Sands Chapter Representative
Kay Wienke
Southwest Wisconsin Chapter Representative
Peter Fritz
St. Croix Valley Chapter Representative
Shawn Kadlec
Sunrise Chapter Representative
Gary Eldred
Board Member Emeritus
Staff
Jessica Bizub
Executive Director
Sarah Barron
Advancement Manager
Reid Bartholomew
Advancement Coordinator
Becky Bradish
Operations Assistant
Dan Carter
Ecologist
Cassidy Coulson
Advancement Assistant
Sylvie Rising
Operations Associate
Mark van der Linden
Land Protection and Stewardship Manager
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, Coulee Region Chapter
Alice Mirk, Vice President, Glacial Prairie Chapter
Jay Rutherford, Treasurer, Northwest Illinois Chapter
Katie Hahn, Secretary, Chippewa Savannas Chapter
This committee discusses education programs and evaluates potential future programs and materials.
Chair–OPEN POSITION
Molly Fifield Murray, Empire-Sauk Chapter
Jim Rogala, Coulee Region Chapter
Pat Trochlell, Empire-Sauk Chapter
Dan Winkler, Coulee Region Chapter
Sarah Barron, Chapter Support Staff
This group handles topics like CRP plans, fire plans, management plans, and site monitoring.
Rich Henderson, Committee Chair, Empire-Sauk Chapter
Alex Bouthilet, St. Croix Valley Chapter
Nick Faessler, Prairie Bluff Chapter
Jake Pulfer, Empire-Sauk Chapter
Jim Rogala, Coulee Region Chapter
Michaela Rosenthal, Glacial Prairie Chapter
Dan Carter, 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, Empire-Sauk Chapter
Scott Fulton, Empire-Sauk Chapter
Harvey Halvorsen, St. Croix Valley Chapter
Rich Henderson, Empire-Sauk Chapter
Jim Rogala, Coulee Region Chapter
Topf Wells, Empire-Sauk Chapter
Jessica Bizub, 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.
Jay Rutherford, Committee Chair, Northwest Illinois Chapter
Paul Anderson, Empire-Sauk Chapter
Peter Fritz, St. Croix Valley Chapter
Scott Fulton, Empire-Sauk Chapter
Jim Rogala, Coulee Region Chapter
Jon Rigden, Coulee Region Chapter
Jessica Bizub, Chapter Support Staff
Rich Henderson, Committee Chair, Empire-Sauk Chapter
Richard Oberle, Empire-Sauk Chapter
Frederick Rikkers