John Bates is the author of ten books and a contributor to seven others, all of which focus on the natural history of the Northwoods. He’s worked as a naturalist in Wisconsin’s Northwoods for 32 years, leading an array of trips and giving talks all designed to help people further understand the remarkable diversity and …

John retired from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources after a 34-year career in wildlife management and research, where he authored or co-authored more than 40 technical and popular publications on white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, and wild turkeys. Tom holds a B.S. degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Michigan., and has received the Award …

Jeff joined the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) in 1989 as the environmental toxicologist for the Air Program and remained in this position until his retirement in 2022.  He worked on air toxics rules and served as the liaison with the State Department of Health. Jeff worked on many state and national workgroups and …

Michael Williamson worked in the public sector for 41 years. During that time, he served as Deputy Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Executive Director of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, and Assistant to Chancellor Donna Shalala at the UW-Madison, among other positions. He is a lifelong fisherman and …

Curt Meine is a conservation biologist, environmental historian, and writer based in Sauk County, Wisconsin. He serves as Senior Fellow with the Aldo Leopold Foundation and Center for Humans and Nature; as Research Associate with the International Crane Foundation; and as Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Over the last three decades he …

Tom retired from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources after 37 years of service in the Wildlife Management Program, the last 24 as the program director. Tom co-chairs WGF’s wildlife workgroup. In retirement, Tom continues his conservation work through volunteering with the Sauk County Conservation Alliance, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of …

Ron Eckstein served as WGF’s board secretary from its inception through 2020. He co-chairs the Public Lands and Forestry Work Group. Ron earned his B.S. and M.S. in Wildlife Ecology at UW-Madison. and is retired from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) after 36 years as Wildlife Biologist at Rhinelander. He worked on wildlife …

Kate’s work as an environmental educator, which started in high school, has focused on increasing natural resources literacy and stewardship. She has developed programs, training events, and curricula for a variety of NGO’s, and federal and state agencies, applying tested environmental education and social science research to community-based conservation needs. As an Environmental Education Specialist …

Ronald (R.T.) Krueger has served as President of Northern Lake Service, Inc (NLS) since 2000.  Prior to that, he served as laboratory technician, field hand, groundwater monitoring crew chief, resident limnologist, and laboratory manager.  NLS has was started by R.T.’s father in 1974 and has grown into one of the most highly accredited environmental compliance …

Nancy retired after 33 years of service with Cooperative Extension Systems as a county Extension agent, campus specialist, and administrator over the years in Wisconsin, New York, New Hampshire, Virginia, and Iowa. She currently consults on organizational development with nonprofit organizations and higher education. She serves as vice chair of the Story County Conservation Board …