WWA staff

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Wisconsin Wetlands Association Staff

Becky Abel became Executive Director of the Wisconsin Wetlands Association in August, 2003. Becky came to WWA from The Nature Conservancy where she worked from 1996 to 2003. At TNC she worked as Conservation Planner for the International Migratory Bird Program and prior to that worked on local and regional conservation efforts with the Wisconsin chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Her broad career experience also includes work with Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources, National Audubon Society, and various international projects. Much of Becky’s work experience has involved coordinating federal, state, and local landowner partnerships to work toward common conservation goals. She has conducted field work and plant and animal survey work in wetlands and prairies throughout Wisconsin. With Bachelor's and Master's of Science degrees in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison (her graduate work involved developing a successful technique for reintroducing Trumpeter Swans to Wisconsin), Becky has strong roots in Wisconsin's conservation community. Email Becky at becky.abel [at] wisconsinwetlands.org

Karen Bassler joined Wisconsin Wetlands Association as the Wetland Threats Assessment Coordinator in April, 2008. She had been Gathering Waters Conservancy's Conservation Programs Director since October, 2001, working with Wisconsin's land trusts to help them build their organizational capacity and implement high quality, effective conservation programs. Previously, she was the Conservation Coordinator for the Wisconsin Chapter of the Nature Conservancy for nearly 5 years, working in conservation planning, land transaction facilitation and database management. Karen graduated from Beloit College with a BA in Archeology and the UW-Madison with an MA in Biological Anthropology. The focus of her work has been on compiling the best available information to foster strategic, collaborative conservation action by diverse partnerships. Recently, Karen successfully completed the WI-DNR’s Hunter Safety Education class and is looking forward to her first deer hunting season. Email Karen at karen.bassler [at] wisconsinwetlands.org

Rachael Carlson joined WWA’s staff as our Office Manager in September 2006. Her duties include providing administrative and clerical support. Rachael comes to us with a communications background, and she is currently working on a documentary chronicling the efforts of local artists who are creating an exhibition to highlight the effects of global climate change on the Lake Superior region. Rachael has previously worked for the communications firm, Savvy Works Ltd. to create educational programs for the demolition industry aimed at keeping radioactive materials out of the waste stream. In her free time Rachael likes to ski and hike. Email Rachael at rachael.carlson [at] wisconsinwetlands.org

Laura England joined WWA's staff as Outreach Programs Director in April, 2004. Laura's work involves developing and coordinating programs that facilitate exchange of wetland science and management information among the wetland professional community as well as programs that educate Wisconsinites about wetland functional values, wetland ecology and wetland restoration. Each year WWA hosts events around the state including our annual Wetland Science Forum, workshops, courses and field trips. Laura also serves as editor for WWA's quarterly newsletter and manages content for WWA's website. Laura has a research background in aquatic ecology; she holds a Masters degree in Ecology and a certificate in Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development from the University of Georgia’s Institute of Ecology. She has also long been involved in aquatic conservation efforts - she has served as board member and taken leadership roles for several watershed groups including the Friends of Lake Wingra in Madison. Email Laura at laura.england [at] wisconsinwetlands.org

Erin O'Brien, joined WWA’s staff in February 2004. As our Wetland Policy and Conservation Specialist, her work focuses on strengthening state rules and regulations governing wetland management and providing support to individuals and communities interested in protecting local wetlands. Erin has a Masters degree in Land Resources from UW-Madison and more than twelve years of experience managing projects for non-profit organizations. Since moving to Wisconsin in 2001, she has worked on water policy and advocacy projects for the River Alliance of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Association of Lakes. Email Erin at erin.obrien [at] wisconsinwetlands.org

Alexia Sabor joined the WWA staff in June 2007 as our Member Services Coordinator. Alexia’s work involves maintaining member records, recruiting new members, organizing WWA’s annual member meeting, and serving as editor for Wetland News and Wetland Alerts. She has worked as a fisheries biologist, database manager, and statistician for the Wisconsin DNR as well as done independent consulting for the State of Wisconsin and environmental nonprofits. Alexia holds Master of Science in Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and is currently completing her PhD in Forest Ecology and Management at UW. She has conducted field research in a variety of Wisconsin ecosystems, including streams, lakes, and forested wetlands, and her research has focused on monitoring human impacts on the natural environment. Alexia particularly enjoys interacting with people and believes that cultivating strong relationships with members and volunteers is among the most important aspects of nonprofit operations. She looks forward to getting to know WWA’s members and using her skills to help maintain our statewide network of citizens interested and involved in wetland protection. Email Alexia at alexia.sabor [at] wisconsinwetlands.org

Farewell, Cindy Coffin

It is with great sadness that we report to the Wisconsin Wetlands Association membership that former WWA staff member Cindy Coffin passed away on February 4, 2008 from breast cancer. Cindy was WWA’s Member Services Coordinator from December 2006 through July 2007. In her short time with the organization, Cindy impressed all she worked with, from her fellow staff members to the office volunteers she recruited and trained to the many WWA members who called her with questions and requests. We were honored that Cindy was a member of the WWA team and we benefited greatly from her knowledge of communications and environmental messaging, her thoroughness, her strong work ethic, and her steady commitment to conservation. One WWA board member described her as "quiet, thoughtful and very competent." I would add that she was someone whose calm, determined demeanor inspired the people she knew to appreciate the moment and live purposefully. She was an active member of Wisconsin’s environmental community for 17 years. We have missed Cindy’s presence in the office since last summer and are grateful to have known and worked with her. Read the obituary here.

Key Volunteers

A volunteer since spring 2005, Richard S. Russell has logged more than 500 hours revamping WWA's database so it can better track and communicate with members, donors, partners and program participants. A retired database professional, Richard helps more than a dozen area nonprofit groups develop and manage databases, and he handles registration details for a myriad of local conventions and conferences. Richard's outstanding contributions were recognized with a Backyard Hero Award from Community Shares of WI in May, 2006. We thank Richard for his dedication to wetland conservation.

Rick Jones has been volunteering weekly for Wisconsin Wetlands Association since 2005, assisting with member communications, clerical work, and database management. He is happily retired from the Dane County Library Service and now volunteers with a handful of Madison-based organizations. He’s been a WWA member since 1997 and says he is "happy to be contributing to WWA’s efforts to educate people about the importance of wetlands." WWA recognized Rick for his dedication and with a volunteer award at our 2006 Annual Meeting. Rick was also recognized with a Backyard Hero Award from Community Shares of WI in May, 2007. We thank Richard for his dedication to wetland conservation.

Carolyn Sandberg has contributed her time and professional cartography skills to WWA since 2006. Carolyn completed her graduate work at UW Madison and is an expert in both map-making and GIS. She has been dedicated to helping WWA develop maps to support both our Wetland Threats Anlaysis and Wetland Gems projects from the very beginning. WWA thanks Carolyn for her commitment to these multi-year projects. Our outreach materials for these projects will be greatly enhanced by her contributions!