Staff
Director - Sterling Strathe has been involved in outdoor and environmental education for the past 13 years. Prior to joining the LEAF team he was Assistant Director of the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES) for four years. During that time he directed the development of two WI forestry education initiatives-WI Forestree, Bridging the Gap Between Environment and Economy and the Changing of the Land. Sterling's educational background includes a BS in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology and Biology Teaching Certification from Iowa State University and an MS in Natural Resources with an emphasis in Environmental Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP). Currently Sterling is working to reestablish forest on his property in central Wisconsin.
Forestry Education Specialist - Sarah Gilbert's appreciation for the forests of Wisconsin began on her parents' forested property in Adams County. Sarah's educational background includes a BS with a major in Forest Recreation and a minor in Environmental Communications from UWSP and an MS in Natural Resources with an emphasis in Environmental Education also from UWSP. While living in southwestern Wisconsin, Sarah enjoyed working as both a naturalist at Wyalusing State Park and as lead guide at the Villa Louis State Historic Site. She also helped increase urban forest awareness as a former co-owner of Natural Choice Tree Care, Inc.
Forestry Education Digital Media Specialist - Kelly Mortenson grew up in the urban forests of Minneapolis. Her love for the vast outdoors was kindled by long visits “up north” at grandma and grandpa’s cabin on Hill Lake. She has spent thousands of hours canoeing, hiking and camping in Minnesota, Montana, Colorado and most recently, Wisconsin. Kelly received her B.S. in Applied Design and Visual Communication from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities back when it was exciting to draw a line with a mouse, pixel-by-pixel. Kelly has developed websites and outreach materials, and has helped implement successful outreach campaigns for the Montana 4-H Foundation, Yellowstone Business Council, and the local Epilepsy Foundation.
School Forest Education Specialist - Jeremy Solin learned to appreciate and enjoy the outdoors while growing up on his family's tree farm in north central Wisconsin. He received his bachelor's degree from UWSP in Water Resources prior to getting his master's in Environmental Education from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Prior to joining the LEAF team, Jeremy worked at the Oregon Forest Resources Institute in Portland, OR where he was the manager of public outreach. His most recent "project" is instilling an appreciation for the outdoor world in his son.
LEAF Program Assistant - Jessica Tomaszewski spent nearly every weekend of her childhood at "the cabin" in the northwoods of Wisconsin. Canoeing, fishing, and hunting along the South Fork of the Flambeau River are among her most fond memories. Jessica graduated from UWSP with a bachelors degree in Forestry emphasizing Forest Recreation and Urban Forestry. Prior to joining the LEAF team she worked on the Forest Inventory & Analysis program in southern and central Wisconsin. She is looking forward to sharing her love of the outdoors with her young son, who is already showing a knack for spotting "birdies."
Instructors
Pat Arndt is a high school science teacher, school forest manager, and the environmental education coordinator for the Berlin School District. He received both his bachelor's degree in biology/chemistry/secondary education and master's degree in resource management/environmental education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Pat has been teaching for 13 years.
Terrie Cooper has worked as an Environmental Educator/Naturalist for the past 15 years at nature centers throughout Wisconsin, including Riveredge Nature Center, Trees for Tomorrow and Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary. She received her bachelor's degree secondary education, conservation and biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her master's degree in natural resources-environmental education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. In 1999, Terrie returned to her childhood home of Ellison Bay to work as the Director of Land Protection for the Door County Land Trust where she helps permanently protect land from future inappropriate development.
Sally Ellingboe retired from the Stevens Point Area School District in 2002. She served as the environmental education coordinator and managed the district's Boston School Forest for 20 years. Sally was also an elementary school teacher for 12 years. She received both her bachelor's degree in intermediate/upper elementary education and her master's degree in resource management/environmental education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Jeanine Gelhaus is an 8th grade science teacher at Medford Area Middle School. She has been teaching in the district for the past 10 years. She received her bachelor's degree in elementary/middle school education and her master's degree in Natural Resources/Environmental Education. In 2000, she completed the National Boards for Professional Teaching Standards in the area of Early Adolescent Science. She has been fortunate enough to have hiked through forests on five of our seven continents.
Nick Hylla has a bachelor's degree in Geology from Northern Illinois University and a Master's degree in Natural Resources/Forestry from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He is a returned Peace Corps volunteer and has been involved in forestry education in Wisconsin since 2000. He co-authored the middle school curriculum "Wisconsin Forestree: Bridging the Gap between Environment and Economy." He worked with LEAF to develop the teacher training course, the 9-12 lesson guide, and the wildland fire supplement. He is currently the executive director of the Wisconsin Forest Resources Education Alliance (WFREA) where he works to promote forestry education opportunities for K-12 teachers and forest stakeholders.
Kendra Johncock has been teaching environmental education in southeastern Wisconsin for 22 years. She is an independent contractor for environmental programs. Her largest client is the Seno Woodland Education Center. Kendra received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Alma College in Alma, Michigan and her master's degree in environmental education through the National Audubon Society Expedition Institute in conjunction with Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Mike Johnson teaches at Longfellow Middle School in La Crosse as part of the School on the River Program. He received both his bachelor's degree in elementary education and his master's degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Mike has been teaching for 11 years.
Pat Marinac oversees staff development and new teacher induction the for the Appleton Area School District. She received her bachelor's degree in biology from Lawrence University, a master's degree in resource management/environmental education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and a master's degree in educational leadership from Cardinal Stritch University. Pat has been teaching for 23 years.
Kathleen Morgen is enjoying her dream job as the Environmental Educator for University of Wisconsin Extension at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland, Wisconsin. Her main focus at the Center is to design and implement environmental education programs to regional school and youth groups. She received her bachelor's degree from UW-Whitewater and her master's degree in science education from UW-Madison. Kathleen has taught elementary education in Wisconsin schools for 18 years and worked as a naturalist in the Madison School Forest and UW-Madison Arboretum.
Michele Nickels is the assistance director of the Nicolet Distance Education Network (NDEN). Michele has provided environmental education programming, curriculum and staff development outreach for its eleven district members since 1998. Prior to NDEN she worked with the Department of Natural Resources as an LTE Natural Resource Educator. Michele received her Bachelors degree from UW-Stevens Point in Wildlife Management and Environmental Education and Interpretation.
Mary Pardee has worked for the UW-Extension since 2000, first as a statewide Lakes Education Specialist and currently as the Youth Development Educator in Burnett County. Prior to that, she worked as a naturalist and manager of the Brillion Nature Center and the Navarino Nature Center. Mary received her bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from UW-Green Bay and a master's in Environmental Education/Interpretation from UW-Stevens Point.
Dennis Weibel is a retired elementary teacher. He taught for 31 years in the Black River Falls, Dodgeville, Waukesha, and Menomonie school districts. Dennis has a master's degree in resource management/environmental education and has been teaching environmental education classes to teachers in the western part of the state for the past 15 years.