About WAEE
Board of Directors Biographies
With a BS from UW-Madison in Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies as a launching point for education in EE, I continue to learn and cultivate a better understanding of the natural world and the importance of outdoor learning through employment as a naturalist at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center in Monona and as Coordinator for Nature Net, a consortium of nature centers, parks and museums in south central Wisconsin (since 2000).Striving to get children into hands-on nature experiences, providing teachers the tools needed to accomplish this, as well as encouraging collaboration between educational facilities and organizations are only a few of the ambitions I work toward daily. As WAEE Chair my role in EE has expanded to include representative, motivator, organizer and advocate.
I have been teaching science/environmental education since 1993. I taught 7th grade science at St. Francis Cabrini Middle School in Manitowoc for a year and was the educator at the Point Beach Energy Center for eight years. After moving to the northwoods, I took a position as a teacher/naturalist at Trees For Tomorrow. After three years I accepted a promotion to executive director. I received my Bachelor of Science degree from the UW-Green Bay, majoring in Human Development and attained a Teacher Certification for grades 1-8. I am continuing my natural resource education through UW-Stevens Point.
I have worked in the environmental education/natural resource field in some capacity for in aggregate of about 20 years, 11 of those years being an administrator and educator for EE Centers where I trained and mentored numerous staff. I have worked directly with and taught thousands of people from grade school to college to Elderhostel to inner city and native populations, and have worked protecting the Pike Wild River in northeast WI w/ the WDNR and for a variety of fishery and raptor research w/ WI DNR. I have also worked on native prairies and with Peregrine Falcons with the IA DNR and Nature Conservancy, and spent a number of years working w/ birds of prey as an educator and rehabilitator. Each summer I teach Water 380 at Treehaven for the UWSP/CNR and have a beautiful 10 year old daughter, Julianna.
Ruth Ann LeeMy interest in conservation and the outdoors began as a child participating in activities such as camping, hunting, fishing and shooting sports. My father showed me that you can enjoy the outdoors with other like-minded individuals and help make a difference through your actions and by getting involved. My experiences as a youth led me to pursue a degree from UWSP in Natural Resource Management / Environmental Education and Interpretation. Currently, I am the educator at the MacKenzie Environmental Center in Poynette, working with kids and adults of all ages and helping them experience the outdoors and learn to appreciate it. I believe in adults and youth experiencing the outdoors; without that, we should not expect them to appreciate it or protect the environment for the future.
Tom is the Program Manager at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES), where he instructs the Environmental Education/Interpretation Practicum for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and manages the daily and residential CWES school group programs. He coordinates and schedules over 50 schools and 4500 participants during the school year and loves to lead backpacking and canoeing trips over the summer for CWES summer camps. He received a B.S. in biology from Edgewood College in Madison, and a M.A. in Environmental Education from Montclair State University in 2001. Prior to working at CWES, he was the Program Coordinator for three years at the New Jersey School of Conservation, coordinating, scheduling and teaching programs in Environmental Education.
Glen Reindl
I am the social studies educator for the Wisconsin River Academy, (WRA) an experiential, environmental charter high school. For the past five years, I have taught local/community based history and environmental issues. I have a BA from UWSP in history and broadfield social studies, a Masters in Educational Leadership from Silver Lake College, and am currently working toward a Masters in Environmental Education from UWSP. My philosophy in Environmental education is shaped both by the educators who have taught me and students that I teach. Sustainability is how I frame my teachings. Population growth, over-consumption and lack of ecological/scientific knowledge I see as the heart of most environmental problems. My goal is to educate students and get them out in the real world to affect change, in their lives and community.
B.A. Environmental Science, Med in Environmental Education. Seven years teaching experience in environmental education to youth and adults. Board member for the Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education (reelected to 2nd term). Currently serving as Nature Center Director for the Aldo Leopold Nature Center.
Joey is the Washington Park Program Director for the Urban Ecology Center (UEC) in Milwaukee, WI. For the past year, she has helped launch UECs first satellite center located in Washington Park. Before this position, she taught science and math at El Puente High School for nine years, giving her over a decade of urban science teaching experience. In addition to her earning her biology teaching certification, she received a BS in biology, psychology, and women’s studies and an MS in Environmental Education from UWSP. She is currently on the board of directors for WAEE, the Milwaukee Biodiesel Coop and the Brewcity Bruisers, Milwaukee’s roller derby league. In her spare time, you may find her filtering waste grease to fuel her greasecar, playing music in her band, or camping with her two dogs.
Foghorn
Leghorn
I showed up at a WAEE auction many years ago. The WAEE members took a liking to me and I have been on many adventures over the years. Each year I return to the fundraising auction held at the annual fall conference. I am lovingly adopted by a nature center, student group, or EE site somewhere around the state where I spend the next year visiting with nature lovers of all ages. Don't miss my slide presentation at the next fall conference if you want to learn how I spent my time this year. Taking me home is a great way to invest in your statewide professional organization!