KEEP
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KEEP is successful due to the hard work and dedication of many individuals that believe strongly in the program's mission. KEEP's staff and support are people from around the state and from a variety of backgrounds.

A special thank you to everyone who has and continues to support KEEP and energy education throughout the state!

KEEP began in 1995 with funding from the Energy Center of Wisconsin (ECW). In 2000, the ECW worked with KEEP staff to ensure long-term financial support through Wisconsin's Public Benefits Program, Focus on Energy. As of July 2001, KEEP is a Focus on Energy program administered through the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (WECC).

Focus on Energy is a public-private partnership offering energy information and services to energy utility customers throughout Wisconsin. These services are delivered by a group of firms contracted by the Wisconsin Department of Administration's Division of Energy. The goals of this program are to encourage energy efficiency and use of renewable energy, enhance the environment, and ensure the future supply of energy for Wisconsin. For information about Focus on Energy services and programs, call 1.800.762.7077 or visit www.focusonenergy.com.

Jennie Lane, Director

Jennie has been employed with KEEP since it began in 1995. She started working with the program as the coordinator of curriculum development and became the director in 1998. In addition to her work with KEEP, Jennie serves on Board of Directors for the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.  

Jennie's past experience includes co-authoring the Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide, which has an international distribution and has received several awards. She taught at a teachers' college in Thailand during her Peace Corps service, in the public school systems in New York City and Lewiston, Maine, and at UW-Stevens Point. She received her BS in biology from Florida Southern College, master's degrees from Columbia Teachers College and the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, and her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from UW-Madison.

Jennie can be reached at jlane@uwsp.edu or 715.346.4770.

Carrie Bea Ziolkowski, Program Coordinator

Carrie started working for KEEP in February 2002. She manages the KEEP inservices for educators, works with other staff to market various programs and is the lead staff person for KEEP's popular bookmark contest.

Carrie graduated from UW-Stevens Point in December 1999 with a degree in Resource Management and minor in Environmental Communication. She has worked with the Golden Sands Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council, Inc., a non-profit organization in central Wisconsin. She headed up Waupaca County's Environmental Education program for two years and has worked to promote other local non-profit organizations throughout central Wisconsin. She has developed promotional materials for projects and organizations.  She is currently pursuing a Masters degree at UW-Stevens Point in Environmental Education.

Carrie Bea can be reached at cziolkow@uwsp.edu.

Sara Windjue, Energy Education Specialist

Sara began her position with KEEP in January 2005 after moving to Stevens Point from Oregon. In Oregon, Sara was employed with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department where she worked at Silver Falls State Park, Oregon's largest and most diverse state park, as Visitor Services Team Leader.

Sara graduated from Adrian College in Michigan with a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Environmental Science. She then went on to receive her Masters degree in Environmental Studies at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. Sara has an extensive past with environmental education and conservation activities including volunteering at The Nature Conservancy of Michigan, River Raisin Raptor Rehabilitation Center, Stubnitz Environmental Education Center, and the South Carolina Aquarium. She also has experience working as an intern with Pacific Whale Foundation in Maui, HI with Spinner dolphins and working with the Department of Interior at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with their Hawksbill Turtle Monitoring Program. During the summer of 2001, Sara was a member of the Americorps Program for Vermont Youth Conservation Corps where she worked as an assistant manager at Lake St. Catherine State Park.

During graduate school, Sara was employed by Project Oceanica at the College of Charleston where she worked on Dewees Island, an oceanfront community dedicated to environmental preservation and sustainability.  On Dewees Island, she was involved in marine phytoplankton monitoring, environmental education with homeowners and school groups, construction site inspections, nature center operations, and Loggerhead sea turtle nest monitoring and beach patrols. During her time with Project Oceanica, Sara created an online educational tool called "Commonly Found Marine Mollusks of the Southeastern United States".

Sara is responsible for KEEP's educational resources, online courses, and works closely with technology education teachers. She can be reached at swindjue@uwsp.edu or 715.346.4163.

Melissa Rickert, Outreach Specialist

Melissa is the newest member of the KEEP team. She started working as the Outreach Specialist in July 2006 after returning from her Peace Corps service in the Philippines.

One of the many roles Melissa will be taking on is that of Public Relations Officer for the Program. She will make sure that press releases are made in order to spread the word about KEEP and inform the public about the various projects and events that occur. Melissa will also be working with the program involving energy efficiency in school buildings and networking with the many teachers that attend the various courses offered by KEEP.

As a Peace Corps Volunteer, Melissa spent over two years in the small island community of Siquijor helping develop the local Solid Waste Management Program. She worked with schools, NGOs, and the community at large, sharing best practices and raising awareness of proper solid waste management.

Before joining Peace Corps, she was an Environmental Educator at Blue Ridge Outdoor Education Center in northeast Georgia. She facilitated outdoor classes like Forest Ecology, Conservation Strategies, and teambuilding for all ages.

Melissa is excited to work with the other KEEP staff and shares their enthusiasm about energy education and the environment.

Melissa can be reached at mrickert@uwsp.edu or 715.346.4320.

Jamie Mollica, Program Assistant

Dr. Randy Champeau, Director, Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education and Co-Associate Dean, UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources

Dr. Randy Champeau is Associate Dean of Extension/Outreach and Director of the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education in the College of Natural Resources (CNR) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA.

Champeau received his Ph.D. in Environmental Education from Michigan State University in 1980. He received his M.S. in Environmental Education in 1978 and his B.S. in Biology/Social Science with teacher certification in 1974 from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP). Prior to his present university career, he was a K-12 teacher.

As a founding director of the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education, he provides leadership related to the development of environmental education (EE) in the K-12 schools of Wisconsin. Champeau is credited with developing one of the largest EE graduate programs for teachers in the nation. As a professor at the University of Wisconsin, he teaches courses in environmental science, environmental education, and future studies.

Over the last fifteen years, he has participated on many working committees of the North American Association for Environmental Education and served on its board of directors. He is on the World Wildlife Fund U.S. Education Advisory Board, has served as chairman of the board for the Global Network of Environmental Education Centers, and served on the Education Working Group of President Clinton's Council on Sustainable Development. He is the former chairman of the International Joint Commission on Environmental Education Research, and in the last decade, has published and presented over 40 professional papers on environmental education.

Kathy Kuntz, Director, Operations, Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation

As the Director of Operations, Kathy leads the talented team of WECC staff and subcontractors who implement residential and renewable energy programs in and beyond Wisconsin. The largest of WECC's efforts is Wisconsin's Focus on Energy residential and renewable energy initiatives. Focus on Energy is a statewide public-private partnership to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy to citizens and businesses. Focus on Energy includes efforts promoting ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and lighting as well as initiatives to improve the comfort, safety and durability of new and existing homes and apartment buildings.

Kathy has 10 years of experience implementing demonstration and research projects in a variety of public and private settings. Beginning in 1996, Kathy's work focused on K-12 energy education and low-income energy. Before joining WECC, Kathy worked with the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education to develop and field the very successful Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP) as a project manager at the Energy Center of Wisconsin. Kathy continues to champion both KEEP and grassroots energy education efforts around Wisconsin.

Kathy has an M.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Don Wichert, Director, Renewable Energy Programs, Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (WECC)

Don is currently employed by the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation and is the Director of the Focus on Energy Renewable Energy Program. He is responsible for directing the administration of Wisconsin's $4 million per year renewable energy public benefits program. The program encourages customer applications of renewable energy by providing information, education, training, audits, project facilitation, feasibility and business development grants, project financing and barrier reduction services. The program is funded by Wisconsin utility ratepayers and implemented by 12 subcontractors, including the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education. The Focus Renewable Energy program supports the KEEP renewable energy effort through staff support, curriculum development, teacher and purchase of classroom materials.

Don has worked in the environmental and energy fields for 25 years, most of it with the Wisconsin Division of Energy as Chief of the Energy Resources Section. The section was responsible for data collection, technical and policy studies, program administration and public information related to fuel use in Wisconsin.

Don Wichert has a B.A in Geography, a B.S. in Thermal and Environmental Engineering and an M.S. in Energy Policy & Analysis. Don is a Board member of RENEW Wisconsin, the Biomass Energy Research Center and Wisconsin's Citizen's Utility Board. He is a licensed professional engineer in Wisconsin.

Pat Arndt, Pine River

Pat is currently a Biology, Environmental Science and Advanced Genetics teacher at Berlin High School in Berlin, WI. He is the Environmental Education coordinator for the district and serves on the staff development committee. Pat manages the two-school forest as well as coordinates a High/Low Ropes Challenge Course for the district. At the high school, Pat advises the ECAEP environmental science club, the Envirothon competition team, and the Trees for Tomorrow program.

Pat received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry in 1990, and his Masters degree in Environmental Education in 1995 from UW-Stevens Point. He currently is an adjunct faculty member for Marian College teaching a wildlife course for teachers, and as an adjunct faculty member for UW-Superior teaching a course about wild canids in Wisconsin. For UW-Stevens Point, Pat serves as an adjunct faculty member teaching a course about wolves and the K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP).

Pat has received numerous awards throughout his teaching career including the Herb Kohl Teaching Fellowship 1997, Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers Outstanding Science Teacher 1996, National Association of Biology Teachers Outstanding Biology Teacher 1999, and the UW-Stevens Point Biology Faculty Outstanding Biology Teacher Award 1998. He has received many grants that have allowed him to travel and study. He worked with the Endangered Cranes of Far East Russia through the International Cranes Foundation, the Herpetiles of the Amazon Rainforest, and the plants of the North Slope in Alaska.

In his spare time Pat serves as the co-chairperson for the Timber Wolf Information Network (TWIN) educating residents and researching wolves in Wisconsin by tracking and howling surveys. He is currently working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service restoring native prairies for the Endangered Karner Blue Butterfly. Pat enjoys birding and gardening at home as well as spending quality time outdoors with his daughter Mattea and black lab Raven.

Susan Barrett

Janie Besharse, Milwaukee

Janie taught in public classrooms and reading centers in Arkansas, Illinois, Virginia, Georgia, and Kansas before moving with her husband to their all time favorite state - Wisconsin! Her teaching experiences include K-8 urban, suburban, and rural schools, and private pre-schools. Janie's undergraduate degree is from Arkansas State University at Conway (B.S.E.), her master's degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (M.S.E.), and she is currently all but dissertation from the University of Kansas (Curriculum and Instruction Instructional Leadership Program).

Janie recently lectured in the Conservation and Environmental Sciences program at UW-Milwaukee. Her most recent courses introduced students to global climate change issues and the promise of renewable energy. She also advised the campus Sierra Club in their efforts to make UWM a sustainable university and promoted their efforts to bring organic locally grown foods to the student union vendors.

Jennifer Brinker, Madison

Jennifer received her bachelors in Biology and Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin and taught high school chemistry at Green Bay West High School from 2001-2003. Since completing her Master's degree in Land Resources with an Energy Analysis and Policy emphasis in 2006, Jennifer has been employed as an energy analyst with GDS Associates, Inc. in Madison, WI. As an energy analyst, Jennifer works with agricultural producers to determine energy saving measures that can be implemented on Wisconsin farms.

Terrie Cooper, Ellison Bay

A native of Ellison Bay, Terrie Cooper was deeply inspired growing up as a child in beautiful Door County. She left the county in 1979 to pursue a teaching degree in Biology and Conservation from UW-Madison and a Masters Degree in Environmental Education from UW-Stevens Point. For the past 15 years she has been working as a naturalist and environmental educator at nature centers throughout Wisconsin. These experiences included: Director of Education, Riveredge Nature Center; Environmental Education Specialist, Wisconsin DNR; Director of Maywood Environmental Park; and Adjunct Faculty of UW-Stevens Point and UW-Milwaukee. In 1999, Terrie returned to her home in Door County to work as Associate Director of the Door County Land Trust. In her free time Terrie loves to sea kayak, bike, hike, and study the birds and plants of Door County.

Cynthia Edlund, Crandon

Cindy graduated with a degree in biology from the University of Colorado-Pueblo and earned a master's degree in Natural Resources with an emphasis in environmental education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2001. She has been teaching for 18 years.

Cindy currently teaches physical science, biology, and environmental science at Crandon High School where she has taught for 11 years. She also serves as the forest coordinator for Crandon's Hovind Family School Forest. Cindy has received several awards including the Excellence in Science Education from the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers and a School Forest Award from the LEAF program. Cindy is also a facilitator for Projects WET, Wild, and Learning Tree and the Leopold Education Project.

Cindy is married with two children and a dog named Jack. She enjoys reading, hiking, and kayaking. Her favorite place to vacation is Costa Rica.

Jeanine Gelhaus, Medford

Jeanine received her Bachelor of Science Education and Masters of Science in Natural Resources, emphasis in Environmental Education, at UW-Stevens Point. Currently, Jeanine teaches for Medford Area Public School (7th grade geography), is the advisor for the Middle School Science Club, and serves as UWSP adjunct faculty where she teaches summer and evening classes, such as Integrating Energy Education and Technology, and KEEP. Jeanine is also a reviewer for the Energy Education On-Line class for UWSP.

Jeanine has been selected as one of the Building A Presence Key Leaders in the state (only 100 selected) and has received numerous awards throughout her teaching career, including, but not limited to, the Department of Education Fulbright to work in South Africa for 5 weeks (2001), the Project Learning Tree and Project WILD Teacher of the Year (2001), and Senator Kohl Teaching Fellowship for Distinguished Teaching (2000).

In her spare time (!) she serves on the Board of Directors for Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers and works as a consultant for the Department of Public Instruction on several projects including, data analysis, chemical safety, and international education. Jeanine is also a state facilitator for Projects Learning Tree, WILD, and WET and serves on numerous other education and curriculum development committees throughout the state.

Michelle Gransee-Bowman

Michelle Gransee was on KEEP's staff August 2002 - July, 2004. Michelle coordinated our renewable energy education efforts. This includes development of a renewable energy course, activity guide supplement, and coordination of the Midwest Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Fair's Educator Tent.

Originally from Minnesota, Michelle completed her M.S. in 2002 at UW-Stevens Point through the College of Natural Resources with an emphasis in Environmental Education. Previous to Point, Michelle completed a Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Environmental Education (EE) at the University of Minnesota-Duluth while a Graduate Naturalist at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center. Her B.A. is in Philosophy and Art History from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.

Michelle previously served with VISTA, the domestic Peace Corps, in Milwaukee, WI, and served as the Program Director for Elkhart EnviroCorps, an environmentally-focused AmeriCorps program in Elkhart, IN.

Jim Jenson, Madison

Jim is the Community Education Coordinator for Madison Gas and Electric (MGE). He has a B.S. in Natural Resources from UW Madison. Jim coordinates MGE Company's Education Outreach Service. His responsibilities include overall planning and implementation of energy-related programs and in-service opportunities for students and teachers on a variety of energy topics. Jim has served as a UW Stevens Point Adjunct Faculty member for three years. Prior to his work with MGE, Jim worked for three years as teacher demonstrator with Oak Ridge Assoc. Universities, Oak Ridge, TN delivering natural gas and nuclear energy education programs in middle and high schools throughout Michigan, Florida, Tennessee, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Jim worked as a naturalist with the Tremont Institute, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg TN.

Jim serves on the board of Directors of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Dane County, the Madison Safety Coalition, the United Way Business Volunteer Program, and UW Madison Dept. of Engineering Technical Communications Industrial Advisory Board. He is a native of Wausau, WI and now resides in Oregon, WI with his wife and four children.

Steve Knudsen, Stevens Point

Steve has had a long association with KEEP. He worked with Jennie Lane to develop the KEEP Conceptual Framework and Activity Guide and has been teaching KEEP courses since their inception. Steve received a Bachelor�s degree in electrical engineering from Princeton University and a Master�s degree in energy analysis and policy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He currently teaches physics and chemistry at Newman Catholic High School in Wausau. His interests span not only energy and environmental issues, but also history and music. Steve currently lives in Stevens Point.

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Bobbi Kubish, Stevens Point

Bobbi worked with KEEP from January 2000 until February 2002 coordinating a mini-grants program, co-writing an elementary supplement to the KEEP Activity Guide, assisting with KEEP teacher inservices, maintaining the Web site and developing an online energy course, NR 733: Energy Education: Concepts and Practices.

Bobbi then worked as the interim Director for the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES), a field station of the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. CWES is a year-round environmental education and conference center 17 miles east of Stevens Point, WI. CWES provides school field trips for K-12^th graders and summer youth and family camps.

Bobbi moved to South Korea in January 2005 to live with her husband, Joel, who served in the US Army. She taught ESL for JOIN English Academy and Tom & Jerry Elementary School in Pyongtaek (a city 1 1/2 hours south of Seoul). She later work out of the US Army Camp Humphreys Environmental Office, located in An Jung Ri (a city next to Pyongtaek), as an environmental specialist. Bobbi taught environmental compliance courses to the soldiers and performed environmental inspections.

Bobbi is now back in Wisconsin working as the International Programs Coordinator in the College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Bobbi received her M.S. in environmental education at UW-Stevens Point in December 2001. Her thesis project involved the development, implementation and evaluation of the Internet course, NRES 558 Biodiversity and Conservation Biology.

Scott Liddicoat, Green Bay

Scott became an adjunct faculty for KEEP in 2006. He has taught high school science for over 22 years and is currently teaching at Green Bay Southwest High School. Scott received his undergraduate degree from UW-Madison in Biology and Life Science Education and his Masters degree from Viterbo University in 1995 for Education Arts. Scott received the Aldo Leopold Teaching Award in 1989 and the Herb Kohl Fellowship Award in 2002. He has been published as a co-author in the December 2005 issues of The Science Teaching: Using An Authentic Radioisotope to Teach Half-Life. Scott currently works for Wisconsin Public Service as a writer and teacher trainer with their SolarWise for Schools renewable energy program.

Scott is married and is the father of two boys.

Pat Marinac, Iola and Appleton

Pat serves as the Science Program Leader for the Appleton Area School District in Wisconsin. In this position, she coordinates program development and implementation. Prior to this assignment, Pat taught middle and high school science in Appleton for 18 years. A primary interest of her classroom years was developing a district environmental science program and involving students in field research. She thoroughly enjoys the opportunity to work with teachers on professional learning activities.

Pat serves as the representative for environmental educators on Wisconsin's Environmental Education Board, and is active in WAEE and WSST. She worked with the DPI in the development of the Environmental Education and the Science Standards and on numerous other projects.

Pat lives with her husband, Sterling Strathe, near Iola and loves every minute of it! Together they enjoy the country life.

Ted May, Washburn