The Prairie Enthusiasts

Officers

	Jack Kussmaul, President Jack is a lawyer in Lancaster, Wisconsin, when he is not working on natural restoration on his own property. "I am awed by TPE's ability to acquire properties worthy of protection. I just wish we were as good at collecting endowments to support these properties!"
	Nick Faessler, Treasurer Nick is a farmer. "My feet are my connection to the soil and life. Prairies are my connection to life and my Earth."
	Rich Henderson, Secretary Rich represents the Empire Sauk chapter. He is an ecologist with the Wisconsin of Natural Resources Bureau of Integrated Science Services (formerly Research). Rich has 33 years of experience in natural area inventory, assessment and management of prairie, sedge meadow, oak savannah and oak woodland ecosystems.
	Evanne Hunt, Past President Evanne is a technical communication professional concentrating in technical writing for computer software applications. "Prairies and oak savannas are our rainforests, our redwoods, our coral reefs. But, because they are in our backyards, we don't "see" them. They are just as worthy of our concern and protection."

Board of Directors

	Jean Clark Jean represents the Prairie Sands chapter.
	Gary Eldred (emeritus) Gary is a one of the founding members of TPE.
	Nick Faessler Nick represents the Prairie Bluff chapter.
	Richard Henderson Rich represents the Empire Sauk chapter. He is an ecologist with the Wisconsin of Natural Resources Bureau of Integrated Science Services (formerly Research). Rich has 33 years of experience in natural area inventory, assessment and management of prairie, sedge meadow, oak savannah and oak woodland ecosystems. Rich is a past president of TPE and an originator of the Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area, which includes more than 50,000 acres of grasslands in Dane and Iowa counties in southwest Wisconsin. Henderson also has served as the leader and motivator of several projects for The Nature Conservancy, namely the prairie preserves known as Spring Green, Schluckebier, and Black Earth Rettenmund.
	Evanne Hunt Evanne represents the St. Croix Valley chapter.
	Mark Leach Mark represents the Chippewa Savannas chapter.
	Linda Lynch Linda represents the Southwest chapter.
	Alice Mirk Alice represents the newly formed Glacial Prairie chapter. She was one of the founding members of TPE.
	Richard Oberle Richard is a director at large.
	Henry Panowitsch Henry represents the Many Rivers Chapter.
	Eric Preston Eric is a director at large. He's been interested in natural history and environmental conservation most of his life. He finds The Prairie Enthusiasts the perfect organization to allow him to be involved directly and see the impact of these efforts. Eric lives in Madison, and is a software developer.
	Jeff Ralston Jeff is a director at large.
	Paul Rode Paul represents the Northwest Illinois chapter.
	Jim Rogala Jim represents the Coulee Region chapter. Jim's interest in prairies grew out of the discovery of small remnants on his woodland property. During his efforts to learn more about prairies, he found TPE to be a collection of knowledgable, hardworking, and caring folks that share the same passion for prairie preservation.