An Open Autumn Letter... Message from the Board President

To our LNRP Friends, Partners, and Supporters:

The seasons are most definitely turning. Change is something that happens whether (or “weather”) we like it or not, and being hearty Wisconsinites, we generally know how to adapt to change. As LNRP approaches the end of its 20th anniversary year, the board of directors and staff are also embracing some big changes; changes that are opening important opportunities for us as we look toward the future with optimism and great anticipation… as well as with open eyes to the challenges that continue to drive us as an environmentally-focused nonprofit.

Our mission has never been more important as we continue to work with our community-based partner organizations and businesses to cultivate conservation, collaboration, and community from the Ledge to the Lakeshore. And without you, none of this positive work would happen. It has been wonderful reflecting on the positive impacts you (through your support of LNRP and community-based partner groups) have had on the human and ecological communities we serve.

But change continues even as we greet a new season. It’s only been a few months since Tom Mlada, our former executive director, began his journey outside LNRP. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Natalie Dorrler-Hyde, who for the last few months has done double duty as our Director of Partnerships and Programs while also taking on the role of Acting Executive Director after Tom’s departure. Natalie has accomplished an astonishing amount of critical work. She has built up the LNRP team with highly-qualified professionals and supported the board of directors through our own continuing governance, development, and financial changes. We thank Natalie for helping us set a solid course for moving forward as she embarks on a new chapter in her professional life.

The LNRP team is growing, and we welcome the extensive experience and fresh perspectives of these newcomers. Patricia Scuglik, our new Director of Programs and Partnerships, and Anna Ostermeier, our new Communications Coordinator, have already made fantastic contributions to support our operations and community partners. Soon we will also welcome a new executive director for LNRP! This is very exciting, given the caliber of those who have applied for this position. We have a solid search committee composed of a diverse group of individuals with great insights and experience, and interviews are now occurring. Stay tuned, as this new leader will certainly have an important vision and voice in our work, with many more stories and initiatives to share.

Important changes at the board level are occurring, too. A push for identifying and bringing on new trustees, with the skill sets we need and experience we need to draw on, will be critical in 2024. If you have any interest in learning more about service on our board of directors, please reach out and contact us.

We will continue sharing updates as we move through this exciting transition. Enjoy the changing seasons, friends!

On behalf of the entire LNRP Board of Directors, thank you!

Rolf Johnson
LNRP Board President