Deborah was born in Menominee, Michigan and raised in the Fox River Valley area. She received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. Deborah was hired as Executive Director of Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust in 2006, where her passion for the land, her vision, her experience, and education in environmental protection and nonprofit administration have helped grow the land trust and increase its effectiveness in protecting the land and waters of northeast Wisconsin.

One of the things Deborah most enjoys about her work is the satisfaction of knowing that one day, centuries from now, the landscape of northeast Wisconsin will still have undeveloped lakeshores and places where trees are allowed to grow ancient. “Someday, people are going to look back and thank the farsighted people who preserved these places,” notes Deborah.

Deborah lives in rural Calumet County, with her husband and her two college-aged daughters. She enjoys reading, camping, growing plants indoors and out, and exploring Wisconsin’s out-of-the-way places. 

 

Jim has been with the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust for over a decade. From the time he walked in as a volunteer, his involvement, knowledge, and, above all, his passion for the land have been invaluable to NEWLT. If you have seen the photos we use in our publications, you know Jim is not only our Land Acquisition Director, but also a talented photographer. His love of the natural world is evident in the stunning photos he takes of all our protected properties.

Having lived in the Appleton area for 40 years, Jim is a retired school teacher and former Assistant Naturalist at Mosquito Hill Nature Center. In his personal time, Jim enjoys taking photos, biking, camping, listening to classical music, and spending time with his wife and two grown daughters.

Julie earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University Wisconsin-Oshkosh with majors in Environmental Studies and Urban Planning. Prior to becoming part of the staff, Julie volunteered at Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust. When asked what her most memorable experience from volunteering was, she stated, "I really felt like I was a part of something big. The Land Trust was closing nine projects, a record year for NEWLT, and I knew I was a part of that history - a part of preserving something forever. Every year when we close projects now, I get the same thrill.”

Originally from Milwaukee, Julie moved to northeastern Wisconsin seven years ago and in her spare time enjoys reading, photography, camping, hiking and snowshoeing. "Before my mother moved to Milwaukee as a child, she had roots in Shawano and Waupaca Counties. Maybe that's why I felt it was so easy to fall in love with the region.” Curious by nature, she loves wandering the woods by foot or canoe with her family every chance she gets. "I am so lucky to be able to live here and be a part of conserving the many places that make this region so unique.”

Kari Hopfensperger lives in Shawano where she was born and raised. She has a degree in Environmental Policy and Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB), and also possesses a degree in Sustainable Development from the College of Menominee Nation. Kari interned at Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust when she was a student at UWGB. It was at this point in her college career when Kari first realized what she wanted to do when she graduated. Her interest in land use grew into a passion for land conservation. Kari spent the next year working with other non-profits in the area. When asked to become an official part of the team in 2011, Kari was thrilled as she felt so at home with NEWLT. Kari enjoys reading, camping, swimming, attending music festivals, and spending time with her husband and two young children.

Ryan grew up in Clintonville, and now resides in Bonduel. He has a degree in Wildlife Management and Ecology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Ryan has worked as a wildlife technician with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources throughout the state including Navarino, Babcock, Burlington, and La Crosse. After moving back to the area, Ryan married in August of 2011.

Ryan joined the NEWLT team in 2011 because he knows the significance of protecting land in the west shore of Green Bay and other natural communities. “Green Bay, its tributaries, and coastal wetlands provide crucial habitat for all types of wildlife and plants, as well as providing support to a healthy economy.” His hobbies include hunting, fishing, camping, watching movies, spending time with his wife, and just enjoying the outdoors.