Kristin received an AS in Landscape Horticulture from MATC; a BS in Botany from Concordia University; and a MS in Environmental Science from Concordia University.

Since 2007, as the director of the Mequon Nature Preserve, Kristin is living her dream – giving back to the community she grew up in and a career that she is passionate about. With Kristin’s leadership, MNP offers a series of educational programs to students K5-college and have helped over 10,000 low income children annually experience the outdoors and learn about nature ‘up close and personal’ – free of charge. It is rewarding to be able to go into work every day knowing that you are helping children who have never experienced the world without concrete learn about nature and all its wonders.

Kristin is married to Michael Gies and has two children, Gavin and Adia.

Cory joined MNP as the Director of Restoration and Operation in 2017 but has been in the Green Industry for over 20 years. He graduated from MATC with a degree in Landscape Horticulture in 1998. Prior to his position at MNP he owned and operated Second Nature Landscape Company.

Cory has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to MNP. He is a past president of the Wisconsin Arborist Association, an ISA Certified Arborist, and has served on a number of forestry-related committees over the past 20 years.

Cory enjoys family vacations to Colorado with his wife Andrea and two boys Caleb and Ryan.

Nick started out at MNP as an intern in the summer of 2017 between his junior and senior year of college. He graduated in May of 2018 from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point with a BS in Wildlife Management and Ecology. He was an active member in the UW-Stevens Point student chapter of The Wildlife Society and the Fire Crew where he participated in numerous research project.

His love for the land stemmed from his background in farming, and spending time in the outdoors with his family. He enjoys hunting and fishing in his free time along with playing with his family’s dog, Kai. Nick looks forward to continuing his learning of land restoration and research techniques along with being a part of MNP’s bright future.

Amanda received a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Saint Louis University in May 2018. While at SLU, she was an active member of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity.

She was a summer intern at MNP in 2017 and 2018. She loves that she has the ability to have a job where she can work outside. She credits her love for the environment through the backpacking and canoeing trips throughout the country during her summers in high school. In her free time, she enjoys going to her family’s lake cabin near Minoqua.

Jamie graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. Through there in 2016 he collected data on Yellow Bellied Marmots at the Colorado Mountain Research Station in Nederland. In the summer of 2017 and 2018 he was an intern at MNP.

His love for the environment stems from trips up north with his father and grandfather. Jamie enjoys climbing mountains in Colorado every year and fishing with friends and family in the summer. He is grateful for the opportunity to work at MNP after growing up next door and frequenting it as a boy.

Gary’s expertise bridges 3 of the 5 MNP Mission Facets: Habitat Restoration, Environmental Education, and Research & Monitoring. Gary will integrate biodiversity programming into these priorities. He was involved with the initial creation of the Mequon Nature Preserve through the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust, and continues to direct wildlife studies at MNP. He has over 40 years’ experience in wildlife ecology and biodiversity studies. After 20 years at the Milwaukee Public Museum, he has continued to focus on wildlife conservation in the western Great Lakes region through the UWM Field Station, Great Lakes Ecological Services, and local land trusts. Gary has over 100 publications; his latest book is a Field Guide to the Amphibian Eggs and Larvae of the Western Great Lakes.

Gary participates in many ecological restoration projects and biodiversity studies in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan. His team invented the concept of Species of Local Conservation Interest in order to identify biodiversity at risk on local landscapes. He runs biodiversity programs for the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, land trusts, and private land owners, and has developed protocols for surveying crayfish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds that are in widespread use. Gary has pioneered the use of automated bioacoustic systems for monitoring wildlife.

Gary enjoys recreating in the Kettle Moraine landscapes.

Ann and Fred love to spend time with their family and friends. They enjoy making everyone feel happy and welcome. Ann also likes to create art in her free time and take care of her partially blind mother. They both enjoy cleaning, cooking, fishing, decorating their home, and writing and singing songs. They have three daughters and six grandchildren (four girls and two boys).

Before working at MNP Ann worked with children at a local day care and cleaned other buildings.

Timber is the offspring of Tilia’s sister. This aunt and nephew duo will serve as both conservation canines and conservation ambassadors. His powerful nose will be a key tool in MNP’s land restoration efforts! Timber enjoys naps, back and belly scratches, following Tilia everywhere, and playing with all his toys.

Tilia is the first on-staff conservation dog in the state of Wisconsin! Her powerful nose helps her to sniff out both invasive and native plant and animal species; making her a vital tool to our restoration crew. Tilia enjoys naps, food (especially bananas), and lots of cuddles and pets.