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Unifying the Conservation Movement

Central Conservation empowers a constellation of environmental organizations working to care for our Earth.

AmeriCorps Funding Cuts
Threaten Conservation,
Education, and Community Well-Being in
Wisconsin

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Our Programs

Central Conservation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit conservation agency that empowers the following organizations to care for our Earth.

WisCorps’ mission is to engage the next generation of environmental leaders through guided, hands-on service opportunities that benefit our region’s public lands.

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The Nature Place is a nature-focused community center, who’s mission is to cultivate meaningful connections between people and nature, for the benefit of both.

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Our People

Emily Post

Interim Executive Director
Mary Freybler Director of Development

Mary Freybler

Director of Development
Kristy Brown

Kristy Brown

Administrative Manager

Paige Manges

Marketing & Communications Manager
Eric Headshot

Eric Loghini

UW-L Marketing Fellow
Camdyn Headshot

Camdyn Rhode

UW-L Development Fellow

Board of Directors​

Michael Scott

Board Chair
Brenda Haug

Brenda Haug

Vice Chair

Jess Medema

Treasurer

Greg Tainter

Secretary

Barbara Thompson

Member

Buzz Bocher

Member

Tim Sprain

Member

Amy DuPont

Member

Justin T. Reineking

Member

Board of Directors

Leadership

Michael Scott Board Chair

Brenda Haug Vice Chair

Jess Medema Treasurer

Greg Tainter Secretary

Members

Amy Dupont

Buzz Bocher

Greg Tainter

Justin Reineking

Thomas Checkai

Tim Sprain

Support Central Conservation

Your contribution to Central Conservation supports land stewardship, environmental education, and empowers the next generation of environmental leaders through our supported programs (WisCorps and The Nature Place).

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Email: [email protected] / Address: 789 Myrick Park Drive La Crosse, WI 54601

 

Central Conservation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit conservation agency. Under IRS guidelines, the full amount of your gift is tax-deductible as no substantial goods or services are provided to you in exchange for your gift.

 

© 2025 Central Conservation. Website & Branding by BWdB

Emily Post
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Emily Post

Interim Executive Director

Emily grew up camping with her family all over Wisconsin, which sparked a lifelong love of the outdoors. She moved to La Crosse in 2009 to attend UW-La Crosse and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Environmental Studies. After college, Emily did an SCA AmeriCorps Term with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge. Then, Emily spent two summers working as a ranger for the U.S. National Park Service in Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain National Parks before starting working for WisCorps in 2015.

Her love for the Driftless region brought her back to La Crosse. She loves exploring with her husband and kiddos, Colton, Will, and Charlotte. She enjoys hiking, camping, singing, crafting, baking, and musicals.

Mary Freybler Director of Development
EMAIL
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Mary Freybler

Director of Development

Mary grew up in central Wisconsin and attended UW-La Crosse earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Management. Her resume includes: Director of Parks & Recreation, Development Director for the Boy Scouts of America, and Major & Planned Giving Specialist for a medical foundation. These incredible professional experiences have shaped her career in philanthropy and enhanced her desire to build stronger communities.

 

Joining Central Conservation feels like coming home to Mary – a blend of environmental education, conservation, service and philanthropy. As the Director of Development, she is eager to use her skills to enhance the organization’s current work and build toward future goals together. Outside of work, she spends time with her family and friends, and enjoys boating, golf, pickleball, listening to live music, and traveling.

Kristy Brown
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Kristy Brown

Administrative Manager

Kristy grew up in Southern WI but spent summers at her grandparents dairy farm in the Driftless Area. She developed a passion for the outdoors, land stewardship and conservation. She attended the UW Madison and moved Sparta. She has a farm and raises llamas and has been installing prairie strips along with woodland management for forest production and wildlife habitat. She enjoys hiking, often with her llamas, and has done sections of the Continental Divide Trail in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. She also enjoys hunting and foraging for mushrooms.

 

In her professional careers, she has been an entry level employee, management and a business owner for several years. This broad background has developed a skill set that will blend well with the mission of Central Conservation. She is happy to join this team and support Wisconsin Conservation Corps and The Nature Place.

EMAIL
LINKEDIN

Paige Manges

Marketing & Communications Manager

After ten+ years in the agency world, Paige hung up her Commercial Production hat to find an outdoors-focused organization that would align with her core values, beliefs, and passion for environmental causes. Her goal has always been to use her creativity, connections, and collaborative energy to raise awareness around important causes and initiatives she believes in.

 

For many years Paige served as a Girl Scouts Troop 6000 Leader, connecting with girls of all ages who were experiencing homelessness or transitional housing.  Every Saturday, she gained an invaluable appreciation for the hard work needed within the nonprofit sector and found a passion for deep connection through committed relationships. This contributed to the launch of her passion project, “Work, Wages and the Future of Nashville”, an event that attracted over 400+ attendees to participate in a conversation involving Nashville’s top leaders and activists. In 2020, she co-launched the Nashville Living Wage with several close colleagues, which has now grown to highlight over 25+ businesses.

 

Outside of work, Paige is mostly found in the garden, the kitchen, or lost in the trees. Central Conservation’s mission aligns with Paige’s vision to blend her professional experience and passions.

Eric Headshot
EMAIL

Eric Loghini

UW-L Marketing Fellow

Eric grew up in southeastern Wisconsin and developed a love for nature at a young age. Whether it was catching bugs, exploring woods, fishing, or watching wildlife, he could always be found outside. Eric came to La Crosse for the first time when touring colleges, and instantly gravitated to UW-La Crosse due to the nature that the Driftless area offers. Eric is now a senior at UWL majoring in Marketing and minoring in Sustainable Business. When not working, you can find Eric outdoors exploring the Driftless area by fishing, exercising or hiking.
Camdyn Headshot
EMAIL

Camdyn Rhode

UW-L Development Fellow

Camdyn grew up in central Wisconsin where she was surrounded by fields and flat land. So, ever since coming to La Crosse for the first time to visit her sister at college eight years ago, she has been in love with the Driftless area and its beauty. Growing up, playing outside was an everyday occurrence for Cam and now as an adult she enjoys boating and hanging out at the lake, hammocking, playing cards on the porch, and going for walks outside. Cam is a third-year student at UWL where she will graduate in spring 2025. She is currently obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Public Communication and Advocacy and a minor in Race, Gender, and Sexuality studies. Cam is also a second-year RA in Angell Hall. She is super excited for her ability to make a difference in the community through her fellowship at The Nature Place.
EMAIL
LINKEDIN

Michael Scott

Board Chair

My name is Michael Scott and I am a Parent Educator as well as a Marketing/Outreach team member at The Parenting Place. Our mission at The Parenting Place melds easily with the mission of WisCorps. I jumped at the opportunity when I was asked. 

 

I am an avid backpacker and touring sea kayaker. My favorite place to do both those activities is right here in our own backyard. Few people realize that we live within a large wildlife refuge and the opportunities for outdoor recreation are through the roof. 

 

I just love living and playing here and to work to preserve the natural world for future generations seems nearly obligatory.

Brenda Haug
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Brenda Haug

Vice Chair 

I decided to be a part of WisCorps at the very beginning because I was intrigued by the concept of the conservation corps, especially all the experiences that would become available to young people. I was also very interested in the potential growth possibilities regarding projects, sites, and education. 

 

Over the years I’ve become so proud of the crew members, the projects that have been completed, and the new communities that WisCorps has been invited to assist. Having been Executive Director of Hixon Forest Nature Center for 14 years, I’m also very happy that WisCorps has expanded it’s environmental education programs to families, schools, and the community.

 

Personally, I’m a big “project” person, whether crocheting a blanket or laying patio bricks, I love to make “stuff”. In the warmer months, flower and vegetable gardens are my projects, but I also have four grandchildren locally that are regular visitors. 

 

My current passion is travel – as I’m getting to the age that I want to make sure I’m still able to enjoy and explore. I was fortunate to visit Mexico, Costa Rica, Florida, Colorado, and Jamaica in 2022 and plan to add a few more destinations in 2023! This year promises to bring lots of exciting times and growth for WisCorps, and I look forward to seeing it all develop.

EMAIL
LINKEDIN

Jess Medema

Treasurer

I decided to be a part of the WisCorps Board of Directors as an opportunity to give back to the community. Working in the financial industry for the last 15 years has given me the knowledge needed to be successful in my role as Board Treasurer.

 

My hobbies and interests include spending time outdoors hiking, walking our dog, or getting out on the water.

EMAIL
LINKEDIN

Greg Tainter

Secretary

I grew up on a ginseng farm in Monroe County and have always enjoyed getting into the outdoors. In college, I studied environmental law and applied to WisCorps because of the great work they’re doing.

 

In my free time, I like to play with my dog, Marshal, and in the wintertime I like going ice fishing on Mississippi backwaters.

EMAIL
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Barbara Thompson

Member

My husband and I moved to West Salem in 1980. When the first of our three children entered kindergarten we were pleasantly surprised to find that the district owned a school forest. When our oldest was in first grade her teacher asked for parent volunteers to help out during their school forest trip. I had never heard of such a thing as a school forest and…..I was hooked! I have a BS in Forest Management from UW-Stevens Point. With that knowledge I helped teachers and students learn about what a great place “their” forest was. And in 1993 I was hired as the school district’s first Outdoor Education Center Coordinator. A job I thoroughly enjoyed for 23 years. From 1996 to 2019 I spent part of each summer in far eastern and far northern Russia running environmental summer camps for Russian students. When I retired I knew I wanted to stay involved in Environmental Education. I think that one of the most important things we can do for and with today’s children is help them learn about and understand the world they live in. Serving on the board helps me keep that EE connection. I love spending time with my kids and grandkids. We find lots of things to do outdoors! I also really enjoy hiking, cycling, canoeing, reading, and gardening.

EMAIL
LINKEDIN

Buzz Bocher

Member

I am an original board member from WisCorps’ inception. I strongly believe in the idea of giving young people working experiences in various outdoor settings and doing good things for the environment.

 

I am now retired, but the last seventeen years of my work life I taught environmental studies at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Most of my hobbies and interests involve the outdoors in one way or another, and working in the WisCorps vegetable garden is a big part of my spring, summer, and fall.

EMAIL
LINKEDIN

Tim Sprain

Member

I am honored to be a part of this organization that reflects my personal passion. Let me tell you more about why I support WisCorps…

 

My roots are in the Coulee Region and I grew up in a family that valued agriculture, education and the performing arts. My experiences in 4-H, in the West Salem School Forest, and the La Crosse Community Theater molded my youth.

 

I am now a 7th grade teacher and the 6th through 12th grade Science Coordinator for the La Crosse School District and a graduate Faculty member of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. I live to serve the needs of our regional communities with an emphasis in the same areas my family valued.

 

Why do I enjoy being a board member of WisCorps? Three words come to mind…WORK, LAND, and PASSION. WORK because WisCorps focuses on skill building and work ethic. LAND because sustainable land use practices are vital to our future. PASSION, because WisCorps staff, volunteers and participants are passionate about all the work they do.

EMAIL
LINKEDIN

Amy DuPont

Member

Amy DuPont is an award-winning journalist who has been featured on FOX, CNN, and CBS News. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a degree in Communication Studies. Amy worked all over the country covering everything from breaking news to presidential visits, a drinking water crisis, and even an all-star granny basketball league.

 

Amy left TV news in 2023, but you can still see her on your local gas pump! Amy is the Kwik Trip Inc. Creative Media Manager. When she’s not creating commercials and other content, Amy enjoys a good nap, a long walk, performing in a local musical, and singing with a local band. A proud wife and mom of two boys and too many dogs, she believes there is never a dull moment, and you are never too full for ice cream.

EMAIL
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Justin T. Reineking

Member

Ever since moving to La Crosse in 2002, I have been captivated by the all the outdoor recreational opportunities! What an embarrassment of riches we have here! I am an avid trail runner, hiker and fisherman. My wife Cindy and I are raising four children on the north side of La Crosse who all share similar interests in the outdoors.

 

The idea of connecting our young people to conservation efforts makes a lot of sense to me. If we want to be able to enjoy what the Coulee Region has to offer for a long time, then we need to learn how to care for and nurture it.

 

For the last 20 years I have worked for State Bank Financial through which I have had opportunities to meet many people who have been impacted by organizations like WisCorps and I hope to be able to contribute in anyway I can!