Our People
Meet the staff and board members behind Central Conservation.
Meet Our Team
- 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 joining WisCorps in 2015.
- 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 UW–Madison and moved to 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.
- 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.
- Development Officer, CFRE
Matthew rejoined the Central Conservation staff as Development
Officer, having previously served as Executive Director for 16 years.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with an environmental science
concentration from UW-La Crosse and began his conservation career with the
Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, before returning to Wisconsin in 2009 to
launch WisCorps.
- Director of Communications
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.
- Administrative Coordinator
Courtney’s path spans rural Tennessee/Virginia, summers in off-grid Alaska, and studies at UW–Madison in Geography & Environmental Studies. With experience in fieldwork, park services, USDA agriculture, and hospitality, she now serves as Administrative Coordinator at Central Conservation, where she continues building her environmental career in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region.
Meet Our Board
- Board President
Jess Medema serves as Board President of Central Conservation. With over 15 years of experience in the financial industry and currently Assistant Vice President of Lending Finance at Altra Federal Credit Union, she brings both expertise and a deep commitment to community impact.
- Board Vice Chair
Michael Scott is a Parent Educator and a member of the Marketing and Outreach team at The Parenting Place. The mission of The Parenting Place aligns closely with the work of Central Conservation, supporting strong families, communities, and connections to place.
- Board Secretary
Justin T. Reineking has spent more than 20 years at State Bank Financial and is passionate about connecting young people to conservation. A longtime La Crosse resident, he values protecting the outdoor spaces that make the Coulee Region special.
- Board Member
Tim Sprain is a 7th grade teacher and Science Coordinator for the La Crosse School District and a graduate faculty member at UW–La Crosse. A Coulee Region native, he is passionate about education, land stewardship, and the hands-on conservation work championed by WisCorps.
- Board Member
Barbara Thompson is a longtime environmental educator and former Outdoor Education Center Coordinator for the West Salem School District. With a degree in Forest Management from UW–Stevens Point, she has dedicated her career to connecting young people with nature and outdoor learning.
- Board Member
Buzz Bocher is a founding board member who has supported WisCorps since its inception. A retired environmental studies professor from UW–La Crosse, he is passionate about hands-on conservation work and connecting young people with the outdoors.
- Board Member
Barb is a school counselor and yoga teacher passionate about mental health, mindfulness, and conserving the Driftless Area's natural spaces.
- Board Member
Stacey Everson, Ed.D., brings 35+ years in education leadership, fostering learning, wellness, community connection, and environmental stewardship.
- Board Member
Amy DuPont is an award-winning journalist featured on CNN, FOX, and CBS News and a UW–La Crosse graduate. Now Creative Media Manager at Kwik Trip, she brings storytelling expertise and creativity to her work and community.
- Board Member
Lauren Cordy is a UW–La Crosse marketing graduate and graphic designer. A former Central Conservation Marketing Fellow, she remains passionate about creativity, community, and connecting people with the natural beauty of the Driftless Region.
- Board Member
Wade is a retired agricultural lending and sustainability leader with deep roots in La Crosse and a passion for the outdoors. Learn more about his experience, connection to conservation, and love of hiking, biking, fishing, and backpacking.
Together, let's unify the conservation movement.
Your generosity strengthens the systems that make conservation work possible. Today and for generations to come.
Frequently asked questions
What does Central Conservation do?
We provide shared administrative infrastructure, strategic leadership, and operational support to conservation organizations. That includes HR and payroll, communications and fundraising, accounting and reporting, and insurance and compliance.
What are Central Conservation’s divisions?
WisCorps, a conservation corps serving the Upper Midwest, and The Nature Place, a nature-focused community center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Central Conservation, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 27-0774779). Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
How can I support Central Conservation?
Give online through our donation page, or contact us to talk about other ways to help.
Are you hiring?
Open roles are listed on our Careers page.
Where are you located?
789 Myrick Park Drive, La Crosse, WI 54601.