Agenda (subject to change)

Agenda (subject to change)

Our Vision

Wisconsin's Green Fire advances science-informed analysis and policy solutions that address Wisconsin’s greatest conservation challenges.

Artwork by Ann Christensen

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All people in Wisconsin and beyond enjoy the benefits of clean water, clean air, and healthy ecosystems achieved through scientific and thoughtful management of natural resources.

Our Mission

Wisconsin’s Green Fire

www.wigreenfire.org

Student membership in WGF is free!

One of our strategic goals:

Supporting New Generations of Conservationists.

WGF seeks to engage and support young people and people from all backgrounds and abilities in conservation and environmental careers and to help tackle tomorrow’s conservation challenges.

https://wigreenfire.app.neoncrm.com/forms/student-membership-form

“To the future young folks of Lowenwood: I wish you all love, hope, happiness, and a long and healthful life. May your understanding of mankind be broadened through your association with and, I am sure, your love of Lowenwood.”

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Jim Lowenstine, May 13, 1965

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Lowenwood Northwoods Retreat

January 5-8, 2026

Bios for Conservation Career Panel – Lowenwood – Wisconsin Conservation Retreat 2026

Casey Baye

Casey Baye is the Property Manager for the Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area under the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Division. He is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (May 2024), where he earned a degree in Natural Resource Conservation Planning and Soil Sciences. Casey brings a wealth of experience from his work as a park ranger with three notable agencies: Peninsula State Park (WDNR), Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (USFS), and Yellowstone National Park (NPS). During his college career, Casey was actively involved in several student organizations, holding leadership roles such as Vice President of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, Treasurer of Ducks Unlimited, and Co-Leader for The Wildlife Society’s Wood Duck Project. He was also a dedicated member of the UWSP Soil Judging Team. Casey’s diverse background reflects a strong commitment to conservation, resource management, and environmental stewardship.

Zach Wilson

Zach Wilson brings over 25 years of experience in forest ecology and wildlife conservation, with a focus on the endangered waabizheshi (American marten). He joined the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission’s Biological Services Division in 2024, where he works with the U.S. Forest Service to strengthen the Tribal–USFS Memorandum of Understanding. His work centers on integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Western science to guide forest stewardship, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience across the ceded territories.

A lifelong student of the woods, Wilson grew up in northern Wisconsin hunting, fishing, trapping, and exploring the forests that shaped his understanding of ecological relationships. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Education and Natural History with a minor in Environmental Education from Northland College.

Before joining GLIFWC, Wilson worked as a Conservation Specialist for the Iron County Land & Water Conservation Department, Senior Naturalist for the North Lakeland Discovery Center, and as a forest ecologist (LTE )for the Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. His experience includes leading community education efforts, bird ecology, invasive species management, water quality, forest ecology, and citizen-science monitoring of forest and wildlife health.

Wilson’s career has taken him to more than 15 countries, deepening his perspective on sustainable land stewardship and the interconnection between people, forests, and culture. He now lives in northern Wisconsin with his wife and three children, continuing to learn from the land and the beings that call it home.

Josh LaPointe

Josh LaPointe directs all RES Field Service operations in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. His experience managing a wide array of projects and his ability to anticipate and implement corrective measures is extremely valuable to RES.

Josh has a vast knowledge of the labor and equipment needs that are required to accomplish project goals on time and within budget constraints along with the scientific principles underlying all restoration activities. His extensive knowledge of all aspects of the restoration process includes site preparation, seeding, planting, invasive species control, and prescribed burning. Josh’s proactive, hands-on approach to project and employee management ensures that RES’ Field Services provides accountable, timely, and cost-effective project results to help clients achieve successful restoration goals.

Josh began working with RES in 2002 as a staff ecologist, managing all hydrological monitoring and reporting while also assisting with vegetative monitoring, wetland delineations, and natural resource inventories. Prior to becoming Director of Construction in 2011 and then Regional Manager of Ecosystem Restoration in 2014, he was a Restoration Project Manager for large- and small-scale restoration efforts throughout the country.

Previously, Josh was a Restoration Associate for the Aldo Leopold Foundation where he managed and restored property around the famous Leopold Shack, located near Baraboo, Wisconsin. A key component of his work was to promote the Leopold land ethic, which is also a fundamental principle RES uses to guide all restoration projects.

Heather Palmquist

Heather Palmquist joined the Iron County Land & Water Conservation Dept in 2008 as a seasonal employee. She was then hired full-time to create an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) program for the county, as well as establish the water quality testing program for the county. In 2013, she was promoted to the County Conservationist/Dept Head. In addition to administration, she runs the Native Plant Sale each year and provides technical assistance to municipalities, farmers, and private landowners on practices to promote soil health and water quality on their property. She received her B.A. in Geography with an Environmental Concentration from UW-Parkside. She has been a lifelong resident of Mercer. In her spare time, she enjoys dog sledding, flyfishing, camping, kayaking, gardening, traveling, and music, to name a few.

Carrie Kissman

Carrie was formally an Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science - specialty aquatic ecology/limnology - at St. Norbert College and is now the Outreach and Station Coordinator at Trout Lake Station. She brings perspectives of working in higher ed at a small liberal arts school, research focusing on human disturbances in lakes and rivers, teaching many conservation based courses, and outreach.

Cheyanne Koran

Cheyanne is a graduate student at the UW Center for Limnology, co-advised by Gretchen and Emily Stanley. Her research focuses on wild rice populations in relation to the hydrology and groundwater flow in the Three Lakes Chain. She also works for the WI DNR, so she can provide a unique perspective of both grad school and agency work.

� 5400 North Black Oak Lake Road� Land O Lakes, WI 54540� Phone: 715-500-5046��

Located in the heart of Wisconsin’s northwoods, this campus was nationally recognized as an environmentally focused private academy.

Conserve School's 1,200-acre (4.9 km²) campus was named Lowenwood by Conserve School's founder, James Lowenstine

History

With the passing of James Lowenstine in 1996, the building of his dream, a school to inspire conservation minded environmental stewards, began. Following the directions Mr. Lowenstine left in the Conserve School Trust the Conserve School Board of Trustees began the initial planning for Conserve School. Mr. Lowenstine directed the Trustees to create a school with a curriculum that would include: instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic, and nature study. The nature study was to include a focus on the ecology of unspoiled forest and lake areas such as Conserve School's Lowenwood campus. In addition the school should include instruction in outdoor sports including skiing, use of snowshoes, archery, ice skating, target practice, swimming, fishing, boating, camping, sledding, methods of survival in unexplored areas, and other outdoor activities.

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From the fall of 2002 until the spring of 2010 Conserve School operated as a four-year college preparatory school. Due to financial concerns, the school switched to a semester school model in the fall of 2010. The decision to transition the school was legally challenged by a group of concerned parents, alumni, and community members, as well as by the Culver Educational Foundation.

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On August 21, 2010 the first semester school semester began with 48 students from 12 different states.

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The final semester of Conserve School finished in June 2020 following the relinquishment to the Culver Academy.

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There are 7 wilderness lakes.

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Amenities

• Gymnasium
• 17 miles of trails
• Camp fire pits
• Summer – Bicycles, soccer field, running track, volleyball, horseshoes

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Visitors use trails for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and skiing. The campus has access to 8 lakes (of which 4 are completely enclosed by school property).

There are five housing units along the Student Path, each containing four wings of suite-style dormitories, as well as 4 apartment sections reserved for staff. Each wing is equipped with a kitchenette ready for minimal culinary activities. Each housing unit is named after a piece of Lowenwood's history, including James, Elaine, Daisy, and Mandell, all of which relate to the founding fathers and mothers of Conserve School, as well as Donahue, a prevailing logging company in the north woods.

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The property has a large photovoltaic array and a “Green Machine” wastewater treatment facility.

We will stay in the Mandell house 5470 Aldo Leopold Ln, Land O' Lakes, WI 54540 (follow the signs)

Accommodations

• Kitchenette –
• Big refrigerator, microwave, small dishwasher
• Bring your own dishes and silverware, napkins
• Hi speed wifi
• Hot showers

Lowenstine’s Hunting and Fishing Museum

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email davisfos@uwosh.edu with questions

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Please take the survey

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