Staff
Storme Nelson, Executive Director since 2002, and his wife Dawn live in the woods between Shell Lake and Siren, WI. They have four grown children and three grandchildren. Dawn works as office manager of the new Edward Jones Investments office in her hometown of Siren.
What does it mean to be the executive director of a nature center and sanctuary? Major responsibilities include: guiding the short and long-term plans for Hunt Hill to fulfill the wishes of Frances Andrews (original donor of the property); working with the volunteer Board of Directors; keeping a good working relationship with the National Audubon Society; managing the financial and legal responsibilities of the organization; managing the staff; being the chief public relations person welcoming visitors; speaking to groups; and developing new partnerships with outside organizations.
What I enjoy about Hunt Hill is the peaceful setting; the terrific natural resources; the diverse programs – always something new to learn; the deep concern for our environment; but most of all – the people. This family feeling is what really makes Hunt Hill special – the warmth and caring of our members and staff, the wonderful visitors (so full of questions!); and especially the volunteers who have cheerfully worked so hard for so many years.
Karen Kress, Office Manager As Office Manager I enjoy greeting folks on the phone and as they come into the office. Managing our database that includes information about our members, volunteers, donors and program participants keeps me informed about the people who interact with each other at Hunt Hill. Keeping up with program registrations and sending out information to campers, doing payroll and paying bills, filing, setting up the program guide and newsletters, generating the numbers for the annual report…keeping the office running smoothly are all part of the job. For the last three years I have taken over management of the Nature Store and it is lots of fun browsing through all the possibilities of what to stock and helping folks find what they want in the store.
What I enjoy the most is the dozens and dozens of excited, engaging people who come to enjoy the sanctuary and the programs we have to offer…along with the learning challenges that I come across in this job. The people I work with here – staff and volunteers both – plus the work of maintaining a sanctuary and the opportunity of providing environmental education fulfill my idea of a perfect work environment.
Larry and Colette Piskie, Maintenance, have been keeping Hunt Hill immaculate since the Spring of 2000. Native to Illinois, the couple fell in love with the area and now live on Long Lake 9 months out of the year and then ‘fly south’ for some much needed rest before they return for the busy season.
What does it mean to be the maintenance crew of a nature center and sanctuary? Major responsibilities include: all maintenance work, general cleaning, landscaping, and facilities improvements at Hunt Hill as assigned by the Executive Director and Board of Directors of the Friends of the Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary, Inc.
What we enjoy about Hunt Hill: We welcome the opportunity to work in the outdoors with nature. Both of us enjoy talking with visitors about the special resources available at Hunt Hill. We are continually learning about wildlife and experiencing it firsthand. Being employed at Hunt Hill provides us with an opportunity to grow personally while having a hand in local land and wildlife preservation. We are advocates for the Hunt Hill buildings, lands, flora and fauna. There is great enjoyment for us in the participation of a dedicated young organization as it continues to grow and reach out to more people right in our neighborhood.
Nikki Nelson, Program Director since 2008, is a local from the booming metropolis known as Cameron (!). She currently lives in Sarona with her boyfriend, Dan, and their notorious puppy, Ruger.
What does it mean to be the program director of a nature center and sanctuary? Major responsibilities include: coordinating, planning, promoting, scheduling, conducting and evaluating all programs; hiring and training staff and volunteers; developing yearly program guide with guidance from the program committee; creating educational programs to meet our visitor’s needs; and to welcome guests to Hunt Hill.
What I enjoy about Hunt Hill: The PEOPLE! I work with the most wonderful group of people; staff, volunteers, program participants and resource people. Their enthusiasm, support and overall great attitudes make Hunt Hill such a fun place to work. It also doesn’t hurt that I am in one of the most unique and beautiful places in the whole wide world (no bias).
Summer Staff for 2010 includes:
Head Cook:
Ava Gustafson Ava grew up in Westchester New York and now lives in Spooner Wisconsin with her husband. Her passion for cooking began at age 16 and has continued to grow since then. When she’s not cooking, she enjoys running, camping, fishing and gardening. Eventually she would like to own her own catering company and local market.
Environmental Educators:
Pahoua Lee (LLPA Intern) I’m from Green Bay, WI, and received my Bachelor of Science in English and Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. I’m the 4th youngest of 11 children and I have 4 nieces and 3 nephews. In my free time, I enjoy knitting, crocheting, hiking, camping, and canoeing. I just spent the last 9 months working as a naturalist in a residential outdoor education program in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. There I taught 5th and 6th graders about organic gardening, redwood forests, and marine ecology. I’m excited to return for another season as a Hunt Hill summer educator and as Long Lake Preservation Association’s summer intern! I’m looking forward to seeing campers return from last summer and I’d like to see new faces as well!
Nikki Rukamp I recently completed my first year at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. This fall, I will attend the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, pursuing a degree in wildlife ecology. I call the community of Barron home and graduated from Barron High School in 2009. I have two older siblings, Mike and Christy, who are also in college, and live with my family among the rolling fields of rural Wisconsin.
In high school, I became active in the National FFA Organization and Conservation Club. These two activities helped foster my love for the outdoors. After a short stint of pursuing a degree in the medical field, I realized that my love for the environment was far too strong and decided to change my major. After college and graduate school, I hope to become a Wildlife Biologist and work for the Department of Natural Resources or the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
I love any and all activities that happen in the great outdoors. I particularly enjoy running, hiking, horseback riding, camping (when I get the chance!), kayaking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. I am super excited to spend this summer at Hunt Hill and am looking forward to all of the new experiences! I look forward to meeting everyone and don’t be afraid to come up and chat!
Travis VanBeek I’m originally from Sarona just up the road from Hunt Hill. I’ve recently moved back home from Gainesville Florida. While I was in Florida I went back to school and received a degree in Zoology from the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo. I also have a degree in Mechanical Design from WITC in Rice Lake WI. Some of my hobbies include Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Working on old cars, Paintball, Computers, and hand raising a variety of Reptiles. I worked and volunteered at Hunt Hill for several summers many years ago and enjoyed it so much I thought as long as I was back home I would come out and help again this summer. Im looking forward to the RCMS group from Green Bay. They have always been my favorite group to work with since I started at Hunt Hill and I am glad to see they still come out every year.
Kyle Green My name is Kyle James Green, I’m 19 yrs. old. I’ve lived all over the US. In high school I was in wrestling, cross-country and football. I was a state competitor in Future Business Leaders of America two years. I love to bow hunt as well as fish and hunt. I’m working towards getting my pilot’s license. Currently I’m attending school at Minnesota State University-Mankato. I have two older and two younger sisters and one younger brother. I went to high school at Chetek High. My summers are usually spent working construction with my grandparents in Mille Lacs, Minnesota. After graduation I hope to either get some type of pilot job or travel overseas to pursue a business career. I enjoy running, cooking, and dancing. I’m always excited to try new experiences and can’t wait to get to work this summer!
Park Taylor All winter I have reflected on the great fun we had at Hunt Hill last summer. I look forward to meeting new campers and renewing acquaintances with those who attended last year. When a young person can learn about Nature while being out in the natural world I believe this creates an indelible connection with the environment. I have felt this bond and have bonded with Hunt Hill because I am now happily serving on the board of directors. This summer at camp will be exceptional! See you there.
Summer Staff 2009: L to R – Elizabeth Shmikler, Kyle Green, Ruger, Nikki Nelson, Colette Piskie, Storme Nelson, Park Taylor, Kelly Winum, Ava Gustafson, Pahoua Lee, Karen Kress and Larry Piskie.
Summer Staff 2008: L to R – Storme Nelson, Cody Myers, Bailey Woodruff, Colette Piskie, Larry Piskie, Jessica Pettersson, Nikki Nelson, Jillian Bjorklund, Karen Kress, Amber Mealman, Eric Severson
