Shari Eggleson
Board Office: President
Resides in: Washburn
Why I joined the BRC: Given a political climate increasingly hostile to environmental protection, acquiring land and conservation easements seem to be the surest way to preserve natural resources.
Professional Background: I worked at the Wisconsin Department of Justice for 30 years, prosecuting polluters all over the state, prior to my retirement in 2008.
Favorite Conservation Quote: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead
Hobbies: Hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, and canoeing
Resides in: Washburn
Why I joined the BRC: Given a political climate increasingly hostile to environmental protection, acquiring land and conservation easements seem to be the surest way to preserve natural resources.
Professional Background: I worked at the Wisconsin Department of Justice for 30 years, prosecuting polluters all over the state, prior to my retirement in 2008.
Favorite Conservation Quote: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead
Hobbies: Hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, and canoeing
Kim Bro
Board Office: Vice-President
Resides in: Washburn
Why I joined the BRC: I am especially attracted to the community-based approach to working with property owners because I have found that, when mutual learning occurs between land owners and environmental experts, land stewardship improves.
Professional Background: I am trained in land and water resources management (M.S. and Ph.D.), and I have managed outreach education re: natural resources for thirty years through the UW Sea Grant Institute, state and federal environmental health and remediation programs and at Northland College as Vice President and Executive Director of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute and as Director of Sustainability.
Hobbies: Hiking
Resides in: Washburn
Why I joined the BRC: I am especially attracted to the community-based approach to working with property owners because I have found that, when mutual learning occurs between land owners and environmental experts, land stewardship improves.
Professional Background: I am trained in land and water resources management (M.S. and Ph.D.), and I have managed outreach education re: natural resources for thirty years through the UW Sea Grant Institute, state and federal environmental health and remediation programs and at Northland College as Vice President and Executive Director of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute and as Director of Sustainability.
Hobbies: Hiking
Bob Durfey
Board Office: Treasurer
Resides in: Bloomington, Minnesota. Part time Bayfield, soon to be full time
Why I joined the BRC: I grew up in Winona, Minnesota on the Mississippi River. There were two valleys we would go to for trout fishing and camping. One of the valleys had a couple of caves high on the bluff we would sit in and look over the valley. I went back there recently to see if I could still find it so I could introduce my grandsons to it. I was greeted by a sign saying something like "Private property. Keep out.". I went to the other valley and found a similar sign. It was sad to see these areas taken away that were once our playground. I became aware of BRC during the campaign to preserve Corny Beach. My partner and I were in the early stages of developing Jackson Meadow, then. I met the Executive Director and visited about BRC's mission and found that my professional and personal interests were aligned with theirs. It was a no-brainer to apply for board membership recently when a position became available and I have more time to devote to the BRC mission.
Professional Background: I am a registered civil engineer in Minnesota.I've been involved in all phases of the commercial and residential construction and development industry for more than forty years. I am a partner in Jackson Meadow Company, which developed a 64 lot sustainable housing community in Minnesota. Jackson Meadow won a 1999 Minnesota AIA Honor Award, a national AIA award for Regional and Urban Design in 2005 and was the 2002 winner for Land Use presented by The MN Environmental Institute.I've worked as a carpenter, engineer, construction superintendent, estimator, construction company owner, real estate developer and currently provides construction management, owner advocacy services and cost segregation studies around the country. I am the Director of Construction Services at EnviroMed Design Group. www.enviromedgroup.com
Favorite Conservation Quote: "Do all you are able to protect it when you can or chance losing it forever" ~ Bob Durfey
Hobbies: Anything water related, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, mushrooming
Animal I most identify with: Tiger
Resides in: Bloomington, Minnesota. Part time Bayfield, soon to be full time
Why I joined the BRC: I grew up in Winona, Minnesota on the Mississippi River. There were two valleys we would go to for trout fishing and camping. One of the valleys had a couple of caves high on the bluff we would sit in and look over the valley. I went back there recently to see if I could still find it so I could introduce my grandsons to it. I was greeted by a sign saying something like "Private property. Keep out.". I went to the other valley and found a similar sign. It was sad to see these areas taken away that were once our playground. I became aware of BRC during the campaign to preserve Corny Beach. My partner and I were in the early stages of developing Jackson Meadow, then. I met the Executive Director and visited about BRC's mission and found that my professional and personal interests were aligned with theirs. It was a no-brainer to apply for board membership recently when a position became available and I have more time to devote to the BRC mission.
Professional Background: I am a registered civil engineer in Minnesota.I've been involved in all phases of the commercial and residential construction and development industry for more than forty years. I am a partner in Jackson Meadow Company, which developed a 64 lot sustainable housing community in Minnesota. Jackson Meadow won a 1999 Minnesota AIA Honor Award, a national AIA award for Regional and Urban Design in 2005 and was the 2002 winner for Land Use presented by The MN Environmental Institute.I've worked as a carpenter, engineer, construction superintendent, estimator, construction company owner, real estate developer and currently provides construction management, owner advocacy services and cost segregation studies around the country. I am the Director of Construction Services at EnviroMed Design Group. www.enviromedgroup.com
Favorite Conservation Quote: "Do all you are able to protect it when you can or chance losing it forever" ~ Bob Durfey
Hobbies: Anything water related, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, mushrooming
Animal I most identify with: Tiger
Nancy Sandstrom
Board Office: Secretary
Resides in: Town of Bayfield
Why I joined the BRC? My sense of place is very strong - and for me that speaks to how the land, forests and water around us are used and tended to. BRC has a history of strong and appropriate land preservation, something that I believe in very strongly. Proud to be associated with such a respected and important organization.
Professional Background: Currently my husband Steve and I own and operation Pinehurst Inn, an 8-room bed and breakfast located just south of Bayfield. For the past 15 years, I have been the primary innkeeper, cook, accountant, gardener and housekeeper. Prior to our move to Bayfield, I worked for a variety of non-profit organizations in both health and environment, working as Executive Director and Marketing Director.
Favorite Conservation Quote: We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. ~ Native American Proverb
Hobbies: Gardening, Hiking, Kayaking, Weaving (actually, much of my weaving is inspired by nature. It's the best place to find colors!).
Animal I most identify with: Wolf
Resides in: Town of Bayfield
Why I joined the BRC? My sense of place is very strong - and for me that speaks to how the land, forests and water around us are used and tended to. BRC has a history of strong and appropriate land preservation, something that I believe in very strongly. Proud to be associated with such a respected and important organization.
Professional Background: Currently my husband Steve and I own and operation Pinehurst Inn, an 8-room bed and breakfast located just south of Bayfield. For the past 15 years, I have been the primary innkeeper, cook, accountant, gardener and housekeeper. Prior to our move to Bayfield, I worked for a variety of non-profit organizations in both health and environment, working as Executive Director and Marketing Director.
Favorite Conservation Quote: We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. ~ Native American Proverb
Hobbies: Gardening, Hiking, Kayaking, Weaving (actually, much of my weaving is inspired by nature. It's the best place to find colors!).
Animal I most identify with: Wolf
Janet Dale
Resides in: Bayfield
Why I joined the BRC? I have always felt supportive of BRC’s mission. Some of my friends were among the founding members.
Professional Background: I worked as an RN for Bayfield County Memorial Hospital in Washburn for 8 years and for Bayfield County Home Nursing Service for 3 years. I also provided care for young children in our home for 17 years. ‘Janet’s House’, a licensed Family Childcare Program was the first in Northern Wisconsin to become accredited by the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association. Together with my husband, we cleared our land, built our home, and over thirty years established a sustainable fruit farm. We produce and sell blueberries, raspberries, honey and maple syrup. In 2003, with support from the town of Bayfield, USDA-NRCS, and BRC, our farm became the first to be permanently protected from non-farm development by a conservation easement under the Bayfield Township Farmland Preservation Program. Currently, we are in the process of transitioning our farm to our three adult children, who all participate in the present operation of the farm.
Favorite Conservation Quote: “When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” ~ Aldo Leopold
Hobbies: Berry-picking, gardening, walking, hiking, canoeing, bird-watching, observing wildlife
Animal I most identify with: Chipmunk
Why I joined the BRC? I have always felt supportive of BRC’s mission. Some of my friends were among the founding members.
Professional Background: I worked as an RN for Bayfield County Memorial Hospital in Washburn for 8 years and for Bayfield County Home Nursing Service for 3 years. I also provided care for young children in our home for 17 years. ‘Janet’s House’, a licensed Family Childcare Program was the first in Northern Wisconsin to become accredited by the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association. Together with my husband, we cleared our land, built our home, and over thirty years established a sustainable fruit farm. We produce and sell blueberries, raspberries, honey and maple syrup. In 2003, with support from the town of Bayfield, USDA-NRCS, and BRC, our farm became the first to be permanently protected from non-farm development by a conservation easement under the Bayfield Township Farmland Preservation Program. Currently, we are in the process of transitioning our farm to our three adult children, who all participate in the present operation of the farm.
Favorite Conservation Quote: “When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” ~ Aldo Leopold
Hobbies: Berry-picking, gardening, walking, hiking, canoeing, bird-watching, observing wildlife
Animal I most identify with: Chipmunk
Grandon Harris
Resides in: City of Bayfield
Professional Background: With a native community, as clergy turned facilitator, on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota I developed (from nothing but an idea and hope) a grassroots manufacturing business to create a meaningful livelihood. In WI, I manufactured architectural plywood--worked with architects and designers, procured special veneers from around the world, and worked with plant employees to see that the job would be set up and manufactured to meet the visual and quality specifications of the customer.
Favorite Conservation Quote: "A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature." ~ Thoreau
Why did I joined the BRC? Care for the Earth and Mother Nature became a prominent part of my life when I lived with Native American people during the 60's and 70's; BRC is the finest organization in the area wherein I can be active and realize significant progress.
Hobbies: Photography, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, gardening
Professional Background: With a native community, as clergy turned facilitator, on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota I developed (from nothing but an idea and hope) a grassroots manufacturing business to create a meaningful livelihood. In WI, I manufactured architectural plywood--worked with architects and designers, procured special veneers from around the world, and worked with plant employees to see that the job would be set up and manufactured to meet the visual and quality specifications of the customer.
Favorite Conservation Quote: "A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature." ~ Thoreau
Why did I joined the BRC? Care for the Earth and Mother Nature became a prominent part of my life when I lived with Native American people during the 60's and 70's; BRC is the finest organization in the area wherein I can be active and realize significant progress.
Hobbies: Photography, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, gardening
Mike Fiorio
Resides in: Rural Bayfield County, 11 miles SW of Ashland.
Professional Background: I am a Certified Financial Planner and together with my two other partners: brother, John, and Eric Neumann, own and operate a financial planning business that celebrates its 25th birthday this year.
Favorite Conservation Quote: “Yet there are those with hand and brain tear down that which time will never give again!!” ~ Source unknown
Why I joined the BRC? I joined BRC because I value wild and scenic places.
Hobbies: Playing about in boats of all sizes and shapes, hiking, hunting, fishing and camping.
Animal I most identify with: The bear
Professional Background: I am a Certified Financial Planner and together with my two other partners: brother, John, and Eric Neumann, own and operate a financial planning business that celebrates its 25th birthday this year.
Favorite Conservation Quote: “Yet there are those with hand and brain tear down that which time will never give again!!” ~ Source unknown
Why I joined the BRC? I joined BRC because I value wild and scenic places.
Hobbies: Playing about in boats of all sizes and shapes, hiking, hunting, fishing and camping.
Animal I most identify with: The bear
Roger Dreher
Resides in: Edina, MN (officially) but in Town of Drummond most of the time
Why I joined the BRC: To help protect precious places in perpetuity. Other protections such as through zoning aren’t permanent. We have so many fragile and important ecosystems and they need to be kept intact.
Professional Background: I have Master’s degrees in engineering and business and has management experience in engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and quality assurance. I also consulted in operations improvement area. I retired in 1998 so he could spend his time on environmental and conservation work. Always interested in environmental and conservation issues, I've held several positions on non profit boards over the past 10 or so years, including the Wisconsin Association of Lakes (director 6 years, secretary 2 years), Bayfield County Lakes Forum (president for 4 years), Cable/Namakagon Historical Museum (currently president), and chair (5 years) and member of the planning committee for the Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference since 1999.
Favorite Conservation Quote: “All ethics so far evolved rest upon a single premise: that the individual is a member of a community of interdependent parts. The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants and animals, or collectively the land.” The Land Ethic (1949), ASCA 204
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, scuba diving, snowshoeing, canoeing.
Animal I most identify with: Otter
Why I joined the BRC: To help protect precious places in perpetuity. Other protections such as through zoning aren’t permanent. We have so many fragile and important ecosystems and they need to be kept intact.
Professional Background: I have Master’s degrees in engineering and business and has management experience in engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and quality assurance. I also consulted in operations improvement area. I retired in 1998 so he could spend his time on environmental and conservation work. Always interested in environmental and conservation issues, I've held several positions on non profit boards over the past 10 or so years, including the Wisconsin Association of Lakes (director 6 years, secretary 2 years), Bayfield County Lakes Forum (president for 4 years), Cable/Namakagon Historical Museum (currently president), and chair (5 years) and member of the planning committee for the Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference since 1999.
Favorite Conservation Quote: “All ethics so far evolved rest upon a single premise: that the individual is a member of a community of interdependent parts. The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants and animals, or collectively the land.” The Land Ethic (1949), ASCA 204
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, scuba diving, snowshoeing, canoeing.
Animal I most identify with: Otter
Al Chechik
Resides in: Bayfield
Why I joined the BRC? To become more involved with the stated mission of BRC
Professional Background: I enjoyed a 37-year career in the broad field of communications, including stints as a reporter for a daily newspaper, public relations director for two state associations and an ad agency and a dash of corporate public relations. A great deal of this experience came at a time when devices called "typewriters"--now regarded as antiques--were popular. I've operated a bed and breakfast in Bayfield since 1996, and served on the Boards of the Big Top Chautauqua and Apostle Islands Area Community Fund, the Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast Association and have served as a facilitator with Regional Hospice, working with people who've suffered some type of loss.
Favorite Conservation Quote: Regarding Land: "Use it wisely...that's all they're making"
Hobbies: hiking, biking...Just enjoying the outdoors
Why I joined the BRC? To become more involved with the stated mission of BRC
Professional Background: I enjoyed a 37-year career in the broad field of communications, including stints as a reporter for a daily newspaper, public relations director for two state associations and an ad agency and a dash of corporate public relations. A great deal of this experience came at a time when devices called "typewriters"--now regarded as antiques--were popular. I've operated a bed and breakfast in Bayfield since 1996, and served on the Boards of the Big Top Chautauqua and Apostle Islands Area Community Fund, the Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast Association and have served as a facilitator with Regional Hospice, working with people who've suffered some type of loss.
Favorite Conservation Quote: Regarding Land: "Use it wisely...that's all they're making"
Hobbies: hiking, biking...Just enjoying the outdoors
Bruce Moore
Resides in: City of Bayfield
Professional Background: I am an environmental engineer/ hydrologist for the Wisconsin DNR, I've been a lifelong advocate of preserving natural habitat, and maintaining a lighter ecological footprint through lifestyle choices. The expertise I bring to the board includes knowledge of stormwater, erosion and water quality control measures and the workings of State and Local agencies that regulate land use.
Hobbies: Native landscaping, wetland restoration, Nordic skiing, kayaking
Animal I most identify with: Nuthatch
Professional Background: I am an environmental engineer/ hydrologist for the Wisconsin DNR, I've been a lifelong advocate of preserving natural habitat, and maintaining a lighter ecological footprint through lifestyle choices. The expertise I bring to the board includes knowledge of stormwater, erosion and water quality control measures and the workings of State and Local agencies that regulate land use.
Hobbies: Native landscaping, wetland restoration, Nordic skiing, kayaking
Animal I most identify with: Nuthatch
Bayfield Regional Conservancy ~ 33 N. 1st Street, Bayfield, WI 54814 ~ 715.779.5263 ~ brc@brcland.org
