Linda Nelson, Chairperson
My interest for the gray wolf was sparked by nature photography books in my early years. The reading of these books led me to many trips to Ely, MN. There, I discovered my first wolf tracks with my kids and was inspired by the endless beauty and learning experiences this landscape had to offer. At the same time, I developed a passion for photography.
Attending workshops from different nature centers in Wisconsin in the mid 90’s introduced me to many of the people still involved with TWIN. Their passion, stories, teachings, and dedication are what intrigued me to learn more and to educate people.
I have been a small business owner since April of 1992 in the Eau Claire area. In 1997, I became a part of the WDNR Volunteer Tracking program. I have learned so many things while conducting tracking and howl surveys. These animals have taught me life experiences. I became a Regional Coordinator for parts of NW WI and the Central Forest to try and mentor, inspire and educate people.
Michelle Somers, Treasurer
My love of the outdoors and wildlife started 11 years ago under the direction of Dick Thiel and his high school independent study program through Sandhill Wildlife Area. The Sandhill high school independent study is where my volunteer work with wildlife and my progression into TWIN and wolf tracking began. I have been wolf tracking and a part of TWIN for 9 years. Being a part of TWIN has allowed me to meet amazing people who share a passion and love for the outdoors and wildlife like I do. It also allows me to relax and leave all the stress of my nursing job and college behind.
Dan Anderson, Secretary
Originally from South Dakota, my interest in nature and the outdoors started when my dad took me pheasant and duck hunting as a kid. While attending college at the University of South Dakota, I spent my summers living and working in Yellowstone Park. I closely followed the debate about the re-introduction of wolves in the Park, which finally happened a few years after my last season there.
My degree and career have been in business. I spent the 1990’s travelling to Asia & Alaska, where I managed franchise operations for Dairy Queen. I was able to explore wild country in Inner and Outer Mongolia , Alaska and Korea. But I also saw the impact large human populations in East Asia can have on wildlife. In 2001 we purchased, and continue to run the Dairy Queen store in Eagle River. Since coming to the Northwoods, my wife Diane and I have been closely watching as the wolf population slowly increased. In 2010 we became volunteer carnivore trackers for the DNR, and have continued to do this every year since. We first attended a TWIN workshop in 2014, and have since assisted with the Trees for Tomorrow workshop.
In addition to my involvement with TWIN, I have spent several seasons doing ruffed grouse drumming surveys and we are active with the Ruffed Grouse Society and the Vilas Area Silent Sports Association.
Chris Giese, Board Member
I came to Central Wisconsin in the late 1970’s to pursue a degree in forestry, which I did, but ended up staying. In the early 80’s I was fortunate to see two wolves crossing a field during winter time in the northeastern part of Portage County. I was hooked. In 1989 TWIN starting offering the study of wolves’ workshops at Treehaven. After being put on a waiting list to attend for several years I got my chance. After that experience I joined TWIN. as a member at large. I also started attending Board meetings where I met people who shared my passion and interest. Shortly after that I ran for the Board of Directors and have served almost continually since 1996. I also joined the DNR Volunteer Tracking program. I had great teachers to learn from in the TWIN leadership.
Flash forward to present day. What I learned from my experiences with TWIN helped me to become a regional coordinator in the tracking program and field tracker for the annual TWIN at Treehaven workshop. I have also been involved in summer wolf howl surveys for the past 20 years. My work life is not in wildlife science but my experiences with wolf monitoring have fed my interest in natural resources. I look forward to continuing my involvement with wolf monitoring for years to come and hope I can inspire you to get involved too.
Steve Meurett, Board Member
The road that lead me to TWIN was snow covered and unblemished, save for the unmistakable string of large canine footprints leading into the distance. Tracking, since my younger years, has always fit well into my love of the outdoors. Tracks and the animals that leave them behind, have fascinated me and I try to spend as much time out among them as possible.
I’ve been a hunter and fisherman, camper and outdoor enthusiast since being introduced to it all over 50 years ago by grandparents and parents. I hold our natural resources in high regard and try to continue learning and discovering as much as I can. After a career in education, I turned to wildlife professionally as a technician with the Ho-Chunk Nation Division of Natural Resources. As a volunteer carnivore tracker previously (and currently), I looked forward to closer engagement with fascinating species like wolves, elk and other wildlife. Tracking, trapping, collaring and monitoring, were all a part of the job-and one I relished. I’ve continued this second career in the Wisconsin DNR Bureau of Wildlife Management working mainly on public lands in the central forest and the Black River State Forest.
After attending a TWIN workshop years ago, I realized their science based outreach was something I was drawn to. With so many players on all sides of wolf management, it was refreshing to have the ecology of this species presented as the core of an unbiased and professional mission. TWIN members are passionate, authentic and knowledgeable with a like-minded enthusiasm for educating others. I’m proud to serve on the board and strive to advance the success of TWIN and to continue cultivating friendships among TWIN members and students of our workshops.
Theresa Simpson, Board Member
For as long as I can remember, I found peace and solace in nature. Nature, be it forest, plain, or mountain, is where I would go to think, to feel, to heal. I have never outgrown my fascination with all God’s creations-flora and fauna-and how intricately the two are entwined.
I entered Oklahoma State University with the intention of becoming a wildlife veterinarian…which wasn’t even “a thing” at the time. My degree in vet medicine changed to a BS in Zoology upon marrying my newly-commissioned army officer husband.
We spent the next 25 years moving every 1-3 years and raising two sons. During a posting in Vermont, I earned an MA in Teaching Biology, with a concentration in forest ecology. We settled in Wisconsin after our 27th year in service, with wolves almost outside our back door…just in time for me to earn an MS in Biology with research examining how Central Forest wolf pack success is impacted by their pack territory habitat quality.
TWIN and its members played a pivotal role in my wolf education and the success of my research. I could not have done it without their help, based on their passion and dedication to their rational perspective and dedication to science-based wolf education. I have spent the past 10+ years assisting with workshops, track-a-thons, and wolf-monitoring fieldwork. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the board.
Flash forward to present day. What I learned from my experiences with TWIN helped me to become a regional coordinator in the tracking program and field tracker for the annual TWIN at Treehaven workshop. I have also been involved in summer wolf howl surveys for the past 20 years. My work life is not in wildlife science but my experiences with wolf monitoring have fed my interest in natural resources. I look forward to continuing my involvement with wolf monitoring for years to come and hope I can inspire you to get involved too.
David Gaunky, Board Member
I cannot remember a time in my life when wildlife was not an interest. My dad took me on my first camping trip when I was four years old. That set me on the path of exploring the natural world, and I have been at it since then. I decided that I wanted to be a Forest Ranger. So, when I got out of the Army, and went to college, I majored in Biology. My goal was to sit in a fire lookout tower by day, looking for smoke and watching wildlife, and sit around a campfire at night, looking at the night sky, and picking the guitar. But life had other plans, although my interest in wildlife and wild places never diminished.
About ten years ago, my wife and I took a tracking class at Sandhill State Wildlife area. We were encouraged to attend a TWiN Wolf Ecology workshop, which we did. Although I still consider myself a greenhorn, in terms of knowledge and tracking ability, it brought me full circle, back to observing wildlife more intently. And TWIN dovetails nicely with my desire to work with an endangered species.
I am also an avid bird watcher. I have seven plus acres of land that is home to an amazing variety of birds. I participate in a number of related activities, such as Project Feeder Watch, The Christmas Bird Count, and I provide data from my observations to Cornell University’s Ornithology program. My wife and I are both excited that we have been able to host a nesting pair of Bluebirds, for several years, out here.
Now that I am retired, working with TWIN is a perfect fit. I have the time to pitch in and help and, in the process, learn more about an amazing keystone predator. I am looking forward to doing both.