Meet Our Staff

Eagle Bluff is what brought Colleen to Minnesota almost 10 years ago after growing up in Ohio. Being outside with her two dogs and husband, Tony, is just about her favorite thing to do! She enjoys cooking and eating (especially the wild game they hunt), playing yard games, and spending time on the Root and Mississippi Rivers.

Fun Fact: Colleen once spent 26 nights during the winter sleeping outside in a quinzee.

Doc came to Eagle Bluff back in the days when it was called the Forest Resource Center!  After growing up in northern IL and spending a few years in WI (UWSP, WI-DNR, and Fort McCoy) he arrived here, working with his future wife Maggie and about 6 other staff.  Doc enjoys hunting, fishing, sports of all kinds, and coaches baseball for Fillmore Central.  Maggie and Doc have 3 children, 3 dogs and 3 horses…. not a lot of time for many other adventures!

Fun Fact: Doc was part of the staff that got to shovel snow out of the dorm when it was being constructed.

Erinn trekked across the vast state of Wisconsin to join the Eagle Bluff staff. Most recently, she has worked for the WI DNR and a couple non-profits in Oregon. Off the bluff, she can be spotted exploring the driftless region via kayak, hiking boot, or binocular with her two dogs.

Fun Fact: Her favorite camping spot lies within Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge in Lakeview, Oregon.

After graduating from Macalester College, Henry first came to Eagle Bluff in 2017 as a member of the E.E. Fellowship program, before transitioning to E.E. Mentor and now Adult Education Manager. Hailing from Wisconsin, Henry enjoys canoeing, bird watching, watching sports (including his beloved Packers), and socializing with friends.

Fun Fact: Henry has seen the hit NBC show The Office more than any human on Earth.

Whether it was visiting Eagle Bluff as a 5th grader, being an E.E. Fellow in 2011, or working in her current role as a permanent education staff member, Jenna has always enjoyed every facet of Eagle Bluff! Outside of work, Jenna can often be found reading, relaxing, snacking, and drinking her beloved Diet Pepsi. She also greatly enjoys Minnesota’s summer lake culture to the fullest and is an avid slalom water skier.

Fun fact: Jenna’s outfits are ALWAYS colorfully coordinated.

Jeremiah went to school in Preston Minnesota and is planning to get trained in wood carving and carpentry. He also plans to learn some blacksmithing it the future.

Fun Fact: He loves to read, cook and play most types of board and video games. 

Joe has worked in nonprofits for over a decade. Prior to Eagle Bluff he worked in sales/marketing/development for housing and animal rescue organizations. Joe and his wife have two dogs, two cats, three chickens, and two human children. They moved to Lanesboro from St. Paul in the fall of 2018 and love living in beautiful Bluff Country!

Fun fact: Joe’s youngest child was born on the side of the road in rural Fountain, MN with Joe playing the role of delivery doctor.

Marty was born and raised in the area. He started at Eagle Bluff in 2016. In his spare time he likes outside activities. Hiking with his dog, shredding some single track on a mountain bike, fly fishing the Driftless and out West to name a few. He has a case of wanderlust and loves to travel. He also likes to restore, ride, and just look at old/classic motorcycles.

Fun Fact: A personal goal of Marty’s is to visit a new National Park or Wilderness area each year. It’s been over a decade since he has missed a year.

Nate grew up on a farm in SE MN where he spent a lot of his youth bunting and fishing. He has a wife and three kids. He has an AS in Law Enforcement.

After graduating from Winona State University, Sheila started at Eagle Bluff as part of a position through the Americorps program in the Fall of 1995. In her spare time she enjoys biking, hiking, yard work, and spending time with her yellow lab Journey.

Fun fact: One day when Sheila was in kindergarten she got off the school bus and her stocking cap blew from MN into IA.

Sue has lived in Southeastern Minnesota her entire life.  Sue graduated from Winona State University and after 30 years in Human Resources at a local medical facility, retired and found a great home here.  She loves all sorts of nature-y things and feels right at home. When she’s not working, Sue loves hunting morel mushrooms, raising Australian Shepherd puppies, kayaking, working in her flower beds, crafting, cooking/baking and laughing with her kiddos.

Fun fact: Sue completed the ropes course (once) ten years ago….with much needed encouragement along the way:)

Mason spent his childhood living around the globe and in various states in the US but now considers Minnesota his home. Following his graduation from Lafayette College in Easton, PA in 2018, his acceptance into the Fellowship Program at Eagle Bluff is what ultimately led him to the beautiful Driftless Region. A summer spent working for the Conservation Corps in the Northwoods also contributed to his desire to return to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. You’ll most likely find Mason playing pickle ball in Lanesboro on warmer days or scaling  EB’s climbing wall on colder ones.

Fun fact: at 6’5″ tall, Mason is the 2nd tallest staff member at Eagle Bluff.

After growing up in the Twin Cities, Luke spent over a decade working as an environmental educator in six other states around the country before relocating to southeast Minnesota. Off the bluff, Luke may be found gravel biking, cross-country skiing, eating baked goods, or hanging out with his dog Gettah.

Fun fact: Luke learned how to whistle at age 26 while trying to imitate the song of a northern cardinal.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Brent went to Wolf Ridge ELC in 2015 as a member of the Naturalist Training Program.  After spending the last three years in Seattle, WA he joins Eagle Bluff as a Fellowship & Camp Manager. Hailing from Wisconsin, Brent enjoys reading, running, playing board games, yard games, gardening, curling, practicing the mini accordion, watching sports (including his beloved Packers), and socializing with friends.

Fun Fact: Brent has never broken 200 in bowling.

Alayna was born and raised on Lake Minnetonka Minnesota, attended college on the shores of Lake Superior at Northern Michigan University, and now lives just a couple blocks from the Root River. She loves fresh water! Her passion in life is introducing young children to the outdoors. She has her degree in Early Childhood Development and has taught in various settings for the last 15 years. She loves to spend time with her family, traveling, practicing and teaching yoga, fly fishing, hiking and cooking local, fresh foods! 

Fun Fact: Alayna’s family owns a fly fishing shop, Root River Rod Co, in Lanesboro, MN.

Mary has always had a love for animals and the outdoors, she grew up running through the woods and reading field guides for fun. Mary has a B.S. in Biology from the University of Minnesota and a certificate in Environmental Education from Antioch University. She worked as a member of the Naturalist Training Program at Wolf Ridge ELC in 2019. Mary enjoys being outside and relaxing with her dogs.

Fun fact: Mary accidentally taught her dogs the mushing commands for “left” and “right” backwards.

OW OW! After graduating from Luther College in 2017, Andy immediately began adventuring. He moved to Utah to work for the Conservation Corp, then became an educator living aboard the schooner Roseway in the Virgin Islands and New England, then moved to the Southeast to return to working in environmental conservation, and now has found his way to Eagle Bluff. Hailing from Goodhue, MN, Andy enjoys playing and watching sports, reading, listening to music, hiking, canoeing, and anything else that gets him outside.

Fun Fact: Andy does not eat condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, dressing, etc). Go team.

Mary grew up in Iowa and after graduating from Iowa State University with a major in Animal Ecology, Mary came to Eagle Bluff as one of the new Environmental Education Fellows. Mary enjoys hiking, reading, playing cards, traveling, being a plant mom, and cooking delicious (and sometimes suspicious looking) meals. Ow Ow.

Fun Fact: Wombat poops are cube shaped. While this is technically not a fun fact about Mary, it is something she thinks everyone ought to know.

After graduating from Coe College, Hailing from Bailey, Colorado, Ryley finds satisfaction in canoeing, running, pulverizing clay targets, hunting, fishing, and reading. Ow Ow

FUN FACT: Ow Ow is my life mantra.

GG grew up in Central New York and went to college on Keuka Lake. One of her favorite outdoor activities is running. She is also very crafty and enjoys painting different types of birds. GG’s favorite bird is the green heron because of its unique call. 

Interesting Fact: GG can lick her elbow.  OW OW!

Joel is from the La Crosse area and loves exploring the outdoors and building relationships with people. Prior to Eagle Bluff he worked in church ministry, sales and marketing and helped raise funds for a new church. Joel and his wife Ashley have 4 children 10 and under. They currently live in Bangor and love the Driftless Region. 

Fun fact: His two youngest children are identical twin girls born at 36 weeks an hour apart and were the same weight…5lbs and 7 oz. 

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Alex spent a year at the Aldo Leopold Foundation as a Land Steward fellow learning to restore and manage natural ecosystems. After spending the last three years between Beloit/Baraboo/and Platteville, WI  working in land management, he joins Eagle Bluff as a Environmental Education Fellow excited to share his passion and knowledge of the environment with others. Hailing from the dark depths of the ocean, Alex enjoys reading, hammocking, playing board games, archery, long walks in the woods, cooking, playing video games, camping, and not getting caught in the rain. Ow-ow. 

Fun Fact: Alex is slower then a bear. 

Gretchen grew up in Woodbury, MN and is a huge fan of the Minnesota State Fair. Gretchen graduated from St. Olaf College with a degree in biology. She enjoys hanging with the other fellows and loves a spontaneous dance party. Gretchen is a huge fan of cute animals, sunsets and quoting movies.

Fun Fact: Gretchen leads the Eagle Bluff staff in the number of sloth items she owns.

OW OW!

Ana (more commonly known at the Bluff as Furn!) grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 2020 before making the move to Minnesota. She enjoys reading in the sun, watching shows with friends, drinking obscene amounts of iced coffee, keeping spiders as pets, and making the absolute best breakfast burrito on Eagle Bluffs’ campus.

Fact: She was once knocked briefly unconscious by a flying fish (ow ow)

After growing up all the way in Istanbul, Turkey, Doruk came to the United States for college. They graduated from Vassar College in May 2022 with a double major in Drama and Biology with a focus on Ecology. They decided to join the Eagle Bluff Fellowship program to help inspire kids with the love of nature and outdoors. They also hope to learn more about and connect with the Driftless Area through the unique perspective of someone from a whole different continent and are excited to meet new people from all around the area.

Fun Fact: Doruk has acted in 4 commercials and a few episodes of a sitcom back in Turkey, they even have an IMDB page! 

After graduating from the University of La Crosse in Spring of 2022, Emilie decided to continue her love for education in an area that has always felt like home; the Driftless. Rooted and raised in Wisconsin, Emilie is excited to foster her skills and knowledge about environmental education as a member of Eagle Bluff’s fellowship program. She enjoys experimenting in the kitchen (most meals turn out good), hiking & exploring new areas, crafting, biking down big hills, playing and listening to music, and reading (especially cuddled up next to her dog Louie).

Fun fact: Emilie’s lifelong dream is to sleep on a cloud.

Emma grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from Cornell University with a degree in biology. With a background in outdoor education, she is excited to explore the Driftless and further her teaching skills as an Environmental Education Fellow. In her free time, Emma enjoys hiking, trail running, and cross country skiing.

Fun fact: Emma played the role of a napkin in her 5th grade school musical.

Joe is a proud Georgian through and through. After graduating from the University of Georgia in 2022 (go dawgs), Joe decided to ditch 35 degree winters to teach in the beautiful state of Minnesota. You can usually find him watching an irreverent comedy show, attempting to finish a book, or running around playing sports with his friends (despite him declaring his disdain for running). He also enjoys live music, playing piano, and fishing!

Fun fact: Joe and his father were both hit by separate school busses within the same week (zero injuries!)

After graduating from Carthage College John spent a year building up his environmental education credentials. John is a certified Wisconsin Master Naturalist. After spending time in Southeastern Wisconsin John decided to come to Southeastern Minnesota. He joins Eagle Bluff as an Environmental Education Fellow excited to give students all Eagle Bluff has to offer. Hailing from the wilds of Northern Illinois John enjoys, swimming, biking, hiking, camping, archery, cliff jumping, watching movies and reading a good book. John can often be found sitting beside a warm campfire.

Fun fact: Fun fact: John has been cliff diving in the waterfalls at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Paige is from the great city of St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from Coe College in 2022 and joined Eagle Bluff after spending the summer working in the boundary waters. She loves being outside, especially if it includes playing ultimate frisbee. She also loves reading, writing, canoeing, making up random songs, and going on adventures.

Fun fact: Paige is inspired by Kronk from the Emperor’s New Groove and believes that singing your own theme music while doing daily activities is a necessity.

Riley grew up in Portland, OR. From an early age they were often outside catching snakes, salamanders, and frogs with their dog and sister, or skiing starting at 2 with their family up on mount Hood, to camping along the Oregon coast. Along with a love for the outdoors grew a love of sciences, eventual graduating from Macalester College in 2022 with a Biochemistry major and biology and geology minors. Riley played on Macalester’s varsity water polo team and continues a love of team sports playing basketball, ultimate frisbee, football, and more with staff members. Riley also loves filling their free time with cooking and playing games with friends.

Fun fact: Riley has a pet frog (Australian green tree frog) named Lola.

Clare is originally from Madison, Wisconsin, but has a deep love for Minnesota after living in the state for the past several years! She graduated from Macalester College in 2022 with majors in Educational Studies and American Studies, and a minor in Environmental Studies. In her free time she enjoys biking, reading, playing music with friends, learning the cello, and spending time in any cozy coffee shop she can find!

Fun fact: Clare has a history of getting stranded at unfortunate times by her beloved but dramatic car Raela, including in a snow storm, in the Mall of America parking lot, and while she was moving between states.