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Eagle Bluff

Eagle Bluff

Environmental Learning Center

  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our Staff & Board
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    • Impact & Financials
  • Our Programs
    • New! Virtual After School Programs
    • Nature Preschool
    • Residential Outdoor School Program (K-12)
    • Summer & Family Camps
    • Environmental Education Fellowship
    • Undergraduate J-Term
    • Adult Learning & Continuing Education
    • Team Building Adventures
    • Wildlife Care & Public Outreach
  • Upcoming Events
    • Banquet on the Bluff Fundraiser
    • Dinner on the Bluff Speaker Series
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  • Explore Our Campus
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    • Tree Tops High Ropes
    • Rock Climbing Wall
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    • The Point Conservation Project
    • Other Campus Highlights
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    • Information for Teachers and Group Leaders
    • Information for Outdoor School Parents and Students
    • Information for Outdoor School Chaperones
    • Outdoor School Classes and Curriculum
    • Gift Shop Price List ↪
    • About the Driftless Area
    • What to do if you find injured wildlife ↪
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Meet Our Staff

Meet the Eagle Bluff staff, comprised of a dedicated team of highly-skilled professional educators, naturalists, and administrative support personnel. Each of us committed to creating and outstanding educational experience and meeting the individual needs of each student.

All of our educators have have earned undergraduate degrees or higher in education, science or other related fields, are trained and evaluated in behavior and risk management and outdoor teaching techniques, and have earned or are working toward a certificate in environmental education and certification as an Interpretive Guide.

Colleen Foehrenbacher

Colleen Foehrenbacher

Executive Director

Email: colleenf@eaglebluffmn.org

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 Shoepski

Doc Shoepski

Deputy Director/Director of Operations

Email: docs@eaglebluffmn.org

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 Kronebusch

Erinn Kronebusch

Outdoor School Manager

Email: erinnk@eaglebluffmn.org

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.

Hannah Champeau

Hannah Champeau

Curriculum Coordinator

Email: hannahc@eaglebluffmn.org

Hannah started her love of Eagle Bluff in 2013 when she participated in the E.E. Fellowship program. After leaving, and trying out a few other types of educational pathways, there was still an emptiness in her heart. In 2019 she returned as Curriculum Coordinator and couldn’t be happier. She is an aspiring cat lady (4 as of right now), and a lover of roller skating. She enjoys hiking in the bluffs, searching for wild edibles, biking on the trails, and baking for other people.

Fun fact: My favorite animal used to be a Narwhal but now it is a Narluga. Ask me about it!

Henry Whitehead

Henry Whitehead

Fellowship & Adult Education Manager

Email: henryw@eaglebluffmn.org

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.

Jenna Moon

Jenna Moon

Education Director

Email: jennam@eaglebluffmn.org

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 Grabau

Jeremiah Grabau

Kitchen Assistant

Email: jeremiahg@eaglebluffmn.org

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 Deden

Joe Deden

Grounds Caretaker

Email: joed@eaglebluffmn.org

Joe is a crotchety old fart whose best times are spent out in the woods and restored prairies at The Point. His other favorite activities are plowing snow and mowing lawn. In his spare time his favorite activities are brushing his German Shepard named Sunny who constantly sheds and reading about Teslas on Reddit Tesla related communities.

Fun Fact: Joe has been employed at Eagle Bluff longer than anyone else.

Joe Goetzke

Joe Goetzke

Development & Marketing Director

Email: joeg@eaglebluffmn.org

Joe has worked in nonprofits for almost a decade, most recently in sales/marketing/development for housing and animal rescue organizations. Joe and his wife love animals and have two dogs, three cats, three chickens, and as of November 2019 a human baby. The whole gang moved to Lanesboro from St. Paul in the fall of 2018 and they love living in Bluff Country!

Fun fact: Joe is the tallest staff member at Eagle Bluff.

Marty Johnson

Marty Johnson

Maintenance Manager

Email: martyj@eaglebluffmn.org

Marty was born and raised in the area. He started at Eagle Bluff in 2016. For fun he likes spending time on dirt paths, either in a pair of hiking boots or on a mountain bike. Fly fishing, the mountains, fly fishing in the mountains. Also riding and working on motorcycles, especially vintage Hondas.

Fun Fact: 149, the combined age of his three vintage motorcycles.

Molly Kelly

Molly Kelly

Wildlife and Outreach Coordinator

Email: mollyk@eaglebluffmn.org

Molly was part of the E.E. Fellowship program at Eagle Bluff from 2014-2016 and returned in 2018. In her free time, she can be found exploring the Driftless region with her friends and her pup. When she isn’t outdoors, she enjoys crocheting, baking bread and listening to true crime podcasts.

Fun Fact: Her favorite “co-workers” are the turkey vulture and the skunk.

Nate Grabau

Nate Grabau

Assistant Head Cook

Email: nateg@eaglebluffmn.org

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.

Nathan Rider

Nathan Rider

Cook

Email: nathanr@eaglebluffmn.org

Nathan began his adventure with Eagle Bluff in September of 2018.  He enjoys the creative allowance in preparing our kitchen meals, and loves serving our guests and staff.  Outside of work, Nathan enjoys silence, creating illuminated manuscripts, reading, studying and teaching.  His favorite thing to share with others is a good laugh.

Fun Fact:  Nathan lived clandestinely in a Bohemian forest outside of Prague in 2003.

Sally Jeske

Sally Jeske

Business Manager

Email: sallyj@eaglebluffmn.org

Sally grew up in the Fountain area, married and moved all the way to the Fillmore/Wykoff area to her current beef farm with her husband of many years. She has two married daughters and five grandchildren. Sally was a stay-home-mom and graduated from Winona State as a nontraditional student at age 40 with a BA in Business Management. She has been at Eagle Bluff for 20 years as administrative manager and “the money-lady”. She is active in my church with adult and children’s music, enjoys flower gardening, needlework, quilting, bird watching, leisurely walks and can read all day if the book is good.

Fun fact: Math was Sally’s worst subject in grades 1-12.

Sheila Fishbaugher

Sheila Fishbaugher

Scheduling Manager

Email: sheilaf@eaglebluffmn.org

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, reading, and yard work.

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 Moen

Sue Moen

Gift Shop Manager

Email: suem@eaglebluffmn.org

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:)

Susie Bradley

Susie Bradley

Campus Manager

Virginia Kesler

Virginia Kesler

Head Cook

Email: virginiak@eaglebluffmn.org

Virginia started at Eagle Bluff in 2014. Prior to Eagle Bluff, she started her career at Chosen Valley Skilled Nursing Facility in Chatfield where she worked for eight-and-a-half years in various positions. In 1985 she farmed with her husband, doing so through 2005. She started working outside the farming scene in 2002 in various kitchens as cook and manager. From 2005 thru 2008 she had her own restaurant in Chatfield.  From 2009 through 2014 she worked for Kwik Trip as Assistant Kitchen Manager.

Fun fact: Virginia enjoys spending time with her family and going to her grandkids sporting events

Wade Rentschler

Wade Rentschler

Housekeeper

Not Pictured:

Shayla Gherke

Head Housekeeper

Environmental Education Fellows & Mentors

Addie Motta

Addie Motta

Environmental Education Fellow

Email: addiem@eaglebluffmn.org

Addie joined Eagle Bluff’s Fellowship program after graduating from Loyola University Chicago in 2019. She is passionate about working with animals, especially Eagle Bluff’s birds of prey. Her favorite class to teach is Pioneer Life. When not at work, Addie enjoys visiting national parks, getting Starbucks, and watching The Bachelor!

Fun Fact: Addie’s favorite holiday is Halloween

Elena Santarella

Elena Santarella

Environmental Education Fellow

Email: elenas@eaglebluffmn.org

Elena discovered a passion for the outdoors while gallivanting around the red rocks and foothills near her house in Colorado. She made her way to Minnesota for college, graduating from Macalester College with a degree in Political Science and Environmental Studies. When not pointing out birds to children in Eagle Bluff classes, she loves listening to punk rock, playing frisbee, advocating for the Green New Deal, and laughing loudly.

Fun fact: She has peed on the Argentine side of the Patagonia mountain range.

Emily Thurow

Emily Thurow

Environmental Education Fellow

Email: emilyt@eaglebluffmn.org

Emily grew up in southeast Minnesota just 50 minutes from Eagle Bluff in Winona, MN and went to school at the Unviersity of St. Thomas graduating with a degree in Environmental Studies. She previously worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a Youth Conservation Corps Leader and for the University of Minnesota doing ecology field work before landing the 2019-2020 fellowship position at Eagle Bluff. When away from work Emily enjoys hiking, skiing, family time at the lake, and snuggling with her four dogs!

Fun Fact: Emily loves to lift weights!

Kira Church

Kira Church

Environmental Education Fellow

Email: kirac@eaglebluffmn.org

Kira recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee in 2018. After recieving her degree in Environmental Science she returned home to Minnesota to start working at Eagle Bluff as an Environmental Education Fellow. In her free time she loves to garden, swim in lakes, and go for hikes. She is especially interested in composting and soil.

Fun Fact: Kira likes to dye her hair green!

Mason Keel

Mason Keel

Environmental Education Mentor

Email: masonk@eaglebluffmn.org

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.

Jacqueline Boorom

Jacqueline Boorom

Environmental Education Fellow

Genevieve Giarrusso (GG)

Genevieve Giarrusso (GG)

Environmental Education Fellow

Jill Grime

Jill Grime

Environmental Education Fellow

Jonathon Solt

Jonathon Solt

Environmental Education Fellow

Louisa Mullin

Louisa Mullin

Environmental Education Fellow

Ryder Sammons

Ryder Sammons

Environmental Education Fellow

Samuel Liberman

Samuel Liberman

Environmental Education Fellow

Ty Loiselle

Ty Loiselle

Environmental Education Fellow

Zoe Bakken-Heck

Zoe Bakken-Heck

Environmental Education Fellow

Board of Directors

Ian Scheerer

President

Red Wing, MN

Katie Bauer

Vice-President

Winona, MN

Susan Benysh

Secretary

Rochester, MN

Darrin Herrara

Treasurer

Rochester, MN

John Broadwater

Winona, MN

Charlie Brown

Bay City, WI

Lynn Brown

Bay City, WI

Jeff Burns

Wabasha, MN

Richard Nethercut

Canton, MN

Dennis Schreiber

Rochester, MN

Mike Rapatz

Minneapolis, MN

Jessica Schuler

Farmington, MN

Bethany Krom

Lanesboro, MN

Natasha Yates

Red Wing, MN

Jessica Voss-Kehl

Inver Grove Heights, MN

Austin Bauer

Northfield, MN

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(507) 467-2437

28097 Goodview Drive
Lanesboro, MN 55949

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