Sarah Johnson - Executive Director
Sarah grew up in Illinois, spending summers in Wisconsin's Northwoods. She attended the U of Illinois and the U of Minnesota, with a Bachelors in History and Masters work in Environmental Education. Sarah came to the Discovery Center as an Ornithology Intern; and later worked as Program Director. After leaving the Center (but staying involved as a volunteer and as a board member), Sarah enjoyed a couple of years working from home and raising a young family. Her experiences included co-managing a business with her husband; and operating the FYI Northwoods Newspaper. The paper is a community-oriented piece, delivered free to all residents in the northern Lakeland region. This opportunity provided for Sarah the chance to get to know the Northwoods more intimately, and included frequent communication with residents, service organizations and businesses. She is grateful to be back at the Center, dedicating herself to an organization with an ethic of care for our Northwoods environment and communities. Sarah enjoys yoga and running, fishing and birding, spending time with her family, outdoors and in all seasons, and watching Wisconsin's beloved GB Packers. sarah@discoverycenter.net

Licia Johnson - Naturalist/Educator
Licia joined the Discovery Center team in spring 2007 as a seasonal Environmental Educator. In December 2007 she was appointed permanent naturalist/educator. Licia graduated from Carroll College in Waukesha, WI in May 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Conservation and Geography. Following graduation, Licia taught environmental education in WI before heading west to WA where she was an Outdoor Environmental Education instructor at a YMCA Camp, later becoming their program director. A native of the Northwoods, Licia returned to teach others and help them gain an appreciation for this amazing part of the world! In addition to teaching environmental education and public programs, Licia is the coordinator of sales/retail, interpretive trails, and has played an active role in developing the Center’s school-based EE program. She also cares for the Center’s resident critters including fish, salamanders, caterpillars, butterflies and our resident mascot “Flash” the ferret. When not at work, Licia enjoys reading, crafting, stamping, skiing and anything that gets her outside! licia@discoverycenter.net

Beth Meyer - Bookkeeper/Administrative Support
Beth Meyer and her husband Howie moved to the Northwoods from the Chicago area in 1993 . Before joining the Discovery Center team in April 2007, Beth worked as a bookkeeper for a couple of local businesses and was for many years a Realtor with Headwaters Real Estate in Presque Isle. For the past two years, Beth has been the secretary of the World Championship Musky Classic - a trophy-only tournament that attracts some 700 anglers to the area every September and raises thousands of dollars of scholarship funds for local school students. Beth's husband Howie is a professional fishing guide - despite our best efforts to pry information out of her, Beth refuses to give up any details about Howie's favorite fishing spots. But she does have a few tips of her own she may be willing to share! Beth loves her work at the Center - especially the contact with our donors and volunteers. beth@discoverycenter.net

Terry Sexton - Property & Facilities Manager
Terry joined the Discovery Center team in July 2008 initially to assist with grounds maintenance. Terry now enjoys the many opportunities he has to contribute to improving the Center's buildings and grounds, especially in an environment that stimulates his creativity. He takes great pride in the recent improvements at the Center - in his words: "…my greatest reward will be the enjoyment of all visitors who appreciate spending time at the Center". Terry graduated from Gateway Technical College in Elkhorn WI, with an Associates Degree in Mechanical Design. He also completed some post-grad work through the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Terry and his wife Julie relocated to Presque Isle in 1999, when they purchased the Carlin Club Lodge, where for three years, Terry was head chef and business manager. The Sextons both love the outdoors - especially here in the Northwoods. terry@discoverycenter.net

Carrie Stiegler - Administrative Support
Carrie is originally from Ironwood and has lived the past thirty years in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She recently moved back to the Northwoods and lives in Presque Isle. She received her undergraduate degree in Zoology from Oregon State University, and continued her naturalist education at the Friday Harbor Lab in Friday Harbor, Washington. Carrie has two children. Her son, Seppi, is a student at Denver University, and a member of the NCAA championship ski team. Her daughter, Resi, is an Olympian and a member of the U.S. Ski Team. When not on alpine or cross-county skis, Carrie enjoys adventure travel, mountaineering, road biking, reading, writing, and floating the Chain of Lakes. carrie@discoverycenter.net

Ryan Wahlgren - Grounds/Trail Coordinator
Ryan grew up in Boulder Junction, and has spent the last six summers building docks and decks on and around the Manitowish Chain (with the exception of 2008). During the summer of '08, Ryan spent time on the Kenai peninsula chasing giant rainbow trout and king salmon. He enjoys the outdoors as much or more than any man up here, and is an avid musky and walleye fisherman, and tournament angler. If you see him around, feel free to pick his brain on everything fish-related, and he is sure to give you some good advice. Ryan took the job here because he loves to see a great place for the kids to expand their outdoor experiences and education. He is beautifying the Center so people will want to come back time and time again. Ryan is excited about being a part of the team, and is looking forward to the future growth of the Center!! ryan@discoverycenter.net

Zach Wilson - Naturalist / Woods and Waters Coordinator
Zach graduated from Northland College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Outdoor Education & Natural History in 2000. He was the Program Director and Wilderness guide for Lake Trails Base Camp in Lake of the Woods, MN for 4 years, and has also traveled to 15 countries learning about environmental issues, organic faming practices and culture. Before joining the Discovery Center in 2002, Zach decided to move back to his home town and practice the philosophy of "Acting Locally and Thinking Globally". He strongly believes in community and integrating the natural world into everyday life. In addition, to his responsibilities as Staff Naturalist, Zach serves as the coordinator for the Woods & Waters project that involves high school students from Mercer and Hurley, studying the ecology of the fisher and common loon. zach@discoverycenter.net

Meet Our Team...

Krysten Hintz - Enviromental Education Intern
Krysten joined the Discovery Center team as a summer naturalist in the summer of 2009. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point December 2007 with a major in Environmental Education and minor in Captive Wildlife. During college, Krysten worked as a summer educator for the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN. Following graduation she also worked for REGI in Antigo, WI as a bird care technician and rehabilitator. She is passionate about wolves and raptors and enjoys plant identification. Outside of work, Krysten loves to hike, bike, canoe, and kayak. She also loves to read, draw, and craft.

Hannah Uher-Koch - Timber Wolf/Birding Intern
Hannah Uher-Koch will be searching for birds and researching Timber wolves this summer. She is attending Northland College in Ashland, WI and will graduate this December with a degree in Outdoor Education – Natural History. She is an avid outdoor enthusiast. Her favorite adventures include an arctic canoe trip, backpacking the Superior Hiking Trail, and horseback riding. In the past, Hannah has worked as a Wilderness Trip Specialist at Camp Northwoods and a Horseback Riding Specialist for Camp Manitowish. Recently her pursuits took her to Juneau, Alaska where she was introduced to bird research. Now Hannah has caught the fever and would like to share some time with volunteers who would like to join her in the wee hours of the morning identifying birds by the sounds of their voices. If you are an early riser or ornithology enthusiast please call her at the center or email her at hannah@discoverycenter.net.

North Lakeland Discovery Center P.O. Box 237 ~ Manitowish Waters, WI 54545 Toll Free: (877) 543-2085 welcome@discoverycenter.net