What is science-based restoration?

Core Staff

Jimmy Budiac

Forester and Restoration Specialist

Jimmy grew up in South East Wisconsin on an old farmstead where he learned to enjoy the solitude and serenity of the world outside. He grew with hunting, fishing, and camping as core family activities but also shredded the gnar, skateboarding and snowboarding as much as possible. He attended UW-Stevens Point and graduated with a B.S. in Forestry-Ecosystem Restoration and Management. Soon after, he left to travel and work seasonally around the country and the globe. He has held many titles, but his passion for trees and their connection to the world above, and below, has persisted, even in the coldest of places. 

Jimmy is a DNR Cooperating Forester, Certified MFL plan writer and NRCS Technical Service provider.

Outside of work you will likely find Jimmy working on something else, or finally taking a break to get back to shredding the gnar or playing a little cigar box guitar.

Evelyn Williams

Restoration Ecologist

Evelyn is a restoration ecologist with a background in conservation genetics. Evelyn first got a taste of natural resource management working at Itasca State Park in Minnesota and as a student at Carleton College working in the Cowling Arboretum. She received her Ph.D. in Botany at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where she studied fern genetics and demography in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Following that, she worked at the Chicago Botanic Garden on diverse conservation projects, including studying the importance of diversity in prairie restorations. Her work on prairie restorations has been published in journals like the Journal of Applied Ecology and Basic and Applied Ecology.  Evelyn is excited to bring her research experience to Adaptive Restoration’s projects.

When not at work, Evelyn enjoys hanging out with her family and two dogs, cross-country skiing (rollerskiing if she has to!), and finding the best French fries around.

BRYANT LUHMNAN

LAND STEWARD & RESTORATION SPECIALIST

Bryant grew up on a small hobby farm in southern Wisconsin where he spent a lot of time outdoors and grew interested in hunting and wildlife.  He studied wildlife ecology at the College of Natural Resources at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and holds a B.S. in Conservation Biology and Zoology from University of Wisconsin-Madison.  His previous experience includes interning with the Empire-Sauk Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts where he restored and maintained high-quality prairies and oak savannas. This helped him to better appreciate Wisconsin's native flora, fauna, and habitats in general and increased his interest in the field of habitat restoration.  

Bryant started with Adaptive Restoration as a seasonal intern and worked his way up to managing restoration and wildlife habitat on several hundred acres. These lands include prairie remnants, restored prairies, savanna, wetlands and woodlands.

In his free time Bryant enjoys hunting, hiking, reading, fishing and birding.

CHRISTOPHER BARRY

Forester and Restoration Crew leader

Chris’ love of Wisconsin’s incredible outdoors began at a young age. He first became interested in ecology and restoration work while learning from his grandfather in the North Woods. His interest grew while attending and working at a camp in the North Woods where he helped design and teach an environmental education program.  Thanks to these experiences at a young age, Chris majored in Environmental Studies while at UW-Madison. A summer internship with the Madison Audubon Society at Faville Grove Sanctuary in Lake Mills led him to realize that his passion for the outdoors was best fed by the hands-on work that restoration ecology, prescribed burning, and forest management offers.

Chris has postgraduate training in forestry and is a DNR Cooperating Forester, Certified Plan Writer, and NRCS Technical Service Provider.

When not at work, you’ll most likely to find Chris spending time with his daughter, skiing, fishing, camping, discovering new food, and playing bass. 

BRAD KOLHOFF

RESTORATION & WILDLIFE SPECIALIST

Brad Kolhoff brings 15 + years of resource management experience to Adaptive Restoration. Brad grew up in Florida, and earned his undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies from Florida Gulf Coast University. Following graduation, he worked as an intern for Florida Audubon at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary; Brad's responsibilities included resource management and environmental education. Following his internship, Brad worked for the State of Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) as a Wildlife Biologist for nine years.

The love of a great woman brought Brad to Wisconsin; he's taken to the "frozen north" like a fish to water! Brad has worked for Adaptive Restoration since moving to Wisconsin in 2017.

Brad enjoys time with family and friends, fishing, hunting, and natural history (particularly birding, botanizing, and field herpetology). Brad also gets stoked for camping/hiking/backpacking, paddling, wildlife art, and photography.

DAVE LAUFENBERG

Restoration Ecologist

Dave grew up alongside the headwaters of the Sugar River near Pine Bluff, Wisconsin and attended university at UW - Madison. Following graduation, he headed west and began a decade long affair with the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Dave guided students of all ages and backgrounds in the Park, studied the restoration of a high country pine tree, and completed graduate school at Montana State University in Bozeman. In late 2022 he returned home to be closer to family and work on the restoration of their farm lands. Dave began work as a Restoration Ecologist for Adaptive Restoration in November 2023.

When not at work, Dave can be found working on his family farm or skiing, trail running, fishing, and hiking.

Eliza soczka

Assistant Crew Leader

Eliza spent her childhood exploring the great state of Wisconsin with her family. Their adventures together sparked her love for nature and environmental awareness for all. Eliza graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Conservation Biology, and a minor in Integrated Studies in Science, Engineering, and Society. During her junior year, she received the Hilldale Undergrad Research Fellowship and spent the next two years undergoing an independent research project with the Damschen Lab, investigating spatial and temporal patterns of seed deposition in encroached tallgrass prairie ecosystems. After experiencing the academic and research side of conservation, Eliza joined Adaptive to apply what she learned to the hands-on restoration work to give back to the land.

When not working, Eliza enjoys taking care of her plants, foraging for morrels and puffballs, making new meals for her family and friends, and hiking around the great Northwoods.

Jacob Kunze

FORESTRY AND RESTORATION Specialist

Jacob grew up in a small town in west central Wisconsin where learning to hunt and fish at a young age sparked his interest in conservation. Jacob went on to study Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. During the summers, he volunteered on elk calf searches and black bear surveys out of the Black River Falls DNR office. He then interned for the Wisconsin DNR Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation out of Alma, Wisconsin. During this internship he worked at state natural areas in the West/Central region of the Bureau, with a focus on managing vegetation and wildlife in remnant bluff prairies along the Mississippi River. His appreciation for those ecosystems further drove Jacob towards pursuing an ecological restoration career. 

Jacob has always loved the Driftless region in Wisconsin, and working at Adaptive seemed like the perfect opportunity to come back and learn more about the landscape.

When not working, you can find Jacob hunting, fishing, on the golf course with friends, or just hanging out with his wife and two pets. 

Jack Diederich

Forestry and Restoration Specialist

Jack grew up in Belleville, Wisconsin, where his love for the outdoors began at a young age. Jack grew up hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. These passions led him to pursue a degree in Wildlife Ecology and a minor in Sustainability from UW-Madison, where he graduated in the spring of 2023.

While interning for a summer at Blue Mound State Park, Jack’s interest in botany and local flora grew. This is when he began looking toward the ecological restoration field for work.

Marybeth barker

Forestry and Restoration Specialist

Marybeth grew up for the first half of her life in a tiny town in Nebraska, moving to Washburn, Wisconsin at age twelve. She spent her teenage years exploring forests, swimming in Lake Superior, and snowboarding during the Wisconsin winters.

Marybeth studied conservation biology, environmental studies, and sociology and UW-Madison, and graduated in May 2022. After graduating, Marybeth moved back up north to work as a biological science technician at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore; leading a project that monitored invasive emerald ash borer in the park’s vast ash tree stands. She went on to spend a year doing restoration work and native landscaping in southern Wisconsin, and joined the Adaptive Restoration Seasonal team in March of 2023

In her free time Marybeth enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, reading, and writing. She is especially interested in plant and insect identification, and is always excited to learn about a new species.

carolyn keck

Forestry and Restoration intern

Carolyn grew up exploring the forests, prairies and water bodies of southeast Wisconsin. She studied Biology at UW-Madison with minors in environmental science and public health.

After graduation, Carolyn moved to the Colorado Front Range where she fell in love with forestry and chainsawing on an Americorp conservation crew. After returning to Wisconsin, she reconnected with the landscape while working on a regenerative farm in the Driftless Area. Carolyn is excited about learning restoration ecology techniques with Adaptive Restoration.

In Carolyn’s free time, she enjoys live music, dancing, skiing and being on the water.

Megan Berg

Forestry and Restoration Specialist

Megan grew up in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, constantly camping, hiking, and exploring the Driftless area. She studied Conservation Biology at UW-Madison with a certificate in Environmental Studies. Since graduation, she pursued a capstone certificate in GIS.

After graduation, Megan worked as a prairie restoration intern with The Prairie Enthusiasts, where she grew her interest in local flora and protecting local prairies and their endangered wildlife.

When not working, Megan enjoys reading, watching good movies, playing ultimate frisbee, or hanging out with friends, family, and her cat.

Grace Nelson

Forestry and Restoration intern

Grace, in her 19 years of life, has always enjoyed being outdoors and in the Wisconsin wild. From climbing trees and making soup out of flowers as a kid, to being a seasonal employee for Adaptive Restoration and getting to visit all sorts of natural areas in the Southern Wisconsin area as a young adult. She currently attends Michigan Technological University and studies physics and astrophysics while also appreciating the natural beauty of the Upper Peninsula.

In her spare time, Grace enjoys going to the gym and running, skiing, listening to and finding new music, reading, and exploring the wide expanses of nature in the U.S. with her friends and family.

Brooke Waterman

Forestry and Restoration intern

As a child, Brooke spent years living in Colorado, England, Delaware, and Ohio.  No matter where she lived, she always felt at home in nature.  Brooke graduated with a B.S. in Biological Sciences and minor in Spanish from Wright State University, and then worked seasonally on conservation, avian research, and organic farming crews throughout the U.S.  She is interested in the intersections between land stewardship, wildlife conservation, and climate solutions.  She is excited to deepen her connection to Wisconsin’s plants, animals, and habitats while expanding her skillset at Adaptive Restoration.

When not at work, Brooke enjoys playing outside with her dog, hiking, cycling, paddling, and watching Brewers baseball.

Breanna Connors

Forestry and Restoration intern

When Brea was very young, she was a pretty princess who didn't like getting mud on her dresses. Somewhere along the way she found a love for climbing trees, getting dirty, and looking for any little critters she could find. She has since worked with locally sourced food production organizations such as the farm to table restaurant Campo Di Bella, and community supported agriculture at Crossroads Community Farm.

Brea is now a sophomore at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities studying fisheries, wildlife, and conservation biology. She spends her spare time hanging out with friends, kayaking, camping, gardening, or exploring rural areas in Wisconsin. 

Megan Raddatz

Forestry and Restoration intern

Megan Raddatz grew up in New Berlin, WI, and most of her time was spent camping and ATVing. With so much of her time dedicated to being outdoors, she knew she needed a job that could allow her to continue to be outside. This was when she applied to the Univerity of Wisconsin Stevens Point (UWSP) for a Forestry degree in Ecosystem Restoration and Management. At UWSP she helped conduct prescribed burns and went to the island of Hawaii to engage in research projects and assist with invasive plant removal. The experiences she gained there led her to a summer job in Two Rivers as a Habitat Restoration Intern where she planted many trees and removed invasive species on the preserve. Megan is so excited to grow her knowledge working at Adaptive Restoration this summer. When Megan isn’t working, you can find her camping or tossing around a frisbee in her ultimate frisbee league.