Our Story
Founded in 2006, our initial goal was to provide science-based restoration plan development and consulting. As clients requested assistance with implementing restoration plans, Adaptive Restoration expanded to provide on-the-ground ecological restoration services. This included land stewardship, prairie establishment and maintenance, invasive species management, ecological surveys and inventories, outreach and education, and forestry. In 2009, we acquired BioLogic Environmental Consulting LLC, furthering our ability to provide restoration services. Our team has decades of experience and training in natural areas management, and we have graduate-level expertise in environmental science, agroecology, and forestry. We share a commitment to working hard, improving the land, and advancing the science and practice of ecological restoration, land stewardship and forestry.
Hidden in this photo is our headquarters, nestled in the hills, prairies, savanna, and woodlands of Springdale Township, Dane County, Wisconsin, about 20 miles from Madison.
What is science-based restoration?
Long ago, a fellow business owner shared one of the secrets of her success. “You can’t manage it if you don’t measure it,” she said. Although this concept isn’t new or the end-all of business management, measurement of our business operations, of our restoration results, and of our effect on the planet are all very important to us.
Measurement and observation are also central to the scientific method, and to addressing the unknowns of this world. How could we develop hypotheses without first conducting a little observation?
We believe observation and measurement are not just key aspects of tracking restoration progress, but should also be used to help guide future restoration decisions. In this sense, careful measurement allows us to “adapt” our restoration actions to the unknowns and unique components of your project.
We’re a new company, and we are still trying to sort out what it means to be science-based, but here are a few guiding principles that we’ve been using.
When possible or relevant, incorporate the scientific method into business operations and services.
Stay current on the scientific literature in our field, and incorporate new information and processes into our operations.
Participate in and attend scientific meetings related to restoration, forestry, wetlands, invasive species, and other areas where we claim “expertise”.
Maintain a culture of innovation, thoughtful inquisition, and results-based decision making.
Core Staff
MIKE HEALY
PRINCIPAL ECOLOGIST
Mike brings over 25 years of restoration and land stewardship experience to Adaptive Restoration. As lead ecologist, Mike plans and implements our restoration projects, from prescribed burns to native plant establishment. Additionally, he conducts native plant surveys, ecological assessments and wetland delineations. Prior to moving to Wisconsin, Mike served for five years as the Naturalist for the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA), where he helped manage a park and planned and presented educational programs for over 10,000 visitors each year.
Mike holds a M.S. in Environment and Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a B.S. in Environmental Science and Biology from Dickinson College. His graduate research focused on wetland restoration, native plant establishment and invasive species management. This work is published in Restoration Ecology, Invasive Plant Science and Management, and the Natural Areas Journal. Mike has over 15 years of prescribed fire leadership experience and his wildland firefighter training includes completion of The Nature Conservancy's Crew Boss and Engine Boss Academies.
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.
MICHAEL MONAHAN
Shop manager
A Madison, Wisconsin native, Mike always enjoyed the outdoors and from a very young age, loved fire. Mike began his career in wildland fire with the United States Forest Service in the Carson National Forest. After a couple of years working with the Carson Hotshots in New Mexico, Mike took a position as an Engine Crew Member and Senior Firefighter at the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, Boulder Ranger District in Colorado. With years of experience in wildland fire under his belt, Mike returned to Wisconsin in 2008 and took a position with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, first at the Leopold Wetland Management District and then at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. These positions provided him significant experience with prescribed fire and the process of restoration.
In fall 2014, he started with Adaptive Restoration. Mike brings with him a great deal of wildland and prescribed fire knowledge. He is a skilled sawyer. Mike is dedicated to the principles of restoration ecology and truly enjoys contributing to the process of returning the land back to the way it once was.
When he is not working, Mike’s passion for the outdoors is apparent; he can be found camping, hiking, canoeing, and cross country skiing with his wife, Laura, his two kids, Sophie and Liam, and his dog, Murphy.
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.
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.
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.
Alex Brehmer
Forestry and Restoration Specialist
Alex grew up in Waunakee, Wisconsin where his interest for the outdoors began. At a young age, his passion for fishing and hunting flourished. Alex is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he majored in wildlife ecology with a minor in biology. He gained valuable experience working with the Minnesota DNR as a wildlife intern.
Alex's is excited to experience and explore the savannas, woodlands, and prairies of southwest Wisconsin and to continue to gain knowledge in the field of ecological restoration.
Andy Kristan
Forestry and
Restoration
Intern
Andy grew up In Waunakee, WI. After finishing high school, he spent a few years as a hunting and fishing guide outside Ashland, WI. His love of the woods was strengthened through this experience. After a few years of guiding, he relocated back to Dane county and followed his loved of trees, doing arboriculture for nearly eight years. Andy decided to return to school at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point to pursue a career as a Forester.
He previously worked for the US Forest Service on the Chequamegon National Forest before starting with Adaptive Restoration in March of 2025. Andy's "niche" is wildlife habitat, specifically for deer and upland game birds.
Sam Anderson
Forestry and
RESTORATION
iNTERN
Sam grew up in Duluth, Minnesota and spent most of his summers camping and fishing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. These experiences helped him develop an interest in resource management and conservation work, which was aided by his time as an intern for two summers with the 1854 Treaty Authority.
Sam is attending UW-Madison where he is majoring in Environmental Science while pursuing certificates in Environmental Studies and American Indian Studies. When not at work, Sam enjoys camping, golfing, and fishing. He is very excited to gain more valuable experience in the ecological restoration field while at Adaptive.
Zach Gloudeman
foRESTRY AND
RESTORATION
iNTERN
Zach grew up along the Lower Wisconsin River, where he spent his childhood hunting, fishing, and camping with his family. That love of the outdoors led him to discover the writings of Aldo Leopold and William Cronon, inspiring his interest in conservation. He is currently working towards a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and a certificate in Science Communication at UW-Madison. As a student, Zach has developed a deeper interest in many different aspects of ecology, including ornithology, botany, disturbance, and restoration ecology. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, reading, and attending live music.
Lilyann ogDEN
foRESTRY AND
RESTORATION
iNTERN
Lilyann grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin but spent a lot of her summer time camping in Northern Wisconsin and the UP with her grandparents. When she was younger she helped raise Monarch Butterfly’s with her mom and Volunteered at the Butterfly Gardens of Wisconsin in Appleton. Lilyann is attending University of Wisconsin-Stevens where she will be graduating next May with a degree in Environmental Science and Management and a Certificate in Fire Science.
Before starting at Adaptive, Lilyann was a Natural Resource Intern for the Chequamegon-Nicole National Forest in Hayward Wisconsin. This experience strengthened her love and interest for natural resource and conservation work. She is very excited to be working for Adaptive this summer and looks forward to learning more about land stewardship and strengthening her plant ID.
