Staff of the Nature Center- 2008

Asta Spurgis is the Center's Executive Director.  She co-founded Friends of Eagle River Nature Center, Inc. with Carole and Dick Lloyd in 1995.  Asta was the Center's Manager for eleven years, managing the day-to-day operations of the Center, including program development,  funding development,  public relations, and budget management.  You can write to her at info@ernc.org

Ute Olsson is the Nature Center's Chief Naturalist.  She holds a Master of Forestry from Duke University and an MS in Forest Ecology from Colorado State University.  She has extensive experience in laboratory work and fieldwork in topics ranging from forests and soils to snow and water quality.   You can reach her at naturalist@ernc.org

Louise Preyer is our Operations Manager. She has been a part of the Nature Center since 1999, assisting in all aspects of the Nature Center's work including visitor services, volunteer coordination and administrative functions.  You can reach her at admin@ernc.org

Doris Ivory and Giselle Bergeron are the Center's on-call/substitute naturalists.  

Board Members

2008    Carl Lundgren, Chairman,  Bill Barron, Kevin Dee, Bob Fisher,  Eric Fjelstad, Scott Girard, Dan McDonough, Al Meiners, Gail Raymond, Rob Sackerson, Keith Sanders, Julie Saupe, and Susan Spyker  Patricia Jordan, Secretary.  Officers:   Sarah Wright, Treasurer;  Asta Spurgis, President,  Louise Preyer, Vice-President and Ute Olsson, Vice-President.

2007    Carl Lundgren, Chairman, Al Meiners, Bob Fisher, Scott Girard, Dan McDonough, Mark Merrill, Gail Raymond, Rob Sackerson, Keith Sanders, Julie Saupe, Susan Spyker, Ed Thompson,  and Eric Fjelstad.   Patricia Jordan, Secretary.  Officers:   Sarah Wright, Treasurer;  Roy Corral, President (through August 2007) and Asta Spurgis, Vice-President.   Asta Spurgis, President (9/07), Louise Preyer, Vice-President (9/07) and Ute Olsson, Vice-President (9.07)

2006    Carl Lundgren, Chairman, Dick Barnhart, Al Meiners, Bob Fisher, Scott Girard, Dan McDonough, Mark Merrill, Dawn Patience (through August 2006), Gail Raymond, Rob Sackerson, Keith Sanders, Julie Saupe, Susan Spyker, Ed Thompson, Edwin Wollert (through August 2006) and Eric Fjelstad (new, August 2006).   Patricia Jordan, Secretary.  Officers:  Janet Toenes, Treasurer (through August 15, 2006)  Sarah Wright, Treasurer (beginning August 15, 2006), Brian Goodman (President through August 2006); Carole Lloyd, Vice-President (passed away on 5/14/06) and Asta Spurgis, Vice-President.

2005    Carl Lundgren, Chairman; Dick Barnhart; Al Meiners; Bob Fisher; Scott Girard; Dan McDonough; Mark Merrill; Dawn Patience; Diane Pleninger; Gail "Texas" Raymond; Keith Sanders; Lizette Stiehr;  Ed Thompson and Edwin Wollert.  Patricia Haley, Secretary; Officers:  Janet Toenes, Treasurer; Brian Goodman, President; Carole Lloyd, Vice-President; and Asta Spurgis, Vice-President.

2004    Carl Lundgren, Chairman; Al Meiners; Bob Fisher; Paul Laird; Dan McDonough; Mark Merrill; John Paskievitch; Dawn Patience; Diane Pleninger; Gail "Texas" Raymond; Keith Sanders; Bonny Sosa; Lizette Stiehr; Edwin Wollert.   Doug DeVries, Secretary.  Officers:  Janet Toenes, Treasurer;  Dick Lloyd, President; Carole Lloyd, Vice-President and Asta Spurgis, Vice-President. 

2003    Dick Lloyd, Chairman; Bob Fisher; Dick Griffith; Paul Laird; Chris Lundgren; Mark Merrill; Diane Pleninger; Keith Sanders; Bonny Sosa.   Dough DeVries, Secretary.  Officers:  Janet Toenes, Treasurer;  Dick Lloyd, President; Carole Lloyd, Vice-President and Asta Spurgis, Vice-President. 

2002    Dick Lloyd, Chairman; Jeff Brand, MD; Dick Griffith; Paul Laird; Chris Lundgren; Mark Merrill; Bonny Sosa; Sarah Wright.  Doug DeVries, Secretary.  Officers:  Janet Toenes, Treasurer;  Dick Lloyd, President; Carole Lloyd, Vice-President and Asta Spurgis, Vice-President. 

2001    Dick Lloyd, Chairman; Carole Lloyd; Andy Bickford; Jeff Brand, MD; Dick Griffith; Paul Laird; Chris Lundgren; Mark Merrill; Bonny Sosa; Sarah Wright.  Doug DeVries, Secretary.  Officers:  Janet Toenes, Treasurer;  Dick Lloyd, President; Carole Lloyd, Vice-President and Asta Spurgis, Vice-President. 

2000    Dick Lloyd, Chairman; Carole Lloyd; Asta Spurgis; James Barnes; Jeff Brand, MD; Dick Griffith; Paul Laird; Chris Lundgren; Mark Merrill; Bonny Sosa; Sarah Wright.  Doug DeVries, Secretary.  Officers:  Janet Toenes, Treasurer;  Dick Lloyd, President; Carole Lloyd, Vice-President and Asta Spurgis, Vice-President. 

1999    Dick Lloyd, Chairman; Carole Lloyd; Asta Spurgis; Dick Griffith; Jim Gorski; Paul Laird; Pam Sievers; Bonny Sosa. Bob Hardy, Secretary.  Officers:  Janet Toenes, Treasurer;  Dick Lloyd, President; Carole Lloyd, Vice-President and Asta Spurgis, Vice-President. 

1998    Dick Lloyd, Chairman; Carole Lloyd; Asta Spurgis (Secretary); Dick Griffith; Jim Gorski; Paul Laird; Pam Sievers; Bonny Sosa; Sue May, Secretary.  Officers:  Janet Toenes, Treasurer;  Dick Lloyd, President; Carole Lloyd, Vice-President and Asta Spurgis, Vice-President. 

1997    Dick Lloyd, Chairman; Carole Lloyd; Asta Spurgis; Dick Griffith; Lois Bettini;  Debra Brown; Linda Boggs; Jim Gorski;   Sue May, Secretary.  Officers:  Janet Toenes, Treasurer;  Dick Lloyd, President; Carole Lloyd, Vice-President and Asta Spurgis, Vice-President. 

1996    Dick Lloyd, Chairman; Carole Lloyd; Asta Spurgis (Secretary); Dick Griffith.  Officers:  Janet Toenes, Treasurer;  Dick Lloyd, President; Carole Lloyd, Vice-President and Asta Spurgis, Vice-President. 

Special Program Presenters

2008:    Andy Anderson-Smith, Richard Pellesier, Scott Girard, Chris Erickson, Jeff Medkeff,  Peter Olsson, Bob and Ann Fisher, Liza Sanden, Verna Pratt, Diane Pleninger, Blanche and Jim Tinius,  Rick Sinnott, Deb Ajango, Doris Ivory, Giselle Bergeron, Dela Grey, Kathy Tarr, Julie Gindor, Beth Baker,  Lilly Goodman, Andy Sorensen, Dominique Collet, Bob Nichols, .......

2007:    Andy Anderson-Smith, Richard Pellesier, Scott Girard, Chris Erickson, Jeff Medkeff,  Peter Olsson, Bob and Ann Fisher, Liza Sanden, Verna Pratt, Diane Pleninger, Blanche and Jim Tinius,  Rick Sinnott, Deb Ajango, Doris Ivory, Giselle Bergeron, Dela Grey, Kathy Tarr, Julie Gindor, Beth Baker, Cara Wardlaw-Bailey, Lilly Goodman, Andy Sorensen Julie Udchachon, Dominique Collet, Bob Nichols, Cheryl Gardener, Dean Littlepage, Nancy Lord, and Lori Trummer. 

2006:  Andy Anderson-Smith, Richard Pellesier, Scott Girard, Chris Erickson, Jeff Medkeff,  Peter Olsson, Bob and Ann Fisher, Liza Sanden, Verna Pratt, Diane Pleninger, Blanche and Jim Tinius,  Rick Sinnott, Deb Ajango, Edwin Wollert, Doris Ivory, Giselle Bergeron, Dela Grey, Kathy Tarr, Julie Gindor, Beth Baker, Carl Johnson, Roy Corral, Cara Wardlaw-Bailey, Victor Bailey,Lilly Goodman, Andy Sorensen Julie Udchachon, Dominique Collet, Lilly Goodman, Jennifer Adleman and Lori Trummer. 

2005:  Andy Anderson-Smith; Erin Schneider; Richard Pellesier; Scott Girard; Chris Erickson; Jeff Medkeff; Dr. Peter Olsson; Paul Hanis; Dick Grifftih; Bill Sherwonitt; Bob and Ann Fisher; Liza Sanden; Verna Pratt; Diane Pleninger; Chris Maack; Chris Riggio; Blanche and Jim Tinius; Dr. Grant Harris; Edwin Wollert; Beth Baker; Lori Trummer; Deb Ajango; Cara Wardlaw-Bailey; Brad Fidel; Carl Johnson.

2004    Deb Ajango; Erin Schneider; Julie Udchachon; Richard Pellesier; Scott Girard; Chris Erickson; Pete Panarese; Dr. Peter Olsson; Mary E. Anderson; Paul Hanis; Dick Griffith; Shawn Lyons; Bill Sherwonit; Bob Fisher; Verna Pratt; Diane Pleninger; Kevin Siegrist; Doug DeVries; Susan Dunsmore; Lilly Goodman; Pam Wolff; Roy Corral; Balnche and Jim Tinius; Sandra Skaggs; Edwin Wollert; Robin Dublin; Lori Trummer; Cara Wardlaw-Bailey; Brad Fidel; Carl Johnson.

2003    Mary E. Anderson; Verna Pratt; Brent Voorhees; Erin Schneider; Cara Wardlaw-Bailey; Dr. Peter Olsson; Bill Sherwonitt; Dr. Paul Joslin; Bird Treatment and Learning Center bird educators; Richard Pellessier; Andy Edelen; Scott Girard; Jim Egger; Chris Erickson; Richard Baranow; Jayme Mack; Pete Panarese; Diane Pleninger; Blaine Smith; Deb Ajango;Will Marshall; Liza Sanden; Paul Hanis; Blanche Tinius; Kendra Coloff; Carl Johnson; Carl Lundgren; Dick Griffith; Owen Hughes.

Resident Summer Volunteers/Natural History Interpreters

2008    Bob Nichols (School Naturalist), Sally and Pete Dufek, Nancy and Tim Mosman, Amanda Schmidt, Lisa Saxton, Ginny and Walt Smith, Mike Allison (trails)

2007    Abigail Gundlach, April Conway, Bob Nichols, Nyangabo Musika, Danielle and Joe D'Augustino, Albert Kao, and Christine Cole.  

2006    Karen Kaye, Russell Mitchell, Megan Parrish-Dudley, William Ragan  (Ginny & Walt Smith - Spring), Tony Wright (September and October 2006)

2005    Megan Parrish, Karsen Winslow, Yoko Miyamoto, Patty and Bernie Filzen, Katie Hammons (Ginny & Walt Smith - Spring)

2004     Ginny and Walt Smith; Bill Ritz and Don Young

2003     Larry and Hilde Martin; Patricia Smoothwater; and Carole Beauclerk

2002     Louise Preyer; Carole Beauclerk; Bob Grossman; Lynn Carey; and Treva Clark.

2001     Louise Preyer; Aimee Zipf; Mary Anderson; and Patricia Haley. 

2000     Amy Beth Katz; Louise Preyer; Trysh Womack and William Marshall.

1999     Nicole Makris; Amy Walstad; Ross Tyree; Liza Sanden; and Brad Fidel.

1998     Kate Bronwen; Charles Langelier; Frank Quinn; Dawn Bragg; and Whitney Anderson.

1997     Christylee McCarthy; Scott Kunkler; Megan Doherty; and Dani Cook.

1996     Mary Davis; Scott Kunkler; David Tam; and Robert Whipple.

Winter Resident Caretakers

2008-2009   Dani Mazzotta and Michael Gustafson

2007-2008    JoAnn and Francis Jackson, Paul Hanis - trails and grounds

2006-2007     Paul Hanis- winter caretaker, trails and grounds

2005-2006     JoAnn and Francis Jackson; Paul Hanis-trails and grounds

2004-2005     JoAnn and Francis Jackson; Paul Hanis-trails and grounds

2003-2004     Emily Fee and Shawn Martin

2002-2003     Jill and Mark Freer

2001-2002     Paul Hanis

2000-2001     Louise Preyer

1999-2000     Trysh and Bryan Womack

1998-1999     Christylee McCarthy

1997-1998     Frank Quinn   

1996-1997     Christylee McCarthy

Local Volunteers

If we have missed your name, please let us know.

2007-08    Marge Brehm, Dick Griffith, Sandy Skaggs,  Lee Thomison, Milt Cooper; Jo Baron,  Brian Goodman, Jeannie Woodring,  Dave Rogers, Sarah Wallner, Penny and Al Meiners, Dean Davidson, Eddie Wieland & US Coast Guard and Airforce Volunteers, Elders, Drew Vanden Dries, Joan Wilson, Michele Showers, Benji Uffenbeck, Shayne Riley, Jim Tinius, John Eldred and the BP Projects Driectorate Employees, Mary Jude Hayes, ......

2006    Lee Thomison, Milt Cooper; Cara Wardlaw-Bailey; Marge Brehm; Dick Griffith; Penny and Al Meiners; Paul Hanis; Cathy Rodgers; Carl Rodgers; Mike Graves; Marcia Valenzeno; Joseph Skutca; John Stumper; Eric Giberson;  Sandra Skaggs;  Doug DeVries; Elaine Thomas; Deb Ajango; David Lee; Dave Rogers; Jeannie Woodring; Taryn Maynard; Meredith Levinson; Sarah Wallner; Kristen Bednarczyk; Patricia Jordan; 

2005    Lee Thomison, Milt Cooper; Cara Wardlaw-Bailey; Marge Brehm; Dick Griffith; Al Meiners; Paul Hanis; Carrie Moyer' Stefani Farris; Stephanie Cook & Family; Stephanie Baker & Family; Cathy Rodgers; Carl Rodgers; Mike Graves; Marcia Valenzeno; Joseph Skutca; John Stumper; Eric Giberson;  Sandra Skaggs;  Megan Doherty; Richard Mauser; Lloyd Shanley; Linda Knox; Amy Katz; Doug DeVries; Elaine Thomas; Deb Ajango; David Lee; Dave Rogers; Jeannie Woodring; Penny Meiners; Brad Purinton; Kristen Bednarczyk;

2004     Dave Rogers; Milt Cooper; Marge Brehm; Doug DeVries; Dick Griffith; Linda Knox; Lauren Knox; Megan Doherty; Paul Hanis; John McCormick; Bonnie Foster; Sandy Skaggs; Dick Barnhart; Craig Walters; Frank Bogardus; Mary Blenkush; Paul Hanis; Susan Dunsmore; Elders of Eagle River; Penny and Al Meiners; Eagle River Rotary Gardeners; Lee Thomison; Bonnie Foster; Sandy Skaggs; Jason Mercer; Linda Knox; Vic Knox; Will Marshall; Doris Ivory; Elaine Thomas; Richard Mauser; 

2003    Milt Cooper; Doug DeVries; Dick Griffith; Kevin Siegrist; Bonnie Foster; Sandy Skaggs; Dick Barnhart; Craig Walters; Frank Bogardus; Mary Blenkush; Paul Hanis;  Susan Dunsmore; Elders of Eagle River; Penny and Al Meiners; Eagle River Rotary Gardeners; Lee Thomison; Dave Rogers; Will Marshall; Janet Wachsmuth

2001     Milt Cooper; Doug DeVries; Dick Griffith; Kevin Siegrist; Cara Wardlaw-Bailey; Dave Rogers; Mary K. Heidelbach; Mary Hayes; Dean Littlepage; Gary Wheeler; 

2000     David Lee; Dave Rogers; Cara Wardlaw-Bailey; Mary K. Heidelbach; Frank Bogardus; Kevin Siegrist; David Dolese; Doug DeVries; Chris Lundgren; Dick Griffith; Pam Baker; Richard Baranow ; Bill Walker; Blanche and Jim Tinius; Dani Cook; Mark Longden; Gary Laursen, PhD; Verna Pratt; Bill Sherwonitt; Richard Pellesier; 

1996    Linda and Mike Birtles; Sherry Bradley; Lois Bettini; Linda Boggs; Vera Cuper; Cathie and Bob Dawson; Doug DeVries; Robert Hardy; Doris Ivory; Robin Kilchrest; David Lee; Dean Littlepage; Shirley Marpe; Sue May; Karen Outtrim; Lew Reed; Carole Shearer; James Tranthane; Sue Wirth; Maren Zieba; Jeannie Woodring;  Marcia and Bill Wakeland; Patty Bliss; Kathy and Winton Voetman; Frank Wesser; Al Meniers; Chip Dennerlein; Mary Davis; Robert Shipley; Debra Brown; Larry Hartig; Dick Griffith; Janet Toenes; Chris Crossin; Andy and Rebecca Sorensen (designed Nature Center logo); John Wenger; Mary Buczek; Mike McDonald; Kris Stoehner; Kris Spencer; Amanda Willcox; Stu Loren; Linda Bruce; Fran Forpahl; Owen Hughes; Dave Delap; Dave Dolese; Robin Hopper; Gale Raymond; Verna Pratt; Michael Fastabend: Ramunas Sirvelis; Suzanne Walker; Kirsten Dixon. 

In Memorium

Andy Sorensen (1959-2008) Andy was a talented artist, graphic designer, photographer and naturalist who designed the Nature Center's logo and conducted guest programs on snowflake photography and painting nature.

Carole Lloyd (1942-2006) Vice-President, co-Founder and Chief Naturalist of Friends of Eagle River Nature Center from 1995 to May 14, 2006.  Carole was the quintessential naturalist.  With a love for all things wild, Carole or "ANT" Carole as children referred to her, inspired thousands of people with her gentle, yet passionate way. 

Richard "Dick" Lloyd (1944-2004)  President, co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Friends of Eagle River Nature Center, Inc. from 1995 to August 22, 2004.  Dick was a vital and instrumental part of the Eagle River Nature Center's success.  He was an avid birder, amateur mycologist, architect, engineer and journeyman carpenter with boundless energy and enthusiasm. The nature center was his passion and he is missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.  

Dr. Dave Dolese (1918-2002)  David Dolese or "Doctor Dave" as everyone at the nature center fondly called him was a volunteer from 1988-2002.  He never complained about the work he did.  He picked up trash along the trails, shoveled snow, painted and did whatever needed doing.  Had he not become a physician, he most certainly would have chosen to be a naturalist.  His son Tom said that "He was enthralled by nature....and had boundless enthusiasm for the natural world."  He is sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.