Crystal Brown is an ethnobotanist, bio-regional herbalist, educator, and writer/creative, focusing on helping people and communities build relationships with nature through wild edible food and medicinal plants and fungi. She has a background working as a psychiatric mental health nurse with children, adolescents, and adults; as well as experience in healthcare administration. She currently teaches in the Green Bay, Ashwaubenon, and De Pere School Districts and is a staff member of the Clean Water Action Council of Northeast Wisconsin. She is involved in food sovereignty initiatives in the Green Bay area, including the Seymour Park Food Forest and Brown County Community Garden Program. Crystal resides blocks from the Fox River in downtown Green Bay and actively integrates areas of the entire watershed into her seasonal lifestyle, as far north as the headwaters of the Wolf River, where she harvests wild rice in the fall. She joined this advisory committee to advocate for healthy relationships with the Fox River and Greater Green Bay watershed, for all relatives, both human, animal, and plant life.

Kelly Koller is an educator and National Geographic explorer with research and projects centered on youth empowerment, outdoor learning, and conservation. She integrates place-based learning, technology, and storytelling to inspire curiosity and engagement while ensuring inclusive, culturally responsive experiences. Through her work, she strives to foster meaningful connections between students, communities, and the natural world.

Growing up in the mountains of the Carolinas, Paul has always had a great appreciation for the outdoors. Through undergraduate study at the University of South Carolina and a range of internships, Paul came to appreciate the many intersections between social and environmental concerns as well as the importance of engaging all people in ecological conservation. While completing his MS in Natural Resources at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Paul researched the roles and expectations of participants in community conservation programs. Now, as the Conservation Engagement Specialist for the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust, he works to connect members of the community with conservation through public events, group activities, organizational partnerships, and a variety of other activities and opportunities. Through the CAC, Paul hopes to support new ways for community members of all ages to be engaged in conservation, building connections with community groups and organizations while creating opportunities for environmental education and action.

Rachel is a 5th generation farmer and rotationally grazes beef cattle on her farm near New London. She is also an advocate, and works with nonprofits and agency to promote practices that protect our greatest natural resources and communities. The connection between agriculture and our state’s natural resources is something she is passionate about. “Without a diverse and robust agricultural sector and high quality water resources, Wisconsin loses so much that makes it wonderful.”

Jonas Hill is an Oneida Tribal Member. He is currently serving a 3-year term on the Oneida Business Council. He enjoys the Golfing, the outdoors, and spending time with his son.

Heather Cloud, Thunder clan member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, is the founder and Chairperson of Cloud Legacies, Inc. Cloud Legcies, Inc. is a non profit organization dedicated to promoting Indigenous culture and community through education and entrepreneurship. The Community Water Coalition’s (CWC)  initiative perfectly aligns with the nonprofit organization. Heather is an active coalition member to support the project and development of the CWC for current and future generations.

Though not a Wisconsinite by birth, LuTia Vander Velden very quickly and easily fell in love with the landscape and climate of Northeast Wisconsin. She grew up in Dallas, TX, making the big decision to move to Appleton, WI to continue her education. In 2020, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English & minors in Creative Writing and Ancient Greek. She loves to hike in her spare time and is an avid State Park explorer who enjoys visiting Door County and Lake Michigan.

She is currently an Outreach and Communications Specialist, working to improve public knowledge of the great work being done in the Lower Fox River and Green Bay Area of Concern.