‘Engaging private woodland owners to encourage sustainable forest management.’
Extension Forestry Educators lead classes and build programs to engage landowners in the sustainable management of Wisconsin’s privately owned forests. Efforts to reach out to landowners include Learn About Your Land; WI Women Owning Woodlands; Farm Forest Initiative; Your Land, Your Legacy; and new landowner engagement. Sign up for our eNewsletter to stay up to date on our offerings.
Bill Klase
Natural Resources Educator
Bill Klase is a Natural Resource Educator providing educational programs and materials to woodland owners throughout the state.
Prior to joining Extension Bill sepnt time in the US Army and in the Peace Corps in Nepal. As a graduate student he taught undergrads how to use forestry tools and navigate the woods.
Lauren Larsen, PhD
Natural Resources Educator
Lauren Larsen is the Natural Resources Educator in Forestry for the northwestern region of Wisconsin. Lauren designs and delivers outreach and education to family forest landowners and supports the implementation of the DNR Division of Forestry’s Private Forestry Education and Outreach Strategy.
Lauren began her role at Extension in 2020. Prior to joining Extension Lauren worked as a Research Assistant at Utah State University evaluating private landowner management strategies to reduce wildfire risk. Prior to this, she worked as a Research Assistant at North Carolina State University assessing private landowner attitudes and willingness to manage forestland for cellulosic biomass production.
Tony Johnson
Natural Resources Educator
Tony is a Forestry Outreach Specialist and Maple Syrup Project Manager in the Division of Extension’s Natural Resources Education Program. He is focused on building partnerships and facilitating programs to support private woodland owners across Wisconsin.
Before starting with Extension Tony worked for the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) implementing Farm Bill conservation programs in WI. He has previously served as a Natural Resource Specialist for the US Army Corps of Engineers in Oregon and a Research Technician for the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service in Madison, WI. Prior to his tenure with the federal government, Tony worked as an ecological restoration technician throughout WI and IL.
Kris Tiles
Natural Resources Education Program Manager
Kris Tiles is the Program Manager of the Regional Natural Resources program. She has been working as a Natural Resources educator with Extension since 2004. Kris’ work covers the areas of forestry outreach to woodland owners and water quality improvement through soil health. She has been part of the team leading a program of broader outreach called Learn About Your Land, for new and beginning woodland owners. She has also worked with communities to facilitate dialogue around sense of place and the environment.
Prior to joining Extension in 2004 Kris worked for Cooperative Development Services working with private forest owners. She also worked for Oregon State University as a researcher looking at spotted owl habitat and in the Peace Corps as an agroforestry volunteer in Haiti.