Chequamegon Bay Birding & Nature Festival
Dates: May 21-23, 2026
Location: Ashland, Wisconsin
Thank you to our 2026 Festival Leaders!
Adrian Wydeven, Mammalian Ecologist (retired), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Program: 57
Anne Geraghty, Biology Teacher (retired), Regis High School, Eau Claire. Programs: 36, 54
Ariana London, Park Ranger, Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge: Programs: 9, 20
Arne Martinson, Northern Mushroom Tours. Program: 18
Barb Moldenhauer, Local Birding Expert. Programs: 5, 34, 61
Brad Gingras, Local Birding Expert. Program: 2
Brian Heeringa, Wildlife Biologist, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, US Forest Service. Programs: 19, 51
Brian J. McCaffery, Natural Resources Planner, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Programs: 21, 49
Bruce Bacon, Wildlife Biologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Programs: 4, 27
Clare Hitz, Owner, Elsewhere Farm. Program: 5
Colleen Matula, Forest Ecologist/Silviculturist (retired), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Programs: 1, 25
Carol Becker, Bluebird Expert. Program: 42
Delight Stowell, Local Birding Expert. Program: 1
Eddie Shea, Wildlife Biologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Program: 8
Emily Stone, Naturalist, Cable Natural History Museum. Programs: 10, 11
Eric North, Ecologist, Chequamegon-Nicolet National. Forest, US Forest Service. Program: 16
Erik Bruhnke, Keynote, Tour Leader, Victor Emanel Nature Tours. Programs: 32, 47, 55, 59
Erik Olson, Division Administrator, Treaty Natural Resources Department, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Program: 57
Erika Lang, Conservation Manager, Landmark Conservancy. Programs: 14, 26
Heaven Walker, Educator/Naturalist, Cable Natural History Museum. Programs: 10, 35
Janis Kacvinsky, Owner, Whittlesey Creek Wildflower Farm. Program: 58
Jeff Wilson, Wildlife Biologist (retired), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Program: 26
Jennifer Foley, Bird Banding Assistant. Programs: 31, 52
Jim Bryce, Bird Bander & Consulting Forester, Bryce Forestry LLC. Programs: 31, 52
Joan Elias, Biologist (retired), National Park Service. Program: 56
Joyce Zifko, Fire Management Officer (retired), Great Lakes Bureau of Indian Affairs. Program: 37
Karin Kozie, Park Ranger (retired), Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, National Park Service. Program: 58
Kathy Wendling, Board President, Friends of the North Pikes Creek Wetlands. Program: 54
Larry Weber, Author, Naturalist and Science Teacher, Marshall School. Program: 41
Marisa Lee, President, Wild Ones Chequamegon Bay Chapter: Program: 58
Matt Dallman, Director of Conservation, The Nature Conservancy. Program: 29
Neil Howk, Park Ranger (retired), Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, National Park Service. Programs: Stockton Cruise, 6, 12, 24
Nick Anich, Research Scientist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Programs: 28, 39, 48, 60
Pam Dryer, Assistant Director (retired), Landscape Scale Conservation, U.S. Forest Service. Program: 14
Paula Anich, Local Birding Expert. Program: 40
Peggy Burkman, Biologist, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, National Park Service. Program: 7
Rich Becker, Bluebird Expert, Naturalist. Program: 42
Rick Burkman, Local Birding Expert. Programs: 7, 15, 30, 43, 61
Ruth Oppedahl, Local Birding Expert. Programs: 22, 62
Ryan Brady, Conservation Biologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Programs: 3, 23, 46, 50
Quita Sheehan, Conservation Specialist, Vilas County Land & Water Conservation Dept. Program: 37
Stacy Iwanicki, Wildlife Education Specialist (retired). Program: 34
Stephen White, Ecologist, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, US Forest Service. Program: 13
Susan Nelson, Interpretive Services Specialist (retired), Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, US Forest Service. Programs: 17, 42, 58
Ted May, Local Birding Expert. Program: 33
Terry Daulton, Artist and Local Birding Expert. Program: Stockton Cruise
Tim Oksiuta, Local Birding Expert. Programs: 2, 38, 53
Tom Piikkila, Forestry Specialist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Program: 25
Wendy Stein, Biologist (retired), Chequamegon-Nicolet National. Forest, US Forest Service. Programs: 5, 44
Zach Wilson, Forest Ecologist, Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission. Program: 26
