methodology

Meet Aimee Eberle – a lifelong water enthusiast, certified Master Naturalist, and former international Dragon Boat competitor. When she’s not working as a Lock and Dam Operator for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, she’s out exploring rivers and lakes, sharing her love of nature. With a deep knowledge of local wildlife and ecosystems, Aimee makes every kayak tour an adventure—spotting eagles, uncovering the river’s history, or simply soaking in the beauty of the water. From first-time paddlers to seasoned pros, she ensures a safe, fun, and unforgettable experience on the water!

Meet Carrie Katzenmeyer - an Anishinaabe/Norwegian artist who lives in Marine on Saint Croix with her family and rescue dog. She is passionate about encouraging others to express themselves through art. In her free time, Carrie enjoys hiking, learning more about her Indigenous heritage, painting, sewing, and spending time with loved ones.

She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in art and has taught at Marine Mills Folk School as well as through Reuse Minnesota.

Meet David Aichinger - the Chief Adventure Officer at Paddlefish Adventures in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. He is a lifelong adventurer with extensive experience in leading various outdoor activities. David has orchestrated numerous high-adventure trips, including a nine-day wilderness hike, week-long excursions in the Boundary Waters and on rivers, and a week-long scuba diving trip focused on cleaning coral reefs in the Caribbean.

David holds several certifications, including:

Youth Protection Training, BSA Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat Training, Hazardous Weather Training, Red Cross Wilderness First Aid, Red Cross CPR/AED, Red Cross

Meet Heather Nuber — an interdisciplinary artist/instructor with a focus in contemporary jewelry, textiles, and installation art, and a strong background in painting, drawing and printmaking. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, taught at various craft schools, art centers, and universities in various mediums, and participated in several residencies. Heather’s work focuses on the dynamics of personal relationships and social interactions. Heather lives and works in the Twin Cities, MN, along with her partner Addie and cat Tucker. She has a great love for being out in nature; put her near or in water or woods and throw in some dappled sunlight and she is her absolute happiest.

Meet Jessica Turtle - an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and Master Naturalist who founded Treehaus Studio. Her work encompasses both two- and three-dimensional forms, emphasizing community engagement while exploring themes such as folklore, symbiotic relationships, and the Anthropocene. Through her art and teaching, she encourages us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the natural world, fostering a deeper understanding of our place within it.

Jessica has a BFA in Studio Arts from the University of Wisconsin. She studied Object-based learning with the N.W. Harris Learning Collection in Chicago at the Bell Museum in Minnesota, and completed the Wisconsin Master Naturalist Program.

Meet Leonard, also known as "Leo," - a German Shepherd and Husky mix who is a dedicated and enthusiastic adventurer. He is infinitely loyalty to anyone who hugs him and he has excellent social skills when greeting clients and colleagues. He has a natural ability to reduce anxiety or stress and will charm you out of snacks with his sweet side-eye and playful demeanor.

Leo is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, specializing in stress and anxiety reduction.

Meet Sandy Spieler - a versatile artist who works as a sculptor, performer, teacher, and director. Her diverse body of work includes small puppet shows presented from a suitcase, collaborative performances and installations, theater productions, permanent public art commissions, and educational initiatives in community settings and universities. Spieler founded In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre, where she served as Artistic Director for 45 years. Additionally, she has directed ritual performances in South Korea, Los Angeles, and the Dominican Republic.

Sandy holds a Master's degree in Cultural Performance from Bristol University. She studied Puppetry Arts at the Bread and Puppet Theatre and learned Balinese Masked Dance at New York University.

Meet Tanner Barnharst - a teacher of scientific subjects for over 15 years who enjoys the art of passing on knowledge. Tanner has been leading mushroom and lichen walks for nine years and recently published the Minnesota Lichen Guide. Tanner enjoys reading science-fiction, practicing photography, and being outdoors as much as possible.

Tanner holds a BS in Microbiology and an MS in Environmental Engineering.

Meet Amy Mester — a maker of many things and an avid learner of the natural world. Her curiosity continues to fuel her endeavors, be it bookbinding, canvas bag construction, watercolor illustration, or bread making! As a professional naturalist, Amy finds ways to incorporate her art practice into outdoor education and in turn, celebrate nature’s textures, patterns, and color stories through visual art. When she’s not knee-deep in projects, she is with her partner Alex either birdwatching, bike packing, or cooking over an open fire at a yurt.

Amy holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and has interpretive and teaching experience through parks systems, historical societies, art museums, and natural resource departments.

Meet Jaime DeSmit - an herbalist and creative living in St. Croix Falls. Jaime cares greatly about strengthening one's connection to the natural world and gently encouraging folks to do that in a way that feels right for them. Her creative practice involves graphic design, linocut printing, garden design and handcrafting herbal medicine.

Jaime earned her BFA in Graphic Communications from Northern Michigan University’s School of Art & Design. She is also a 200-hour certified yoga instructor and also trained with Terra Firma to focus on trauma-informed yoga. She holds a Permaculture Design Certificate from Starhawk’s Earth Activist Training & completed 1700+ hrs in a Master of Herbalism program through Green Wisdom School of Botanical Medicine.