Cindy Becker
Southwest Wisconsin Grasslands Network (SWGN) Coordinator
Education
B.S. in Natural Resource Conservation, Rutgers University
M.S. in Forest Ecology, University of Missouri – Columbia
Primary Responsibilities
-
Support partnership functions and build the financial and personnel capacity of the SWGN
-
Develop and execute outreach events and programming related to prairie, savanna, and grassland habitat and grassland conservation
-
Work individually with landowners to raise awareness of and promote best management practices for prairie, savanna, and grassland habitat
Past Jobs & Experience
Early in her career Cindy worked as a botanical consultant, assessing natural communities for invasive plants and rare plant species for the Missouri Department of Conservation, US Park Service, and The Nature Conservancy. In moving to Wisconsin in 2008, she transitioned from research and monitoring on public lands to landowner engagement and private lands restoration. Cindy jointly worked as the Blue Mounds Area Project Outreach Ecologist and co-operated a small restoration business, Nature’s Keeper Services.
Favorite thing about the Driftless Area
"The Driftless Area is filled with subtle wonders that force exploration. I enjoy seeking out and exploring obscure small natural areas and public lands. Within this working landscape are opportunities to preserve and protect nature all around us."
Hobbies and Interests
Cindy cherishes time outdoors, and in her spare time, can be found hiking, foraging, or botanizing, with a dog by her side. She loves to grow and share food and flowers from her garden. Cindy is also passionate about exercise and in the process of getting her yoga teacher certification.