Welcome new FMR staff!
Please join us in extending a warm and hearty welcome to new FMR staff! Marlis Schmidt, Adam Flett and Kalei Holt. These three make-up the new Mississippi River Challenge team, while Katie Clower and Christian Anderson are the new friendly faces in the outreach and events corner.
Welcome Katie and Christian at our volunteer and education events
As our new Youth Educator & Program Assistant, Katie Clower will be coordinating the Storm Drain Stenciling program in St. Paul and engaging urban youth in river and watershed stewardship activities. She will also facilitate the volunteer Stream Health Evaluation Project and assist with volunteer registration and event coordination for FMRs busy schedule of public programs.
Katie recently completed a Masters in Conservation Biology from the University of MN-Twin Cities and brings an array of professional experiences, including teaching environmental education, developing curriculum, leading wilderness trips and supervising youth volunteers.
Christian Anderson has a full plate this spring. Currently completing a Masters of Education and a Masters Certificate in Community and Youth Development from the University of MN-Twin Cities, Christian is assisting with essential outreach for FMR's educational and volunteer restoration events and will also be helping at the events this spring.
The new Mississippi River Challenge team
Adam Flett will be handling logistics, and be the first point of contact for paddlers. Adam has a BS in Environmental Science, Policy & Management from the University of MN-Twin Cities, and comes to us with experience in the Forestry Extension Service and the Trail Town Outreach Corps in Pennsylvania. He is an experienced paddler and wilderness canoe guide.
Marlis Schmidt will be overseeing sponsorship, marketing and outreach for the Mississippi River Challenge, and have a few logistical duties as well. Marlis comes to us with a BA from North Texas State University. She has extensive experience in sponsorship and fundraising, having headed the member drives at Minnesota Public Radio and worked on other pledge-raising events.
Kalei Holt is securing fun premiums or prizes to encourage paddlers to reach higher with their pledge-raising, as well as assisting with logistics and interpretive info. Kalei is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, pursuing a major in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management with a minor in Corporate Environmental Management. She recently moved to Minnesota and saw this position with FMR as a fun way to learn about her new community and satisfy her interest in the outdoors. Please join us in welcoming her to FMR!
Adam, Marlis and Kalei come to FMR with great energy, fresh ideas and a mission to make the 9th Annual Mississippi River Challenge the best one ever! You can reach Adam and Marlis at aflett@fmr.org and mschmidt@fmr.org to extend a warm welcome, inquire about ways you can support the event, and offer feedback or ideas for this years Mississippi River Challenge.