MEET THE Team
Our team includes a diverse range of writers, photographers, filmmakers, designers, technicians, researchers, educators and students.
Together, we bring the stories of our water to life.
Core Team
Michael Forsberg
Co-Founder
Mike was born and raised in Nebraska and has been a professional photographer for 25 years. His books and films focus on wildlife and conservation stories in the Great Plains.
Michael Farrell
Co-Founder
Michael is an artist, author, and 51-year veteran of public media, where he produced and managed documentaries about the culture, history, and environment of the Great Plains.
Ethan Freese
Producer & Photographer | he/him
Ethan is a photographer passionate about prairies and wetlands and he hopes to use photography to show others the value of these under-appreciated ecosystems.
Grant Reiner
Producer & Cinematographer
Grant is a filmmaker and photographer passionate about conservation storytelling; showcasing under-appreciated landscapes and species.
Carlee Moates
Producer & Instructor | she/her
Carlee is a storyteller, photographer, and lifelong student and teacher. She is inspired by the beauties of nature and aims to encourage further contemplation of ecology.
Sidney Parks
Graphic Designer & Animator | she/her
Sidney is a graphic designer and animator, and loves being able to educate others through well-thought-out design, especially about the natural world.
Current Contributors
Brooke Talbott
Production Assistant
Caden Connelly
Production Intern | he/him
Dave Showalter
Field Assistant
Elijah Riley
Production Intern | He/him
Emily Nelson
Production Intern | she/her
Emma Balunek
Graduate Student | She/her
Grace Carey
Production Intern | She/her
Jeff Dale
Camera Engineer
Ted Lagrange
Wetland Biologist
Kim Hachiya
Editor & Advisor | She/her
Mary Harner
Ecosystem Ecologist | She/her
Mirzo Mirzokarimov
Field Technician
Josh Nazarenus
Production Intern | He/him
Rachel Holt
Social Media Intern
Valentina Catalano
Production Intern
Marissa Lindemann
Production Intern
FORMER Contributors
Aaron Lee
Production Intern
Alexandria Lundvall
Production Intern
Amy Morris
Production Intern
Andrew Wentz
Production Intern
Ariana Brocious
Producer
Ashley Oblander
Contributor
Ben Gottesman
Contributor
Benjamin Vogt
Contributor
Brian Seifferlein
Producer
Burk Knowlton
Contributor
Cristina Woodworth
Production Intern
Dana Fritz
Commissioned Storyteller
Dat Ha
Contributor
Dave Leatherman
Contributor
David Weber
Camera Technician
Ella Bishop-Heil
Contributor
Elsie Stormberg
Storytelling Intern
Emily Levine
Contributor
Emma Brinley Buckley
Researcher & Scientist
Emma Krab
Storytelling Intern
Erin McCready
Production Intern
Evan Barrientos
Contributor
Favian Mendez Rodriguez
Production Intern
Gabriella Parsons
Production Intern
Grace Bullington
Production Intern
Grace Gaard
Contributor
Hannah Gayle
Social Media Intern
Heather Johnson
Contributor
Isabella Gomez
Contributor
Jackie Sojico
Contributor
Joe Arneson
Production Intern
Jonathan Nikkila
Contributor
Joshua Redwine
Contributor
Kara Kielty-Connor
Production Intern
Kat Shiffler
Producer
Katelyn Nimic
Contributor
Katie Nieland
Contributor
Kery Harrelson
Field Assistant
Kimberly Tri
Contributor
Kylee Warren
Commissioned Storyteller
Lena Nelson
News & Events Intern
Maddie Schiltmeyer
Social Media Intern
Madeline Cass
Commissioned Storyteller
Mary Anne Andrei
Producer
Matt Hoobler
Contributor
Matt Waite
Web & Technology Advisor
Meg Rice
Social Media Intern
Melissa Amateis
Copy Editor
Merika Andrade
Storytelling Intern
Mia Everding
News & Events Intern
Michaela Daughtery
Social Media Intern
Mikaela Deptula
Production Intern
Morgan Spiehs
Producer
Nicole Pauley
Contributor
Peter Stegen
Producer & Cinematographer
Renee San Souci
Contributor
Sagan Smith
Storytelling Intern
Sarah Brey
Comissioned Storyteller
Sarah Sortum
Contributor
Sierra Harris
Producer
Simon Tye
Researcher
Sophia Balunek
Contributor
Steve Den
Contributor
Steven Speicher
Producer & Web Developer
Teagan Gaul
Production Intern
Trinity Thompson
Web Design Intern
Valerie Cuppens Bates
Education Producer
Yahya Shema
Production Intern
Zoe Mays
Production Intern
Support CONSERVATION STORYTELLING
Join us in cultivating community and conversation surrounding our most valuable resource: water.