Why have you chosen to be on the board?
Through joining the CURE community, I hope to learn as much from the people I work with and serve, as they do from me. With my intense passion for and knowledge of the natural environment, I seek to spread ecological awareness and appreciation while advocating for environmental literacy and environmental justice. I believe connecting peoples values to the environment is truly the most effective way to create meaningful change, and I am honored to join up with an organization that shares this belief.
Tell us about your vocation/profession.
I’m the District Manager for the Lac qui Parle Soil and Water Conservation District. During the snow-free days of Minnesota, you can find me in the tractor converting unproductive agricultural farmland into native prairie and wildlife habitats, striving to keep our waters free from Aquatic Invasive Species, and working with local producers to introduce conservation-minded principles into their farming practices.
Fun Fact(s):
I am a Rochester, New York native with a strong love for her roots, and the outdoors! After college, I had the chance to work in the backcountry of Montana as well as the deserts of Southeastern California. I have most recently found the prairies of western Minnesota to be full of unique beauty and enjoy observing the animals that call it home, especially the birds! My experience with these various landscapes has given me a well-rounded appreciation of how ecological systems all tie together, regardless of how different they may seem.
Rhyan Schicker was elected to the CURE Board of Directors in 2019.