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“Our mission is to work with the community to conserve and protect the beauty and health of the Kinnickinnic River and its watershed.”
About Us
The Kinnickinnic River Land Trust (KRLT) is a community-based land trust dedicated to working with the community to conserve and protect the beauty and health of the Kinnickinnic River and its watershed.
Based in River Falls, Wisconsin, we work throughout the Kinnickinnic River watershed in cooperation with community members, landowners, organizations, and government entities to conserve important natural resources such as clean water, native/migratory wildlife species and their habitat, farmland, and important ecosystems.
Since 1993, the KRLT has protected more than 2,800 acres and over 9.5 miles of riverbank thanks to the support of the members, like-minded organizations, and foundations. The work of protecting the Kinni isn’t over, and we invite you to join us in our efforts to protect this beautiful watershed of the Kinnickinnic River!
Staff Members
Steve Leonard
Executive Director
(715) 301-0724 | steve@kinniriver.org
Why did you choose to work at KRLT?
It’s the opportunity to work with many different stakeholders. All working towards a common goal – to protect the Kinni.
What is your favorite thing to do in the Kinnickinnic River watershed?
Hiking the various landscapes from the Nagel property up north to the Kinnickinnic River State Park south where it eventually flows into the St Croix River.
Molly Barritt-Luebke
Donor and Community Relations
(715) 301-0753 | molly@kinniriver.org
Why did you choose to work at KRLT?
I am passionate about protecting the environment, especially the Kinni, and the KRLT embodies this and other important values through its mission. I enjoy meeting people who want to support KRLT's work and connecting them with ways to further conservation efforts in the Kinnickinnic River watershed. I am excited to be part of the direction and initiatives the organization is working on, such as strengthening conservation efforts and providing improved accessibility at the Nature Preserves.
What is your favorite thing to do in the Kinnickinnic River watershed?
I enjoy hiking the KRLT preserves and watching how they change throughout the seasons. The Drewiske Preserve is one of my favorites, especially in the spring when the woodland flowers start to bloom. The Kelly Creek Preserve is great to visit and supports multiple ecosystems, so there is always something interesting to see when you visit.
Marty Engel
Land Stewardship Manager
(715) 653-6153 | marty@kinniriver.org
Why did you choose to work at KRLT?
The Kinnickinnic River Land Trust shares many of the same environmental goals and values as I do. After I retired from WDNR I was looking for a part-time option that would allow me to continue conservation work in the area. The Kinnickinnic River watershed has always been a favorite area of mind and the land trust work gives me the opportunity to protect sensitive resources, establish natural habitat and provide additional outdoor recreational opportunities.
What is your favorite thing to do in the Kinnickinnic River watershed?
While I have spent many wonderful days over the past 35 years fishing, surveying trout streams, and doing trout stream restoration, my latest passion is restoring preserve habitat. We are currently restoring and maintaining prairie and oak savanna habitats at the Headwaters, Kelly Creek, and Drewiske Preserves. I also enjoy hiking and wildlife observation in the wooded bluffland prairies within the watershed.
Jane Taylor
Social Media & Community Outreach Coordinator
(715) 425-5738 | jane@kinniriver.org
Why did you choose to work at KRLT?
I work for KRLT because I support their mission to keep the Kinni 'cold and clear'. I feel passionate about conserving the watershed and protecting the plants and animals that reside in it. I strive to share stories, ideas, and visions of the Kinni through social platforms in an effort to connect the community!
What is your favorite thing to do in the Kinnickinnic River watershed?
My favorite activity to do in the Kinnickinnic River watershed is birding. I love taking long walks and observing and documenting the different bird species I come across. My favorite time and place to do this is at Kelly Creek Preserve in the summer; the prairie provides a picturesque haven for a variety of beautiful birds!
Board Members
David Gregg
PRESIDENT
Why did you become a board member of KRLT?
We are incredibly fortunate to have this jewel of a river run through our town. I became a Board Member because it was an opportunity to help preserve and protect this beautiful river now and for future generations.
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What is your favorite thing to do in the Kinnickinnic River watershed?
My favorite activities in the watershed are fly fishing, kayaking, prairie walks, winter hikes along the Kinni.
Peggy Kubicz Hall
VICE PRESIDENT
Why did you become a board member of KRLT?
I believe the Kinnickinnic River is an important regional asset, and it (and therefore its watershed) needs to be appropriately managed and preserved. I am honored to be a small part of that effort.
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What is your favorite thing to do in the Kinnickinnic River watershed?
Walking in order to have those special moments immersed in nature. I especially enjoy the wildflowers, the sounds of flowing water and birdsong.
Mark Ritzinger
TREASURER
Why did you become a board member of KRLT?
I became a board member because all change is local and nothing is more local then the Kinnickinnic River and its watershed. I want to make a difference for my kids and grandkids so that they can enjoy this river in at least a way close to resembling my experience. I have had a lifetime of taking from nature and it is now time to balance the ledger by giving back to this earth through my work at KRLT.
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What is your favorite thing to do in the Kinnickinnic River watershed?
My favorite activities in the watershed are fly fishing, kayaking, prairie walks, winter hikes along the Kinni.
Caitlin Olsen
SECRETARY
Why did you become a board member of KRLT?
I became a board member because I wanted my voice to be heard. I felt I had a unique perspective to offer within the Kinnickinnic Land Trust.
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What is your favorite thing to do in the Kinnickinnic River watershed?
My favorite Kinnikinnic activity is exploring the watershed with my two young kids. Seeing the river through their eyes brings so much joy and wonder.
David Foster Babcock
Why did you become a board member of KRLT?
The Kinni is a gem that flows through our town of River Falls. The river is the reason that the town was established where it is. My wife, Judie Foster Babcock was a fifth-generation Foster. She was a direct descendant of Joel Foster, one of the first European settlers to this area. When I married into the Foster family, I became a “foster child.” The Fosters have a long tradition of caring for the river. I hope to carry on this tradition in service to KRLT.
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What is your favorite thing to do in the Kinnickinnic River watershed?
Judie and I fly our drone along the Kinni to help monitor the river before and after the dams are removed. This is a lot of fun during warm weather, not so much fun in cold weather.
Holly Dolliver
BOARD MEMBER
Why did you become a board member of KRLT?
I am passionate about getting young people outdoors to experience with nature. The KRLT provides access to diverse natural spaces in the Kinni watershed where individuals can explore, discover, and connect. The organization is mission-focused and forward thinking and I am excited to see how we can work creatively and collaboratively to meet ever changing needs.
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What is your favorite thing to do in the Kinnickinnic River watershed?
I love soil and rocks! Both hold secrets to the long and complex history of this region. I enjoy hiking and kayaking with my family and enjoy sharing my knowledge of the area with others.
Kevyn Juneau
BOARD MEMBER
Why did you become a board member of KRLT?
My background is in conservation and ecology, so, to me, it made sense to join the board so I can help the Land Trust and the greater community protect the unique natural areas that we have here in the watershed. It’s also an opportunity to get the students I teach at UW-River Falls more involved with conservation in the watershed.
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What is your favorite thing to do in the Kinnickinnic River watershed?
My favorite activity in the watershed is to hike and explore the forests. There are a lot of hidden gems in the watershed, and I really appreciate the diversity of habitats that we have here. It is nice to find new parks or public forests to explore.
Aleisha Miller
BOARD MEMBER
Why did you become a board member of KRLT?
I became a KRLT Board Member to help protect the river. I live in this watershed and I want to make it a better place.
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What is your favorite thing to do in the Kinnickinnic River watershed?
I enjoy spending time in the Kinnickinnic River Watershed with my family. As a River Falls resident, we spend time downtown and the river is always an important fixture in our minds. We enjoy walking the paths and seeing the wildlife right in our backyard.
Violet Penman
BOARD MEMBER
Why did you become a board member of KRLT?
I became a board member of KRLT to stay connected with the community while simultaneously protecting this important ecosystem. I was born in River Falls and attended UWRF, where I found a community of others who are as attached to the Kinni and its ecosystems as I am. Even after migrating to Minnesota, I still feel a deep connection to the watershed's flora and fauna, as well as its amazing people.
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What is your favorite thing to do in the Kinnickinnic River watershed?
I love to hike in the watershed! The diversity of terrain, plants, and animals you see ranging throughout the watershed is always amazing, and reminds me why the Kinni is so important to protect. I especially enjoy searching for ephemeral blooms in the spring- the cliffs along the south Kinni create the perfect climate for some beautiful, uncommon plants!
Alex Prieto
BOARD MEMBER
Why did you become a board member of KRLT?
I am very fortunate to have enjoyed the Kinnickinnic River and its watershed for over 25 years. I became a board member to contribute to preserving and protecting this amazing resource
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What is your favorite thing to do in the Kinnickinnic River watershed?
My favorite activities in the watershed are fly fishing and hiking. I enjoy encountering all the animals along the river, even the beavers, scaring me in the dark as I hike downstream at dawn.
Charles Rader
BOARD MEMBER
Why did you become a board member of KRLT?
I have been fortunate to be involved with the KRLT since its inception and wanted to be on the Board of Directors to be an advocate for the protection of the natural environment and water resources.
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What is your favorite thing to do in the Kinnickinnic River watershed?
My wife Nancy and I have lived in the Kinnickinnic River watershed for 31 years and value having nature at hand daily for walking, photography, and canoeing.
Deb Wulf
BOARD MEMBER
Why did you become a board member of KRLT?
I joined the Board in 2016 because I wholly believed in this organization’s mission to protect this river now and in the future. I am passionate about providing access to this unique environmental resource for all, especially children and emerging nature enthusiasts. I find it rewarding to leverage my background in environmental science and communication to help achieve the KRLT goals.
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What is your favorite thing to do in the Kinnickinnic River watershed?
I enjoy hiking and identifying plants, birds and animals in the preserves and occasionally kayaking on the lower stretch of the river. I also like introducing new people to the river and explaining how protecting the watershed benefits our water supply, agricultural character of our counties as well as the plants and animals.