After seven years Ruth Oppedahl has decided to step down as executive director of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.
The Foundation Board of Directors and staff wish Ruth the best on her new adventures and appreciate all that she has contributed to the Foundation – she will be sorely missed! After a short sabbatical, Ruth will look for new opportunities to work in the conservation field as she moves on to the next phase of her career.
Milestones under Ruth’s leadership
Under Ruth’s leadership, with board and staff, the Foundation has successfully increased its partnerships and support for healthy natural resources in Wisconsin. Several milestones we’ve recently reached include:
- More than doubling conservation funds and expanding grants supporting projects throughout Wisconsin.
- Expanding NRF’s Field Trip programs that connect citizens to more than 230 great natural resource adventures.
- Reaching over half a million dollars for the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund.
- Growing operational strength.
- Transitioning to a proven software platform for optimum efficiency in grant-tracking, fund accounting and donor services.
- Relocating to a new office space that better supports NRF’s mission.
- Creating and achieving a million-dollar endowment to help sustain NRF operations and expand its capacity.
- Building NRF’s educational impact, doubling local grant-making and expanding NRF outreach.
- Launching a diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative so all Wisconsinites benefit from our grant-making and opportunities to engage with nature.
Remembering Ruth’s “I Heart Wisconsin” river trip
Another highlight from Ruth’s career with the Foundation is her “I Heart Wisconsin” river trip, an 18-day paddle along the length of the Wisconsin River.
She decided to use her vacation time to embark on this epic journey after learning of the 2015 budget cuts to critical conservation resources for Wisconsin and hoped the trip would inspire people to get outside and appreciate the natural wonders across the state.
Ruth was easily recognized along the way by the bright flag attached to the back of her kayak that pictured a large heart over the state of Wisconsin. Later, this design inspired the logo for the Bluffs to Great Lake Shores Campaign – a campaign that will create a permanent endowment fund for the Foundation.
Board Chair Kristine Krause said the Foundation’s momentum and success will continue to attract donors, members and partners willing to support the places, natural resources and outdoor lifestyles they cherish.
“We are profoundly grateful for Ruth and what she has done for the Foundation and for the wild places of Wisconsin. We are focusing on the future while celebrating historic success,” Krause said.
A final farewell from Ruth Oppedahl:
On August 20 I will be wrapping up my time with the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. I have enjoyed meeting so many of you personally in your homes and on field trips in our beautiful state!
I am humbled by what we have accomplished together, especially creating an endowment for the Foundation, and setting up our operations and systems and staffing that will efficiently take our Foundation strongly into the next decades.
I hope you will join me in looking forward to greeting the new executive director of the Foundation this fall. It is my greatest wish that you will continue, and even consider increasing your support as we build on our original mission to provide funding for public lands and endangered wildlife in Wisconsin. Our grantmaking for education continues to reach more and more classrooms and nature centers across the state, and we hope our focus on diversity and inclusion in our grant program and field trips will better serve all Wisconsin residents.
If you have lived somewhere else, you recognize what we have in Wisconsin is special. The Foundation will continue to be there to serve where your passion and interest intersects with the greatest needs of our lands, wildlife and waters. I look forward to seeing you on the trail, or on the river.
Sincerely,
Ruth Oppedahl
Article written by Jaime Kenowski, Communications Director