Joined Wild Ones: March 12th, 2012 Lifetime Member
Board Term: 2025-2027
Serves on:
Contact Wild Ones: [email protected]
Chapter: Wild Ones Fox Valley Area
Favorite Native Plant: Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis)
About:
Tracey holds Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Biology from Bowling Green State University (Ohio) and the University of Mississippi. She has devoted much of her career to environmental science. For 8 years, she was part of a team that developed a plan to create 4,000 acres of intertidal salt marsh from clean dredged material from the widening and deepening of the Houston Ship Channel. This project included coordination with 9 state and federal agencies to define the recommended plan (beneficial use) for dredged material disposal. After moving to Wisconsin, Tracey became the Executive Director of Heckrodt Wetland Reserve, a nonprofit nature center. For 25 years, she provided executive leadership for the organization while identifying and funding projects to enhance, restore, and preserve the Reserve. This included the creation of a 4-acre prairie meadow on a closed landfill. She was also involved in the development and presentation of environmental education programs for schools and the general public. Tracey retired in April 2023 and enjoys working in her own native plant gardens.
What inspired you to become involved with Wild Ones:
Throughout my career, I have worked to restore and create habitats to support wildlife in many different areas. Today, I see that Wild Ones' mission is catching on through the hard work and planning of the board and chapters. I want to join your mission to provide programming and support to maintain Wild One's place in the Homegrown National Park movement.