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Jennifer Phillips-Vanderberg is a Ph.D. biologist with extensive experience conducting ornithological research. She has worked as a life scientist with the Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago, addressing pollution-control issues in the Great Lakes Region, primarily in eastern and southern Wisconsin.
Phillips-Vanderberg is a graduate of Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. She received her doctorate in animal behavior in 2016 from the University of California-Davis, where she used a combination of museum and field methods to study the evolutionary relationships among climate, life history, and coloration in 101 species of birds.
She assumes her Observatory position, with a life-long affection for the Great Lakes region and a deep appreciation for the issues facing the region and its birdlife.
She grew up in Michigan in a town on Lake Huron and worked for years as a naturalist at Michigan DNR’s Saginaw Bay Visitor Center, in Bay City, where she taught ornithology, conservation biology, ecology, wildlife management, and other subjects to students, developed an outreach program that used bird banding as a gateway to biology, and surveyed bird populations.
Jenny is a conservation biologist who has dedicated her career to protecting the natural resources of Wisconsin. She joined LMBO in March 2023 after developing her native plant propagation and on-site restoration knowledge as part of Prairie Future Seed Company.
Originally from Michigan, Jenny grew up romping through fields and wetlands, chasing snakes and frogs which led her to Madison to pursue her Master’s in Water Resource Management with a focus on wetland ecology. Jenny was with the Wisconsin DNR’s Natural Heritage Conservation program serving in multiple roles including the Karner Blue butterfly Habitat Conservation Plan program. Her work at the Wisconsin DNR also allowed her to foster relationships with the public and diverse groups of stakeholders.
With her passion for Lake Michigan and biodiversity, she is excited to expand her knowledge of birds and apply her knowledge and skills to inspire change in our community. Jenny enjoys spending time with her husband, two teenage children, friends, and family as well as hiking, growing native plants in her backyard, listening to live music, and exploring Milwaukee.
Joanna Demas is a dedicated naturalist with a strong focus on partnerships, environmental education, land restoration, and stewardship. She joined LMBO in September 2023. She previously worked as the Land Trust and Community Impact Director at the River Revitalization Foundation in Milwaukee. While there she led initiatives to restore and protect natural areas along the Milwaukee River, while engaging nearby diverse communities. With expertise in ecology and habitat restoration Joanna actively oversaw projects and supervises teams of volunteers, interns, and national and local conservation corps members.
Beyond her career, Joanna selflessly donates her time and expertise to programs such as USGS Bird Box Monitoring and the Invasive Plant Association of Wisconsin (IPAW). Through these experiences, Joanna demonstrates her commitment to making a positive impact on the environment and to fostering community involvement.
With a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and ongoing education in the field, Joanna brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to her work. Her academic background, coupled with her hands-on experience, enables her to approach land restoration and conservation partnership building with a well-rounded perspective. Joanna's ability to effectively lead and engage community volunteers has been instrumental in the success of numerous projects at the River Revitalization Foundation. She values sharing her knowledge to get others energized to explore, build their own relationship with nature, and inspire others to take sustainable action to protect habitats from the negative impacts of invasive species in natural areas and our own backyards.
Joanna lives in Milwaukee with her husband and their two dogs, Rue and Morel. She spends her free time with family and friends, enjoying adventures that involve hiking, biking, or paddling. She is an audiobook junkie, especially while creating fiber arts projects that include knitting and macramé.
Sarah Stoll joined the Observatory in February, 2020. In addition to running a tight ship in the office, she provides engaging content for our Facebook and Instagram pages. She lives in Fredonia with her husband, toddler son and two dogs and spends her free time riding her horse. Sarah is excited to join the Observatory because she wants to contribute to our conservancy and education mission. As a life-long Wisconsin resident, protecting our local resources is a cause near to her heart.
