Vickie graduated from Culver-Stockton College with a B.S. in Biology and Western Illinois University with an M.S. in Biology. She started teaching at the collegiate level in 2008 in Biology and Environmental Science. in 2024 she earned her PhD in Large River Ecosystems. She resides in Carthage, IL, with her children. When not in the office, she can often be found leading local cub scout groups in her area.
Professionally, Vickie worked with young adults from freshman year through graduate school programs from 2008 - 2023. Her research interests are in wetland water quality and ecosystems, animal behavior, and vertebrate anatomical development. She brings a strong skill set in scientific inquiry and education that will help to document the stewardship and successes of our properties, provide support for additional grants and continue our strong community relationships.
Kirsten Boesen | Stewardship Coordinator
stewardship@prairiehillsrcd.org
Kirsten began her conservation career maintaining hiking trails in the Klamath National Forest in partnership with the Student Conservation Association. Since then, she has gained experience building mountain bike trails on Department of Natural Resources land in Washington State, has done wilderness monitoring reports with the Flathead National Forest Service, and maintained trails in Glacier National Park.
Some of her most valuable career experience was with the City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation team as Restoration Coordinator. Her most creative career opportunities were with Meadows Montessori as Horticultural Lead where she was able to lead nature classes with students. Her favorite projects through her career have involved building a boardwalk for a bike trail, leading a city waste mitigation program, and creating a Children’s Herb Labyrinth for students. She enjoys her personal time too, whether harvesting or processing food, getting crafty, or hiking in green spaces. Here, she is excited to coordinate stewardship amongst PLC’s green spaces. Concurrently, she is interested in exploring with PLC’s community what active stewardship and restoration look like. Come join her in the field at a PLC event!
Jaime Webb | Program Coordinator
PC@prairiehillsrcd.org
Jaime Webb (they/them) joined Prairie Hills Resource Conservation & Development as the new Program Coordinator in mid April. Jaime grew up in rural Indiana and graduated from Goshen College with a BA in Environmental Science and a Masters in Environmental Education.
Jaime brings with them diverse and creative experiences working for two different land trusts. Most recently they were a Remote Communications Intern for Wild Rivers Conservancy in WI and they also served two years in AmeriCorps VISTA as an Education Coordinator for Great Peninsula Conservancy in WA. Jaime’s favorite topics to teach about are prairie management, pollinators, and benthic macroinvertebrates.
When not at work, you can find Jaime reading a book while sipping cold brew or out in the field with pencil and paper to add another page to their nature journal.
Board of Directors
President - Alice Henry (McDonough County) VP of External Affairs - Trevor Toland (McDonough County) Treasurer & VP of Internal Affairs - Jere Greuel (McDonough County) Secretary - Greg Arnett (Fulton County) Director - Chad Braatz (Warren County) Director - Michael Pearson (Warren County) Director - Jennie Hemmingway (McDonough County)