Mr. Hjort is the principal owner and a Senior Biologist with over 22 years of experience in terrestrial and aquatic ecology, lake and stream studies, and management. He has prepared Environmental Assessments (EA) and Environmental Impact Reports (EIR) and conducted Endangered and Threatened Species Surveys for new facilities and expansions. Mr. Hjort consults to lake associations and the largest Lake District in the State of Wisconsin with projects ranging from water quality monitoring to petitions for modifying dam Operating Orders. His work includes the preparation of permit applications for wetland dredge/fill projects, as well as CWA 404 and state water quality certifications for a wide range of development projects. Mr. Hjort has delineated over 200 wetlands in Wisconsin and other states and provided litigation support for various waterway violations. His greatest passion is for wetland restoration projects, and he has conducted many of these gratifying projects in his career.
Ms. Weissgerber has a Master of Science in Restoration Ecology from UW-Madison and four years of project management experience postgraduate. Ms. Weissgerber’s areas of specialization include adaptive restoration and management planning and implementation, vegetation monitoring, ecological data collection, and invasive species management. Ms. Weissgerber has designed and managed dozens of native restoration projects on non-profit, municipal, public, and private land in a variety of ecological communities across southeast and east central Wisconsin. These projects have involved non-native species management, native species reestablishment, wildlife habitat enhancement, slope and shoreline stabilization, forest stand improvement, cropland conversion, prescribed fire, vegetation monitoring and analysis, and project oversight. Ms. Weissgerber also works with the Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council to increase the capacity of safe prescribed burning in the state. Located in Ozaukee County, Ms. Weissgerber enjoys wildflowers, spending time with her family, and being on the water.
Mr. Duquaine has six years of experience in ecological restoration. Mr. Duquaine earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the UW-Milwaukee before making the decision to pursue ecological restoration. He then received an Ecological Restoration Certificate from the University of Minnesota. Kyle started out as a Restoration Technician at ERC and continues to gain experience and knowledge about the ecological field. In the six years at ERC, Kyle has gained experience in managing projects, conducted various vegetation surveys, and has several years of experience in GIS & Spatial Analysis Systems. Kyle is also a certified, FAA-licensed drone pilot. Kyle is passionate about working to conserve the environment and looks forward to working on native restorations across the state. Mr. Duquaine enjoys camping, attending music shows, being outdoors, and traveling the world.
Mr. Luehring has over fifteen years of experience in restoration ecology, land management, and wildlife management; and had previously worked for the WDNR as a Wildlife and Forestry Technician. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree at UW-Oshkosh. Mr. Luehring has experience in forest, prairie, and wetland restorations and maintenance involving native plantings, seedings, herbicide applications, and prescribed fires. Mr. Luehring is knowledgeable with erosion control products and solutions to erosion problems. He specializes in terrestrial invasive species and has a passion for restoring woods and prairies back to what they once were. Mr. Luehring is an avid fisherman who competes in tournaments, loves watching people catch fish, and spends most of his free time on the water.
Mr. Belke has five years of ecological restoration and resource management experience. Prior to employment with ERC, Mr. Belke was employed as a Resource Management Technician at the Cook County Forest Preserve in Illinois. There his main tasks included removing invasive trees and shrubs and removing dead and hazardous trees. While a student, Mr. Belke was an intern at the Green Field Station in Waukesha, WI. There he worked on projects to clear buckthorn and worked with grade/high school students teaching them about plants and animals in the area as well as leading them on hikes. In his spare time, he likes to stay activate by hiking in state and national parks. He also enjoys playing basketball, spending time with friends and family, and trying new restaurant around the area!
Mr. Haberman began working with Eco Resource Consulting, Inc. (ERC) three years ago as a Restoration Technician and is now applying his experience as a Staff Ecologist. Mr. Haberman earned his degree in Conservation and Environmental Science at UW-Milwaukee in 2019. Mr. Haberman has worked on restoring native oak savannas, wet mesic prairies, shortgrass uplands, and woodlands. Mr. Haberman has experience coordinating and conducting prescribed burns, non-native species management, native reestablishment, wildlife habitat enhancement, woodland management, cropland conversions, food plots, soil surveys, and vegetation monitoring. Mr. Haberman enjoys spending his free time outdoors in every season.
Mr. Baumann has a year and a half of ecological restoration and resource management experience. Prior to employment with ERC, Mr. Baumann was employed as an Invasive Plant Management Intern through American Conservation Experience (ACE) in conjunction with the Catalina Island Conservancy in southern California. There his main tasks included invasive tree and shrub removal, tool and equipment maintenance, and aiding in constructing and repairing enclosures to protect native plant species from herbivory. As a student, Mr. Baumann participated in a research project over the course of a year with Dr. Evan Weiher focusing on measuring plant functional trait diversity in plant communities across the state of Wisconsin, primarily sampling in designated State Natural Areas. Through this research project, Mr. Baumann gained experience in plant identification across different community types, plant sampling and storage techniques, and statistical analysis. In his free time, Mr. Baumann enjoys running, backpacking, and hiking, particularly along the Ice Age Trail National Scenic Trail.
Ms. Skenandore graduated with a Bachelor's in Environmental Science from Alverno College. During this time, she had an internship at a small restoration company. Through her internship, her tasks focused on removing invasive plant species from areas that were aimed to be returned to their native state, especially Wetlands. Ms. Skenandore has many hobbies, but all include spending time with her daughter, cats, and bearded dragon.