Letter to the Editor: Bidding Farewell to DCIST

I am writing today to let you know that my time has come to part ways as the coordinator for the Door County Invasive Species Team (DCIST). The Nature Conservancy began this collaboration with the Door County Soil & Water Conservation Department in 2012 and I am incredibly thankful for seven years of teaching landowners, strengthening partnerships throughout the county and state, and learning from all of you.

The good news is that I’m not going anywhere. There are some exciting opportunities for me at The Nature Conservancy and a bit more flexibility is needed with the half of my time that has always been dedicated to DCIST. I plan to remain an active partner and will be available to help to ensure that the transition to a new coordinator goes smoothly. The Nature Conservancy is very proud of DCIST’s achievements during the seven years in which we held the contract and are looking forward to being a partner in its continued success.

Being the DCIST coordinator has provided me an amazing opportunity to learn, grow, and meet people in our communities. It helped The Nature Conservancy create a full-time, permanent job for me when there wouldn’t have been one, and created an avenue for us to impact change on a scale beyond our own lands. The Door County Soil & Water Conservation Department will soon be putting out a position description looking for a new organization to host the coordinator position. In the interim, both Krista Lutzke and I will be available to provide continuity in the DCIST program. I can be reached at [email protected] or 920.333.1754.

I thank all of you for your support of DCIST and the knowledge that many of you have shared with me during my time as coordinator.

Kari Hagenow

DCIST Coordinator