WHO
WE ARE
The Sugar River in the Falk Wells Sugar River Wildlife Area.
VISION & MISSION
The Upper Sugar River Watershed Association consists of those who live, work or play in the watershed. We are a grassroots, self-sustaining, 501c3 non-profit conservation organization. We have a board of directors, an annual membership and are able to complete many beneficial conservation projects with funds we raise from grants, individual and corporate donors, municipalities and events.
We are a hands-on project group, and disseminate information about watershed issues through our connections in local schools and numerous community partners. More specific information about Upper Sugar can be found in our bylaws.The Upper Sugar River Watershed, with a drainage area of approximately 170 square miles (109,404 acres) and 115 stream miles, is located in Dane County, Wisconsin. It is rich in resources, including fisheries, wildlife habitat (including rare and endangered species), native plant communities (many in decline), and recreational opportunities.
The Upper Sugar’s vision describes its desired future. The mission summarizes how Upper Sugar will usher the vision into reality.
Vision
We envision a community that is inspired to take collective action to ensure a healthy watershed for all, now and in the future.
Mission
We protect and restore natural resources in the Upper Sugar River Watershed and surrounding areas by cultivating relationships, advocating for conservation, and bolstering environmental literacy.
Values
Many values characterize the culture and principles that drive Upper Sugar’s efforts. Succinctly, top values include:
Stewardship: We empower individuals to see the land, water, and wildlife as their own, encouraging responsibility to care for it well.
Diversity: We are driven to develop a community of advocates who collaborate to advance equity, access, and diversity.
Cooperation: We are committed to collective efforts and collaborative partnerships focused on short-term actions and long-term aspirations.
Adventure: We cultivate tangible experiences that tap into a spirit of curiosity and exploration so all can experience nature in new ways through the watershed.
Science: We are guided by evidence-based research and informed decision-making.
Organizational Goals
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Diversity
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Board Development
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Volunteer
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Engagement
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Capacity Building
Program Priorities
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Education and outreach
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Citizen Science
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Invasive Species Detection and Management
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Restoration
Contact
If you would like more information, have questions, or would like to volunteer, please contact us!
By Email: info@uppersugar.org
By Phone: (608) 437-7707
By Mail:
Upper Sugar River Watershed Association
P.O. Box 314 Mt. Horeb, WI 53572
Office Hours: We work remotely a large percentage of the time, so it’s recommended to call ahead or make an appointment. Our office is located at 207 E. Main Street, Mt. Horeb, WI 53572.
Follow Upper Sugar on Facebook and Instagram for the latest program updates, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities.
OUR TEAM
We have a very dedicated staff and outstanding volunteer board members. Learn a little more about these fantastic people and what inspires them to care for the Upper Sugar River Watershed.
Our Staff
Jasmine Wyant
Executive Director/
Invasive Species Program Coordinator
pronouns - She/They
executivedirector@uppersugar.org
608-437-7707
Jasmine was born in the Midwest and earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in Wisconsin with focuses in surface mine reclamation and restoration ecology respectively. Jasmine has worked extensively in conservation and education while in positions as a natural resource contractor, with natural resource conservation nonprofits like the Prairie Enthusiasts and Goldensands RC&D Inc, and as an instructor of animal biology at UW-Madison.
Jasmine enjoys gardening with her cats, playing ultimate frisbee, and any activity that gets her out amongst the fellow residents of the land and water like hiking, kayaking, camping, and nature photography.
Grace Martin
Invasive Species Technician/ Volunteer and Communications Coordinator
pronouns - She/They
608-465-6383
Grace is from central Wisconsin and grew up playing in bodies of water such as the Wisconsin River, Buffalo Lake, and Lake Michigan. Grace graduated from UW-Madison in 2022, and since then has worked as a political fellow, software tester, and organic vegetable farmer.
Grace enjoys indoor activities such as reading, painting, and playing Dungeons and Dragons, and outdoor activities such as skating (both ‘roller’ and ‘ice’), birding, gardening, swimming, and foraging for plants and fungi.
Our Board
Scott Cramer
Board President
Scott, his wife Joan and their two sons live in Verona and frequently paddle the Sugar River; he grew up in Grafton, Wisconsin and has lived in the Madison area since 2000. Scott graduated from Western Michigan University in 1991 and has worked in the environmental consulting field since graduation. Currently he is Vice President – Senior Environmental Manager at KL Engineering, Inc. in Madison. Scott and his family are ardent outdoor enthusiasts, enjoying the paddling, hiking, cycling, skiing and many other outdoor opportunities the area offers. He has volunteered for numerous environmental organizations and causes and also is a volunteer and coach in the Verona Area School District.
Kelley Maynard
Board Vice President
Kelly's bio is in progress. Please check back soon.
Kate Beardmore
Board Treasurer
Originally from Green Bay, Kate moved to Southern Wisconsin in 2017 after receiving her Master in Public Health from St. George’s University. Kate currently works a Students Services Coordinator for the Master of Public Health Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, focusing primarily on the admissions process, and advising graduate and professional students. It was through her public health education that Kate became interested in environmental preservation, and the influence an individual can have as well as the influence of organizations and policy. As a lover of the outdoors, Kate enjoys hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing and birding. Kate hopes to apply her experience in volunteer recruitment and coordination to help the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association as well as learn more about grant writing.
David Laufenberg
Board Member
Dave grew up alongside the headwaters of the Sugar River near Pine Bluff, Wisconsin and attended university at UW - Madison. Following graduation, he headed west and began a decade-long affair with the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Dave guided students of all ages and backgrounds in the Park, studied the restoration of a high country pine tree, and completed graduate school at Montana State University in Bozeman. In late 2022 he returned home to be closer to family and work on the restoration of their farm lands. Dave began work as a Restoration Ecologist for Adaptive Restoration in November 2023.
Stephanie Gauthier
Board Member
Stephanie is the owner of Sugar River Yarns in Mount Horeb, a business she opened in 2025 after a long career in public transportation. Stephanie grew up in NE Wisconsin, and received her BS in Urban and Regional Studies from UW-Green Bay. Out of a desire to help preserve agricultural and undeveloped land, Stephanie went on to graduate school for Land Use Planning at Portland State University in Oregon. After returning to Wisconsin, Stephanie eventually transitioned to working in public transportation - a field she believes is intrinsically connected to sustainability. Stephanie currently serves on the Mount Horeb Plan Commission and is excited to contribute to the Upper Sugar Watershed Association.
Bill Roznik
Board Member
Bill's bio is in progress. Please check back soon.
Dan Shirley
Board Member
Dan moved to Wisconsin in 2013 to work as a physician at UW Health. He and his wife operate a small fiber farm in Springdale and spend their free time caring for animals and managing the land which includes two streams that feed into the Sugar River. He has a longstanding interest in conservation and is excited to be part of this great organization!
Jeff Kramer
Board Member
Jeff's bio is in progress.
Join Our Board
Becoming a board member of the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association (USRWA) offers several personal and professional benefits while contributing to the health of the local environment.
In short, serving on the board of USRWA provides the opportunity to have a lasting positive effect on the environment while developing valuable skills and fostering community connections. If you are interested in serving on our Board please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form below and we will be in touch with you shortly with information on how to apply.
PARTNERS
Our partnerships are crucial for our continued success as an organization. Together we can collectively have a much greater impact on the health of our watershed than we can individually. We proud to call the following organizations our partners.
Partners
Non-Profit Partners
Mt. Horeb Community Foundation