Denise joined the team in 2026 as the John Redmond Watershed Coordinator.
Originally from the eastern U.S., Denise is a longtime resident of the Flint Hills of Kansas. She grew up in southwest Florida, exploring beaches and estuaries, and spent summers in Catskill Mountain streams, cultivating a deep connection with water and the natural world. Denise returned to upstate New York to earn her B.S. in Wildlife Science before moving to eastern Kansas, where she earned her M.S. in Biology from Emporia State University.
Denise has experience working in state and federal conservation roles with KDWP and the National Park Service. She brings a strong background in avian ecology and conservation land management. Denise values the challenge of integrating diverse ecological tools and strategies to meet the needs of specific spaces and enjoys all things GIS. She believes in the importance of collaboration and looks forward to fostering existing relationships as well as building new partnerships in her role.
Outside of her professional life, Denise lives in Emporia with her partner and four rescue pups. She enjoys a mix of hobbies, from birding, biking, and kayaking to crafting, reading, and learning new skills. She has run the local women’s disc golf league in Emporia for more than ten years and loves creating community and a space for new players to learn the sport.
