Our Staff

Kristine Micheletti joined us in April 2026, following an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education fellowship with the USDA Midwest Climate Hub in Ames, where she evaluated informational resources on climate and their value to the agricultural industry. She completed her PhD at Iowa State University in 2025, where she focused on capacity building of agricultural and environmental educators to effectively engage with underserved communities.

Growing up in Illinois, Kristine‘s passion for natural resources began in her youth with visits to parks, zoos, and family fishing trips. Her passion continued as she studied zoology and psychology at Drake University for her undergraduate years. She began exploring the human and cultural aspects of conservation when she studied the relationship between people and chimpanzees in Senegal for her master’s, which she completed at Iowa State University. 

Kristine has been involved with conservation and education in central Iowa for years, serving as an environmental education intern at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, an assistant naturalist at Polk County Conservation, and a conservation coordinator at Blank Park Zoo. In these roles, she developed and delivered programs and initiatives focused on sustainability, waste reduction, native habitat restoration, wildlife conservation, and outdoor recreation – helping individuals connect everyday actions at home with broader environmental stewardship.  

Kristine is well-positioned to lead Prairie Rivers forward in its mission of natural resource conservation and community-based environmental stewardship. She brings a strong vision for strengthening and advancing community access to Iowa’s agricultural and environmental resources.

Jeanie Hau joined PRI in 2023.  As the coordinator for the Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway and Iowa Valley Scenic Byway, she works with communities across the state to preserve their historic landmarks and natural beauty and promote their unique businesses and attractions.  A favorite part of the job is travelling the byways and seeing the reactions on Facebook to the treasures she encounters along the way!

Jeanie has a background in landscape architecture, with experience writing cultural landscape histories for the National Parks Service and facilities planning at Iowa State University.  Before joining PRI, she raised children Arabella, Audrey and Joshua and volunteered in her community (Madrid).  In her spare time, she applies her landscape design skills to her flower garden and also enjoys reading and thrift shopping.

Katelyn Rinicker joined PRI in July of 2024.  She is working with the City of Ames and volunteers to implement the Pollinator-Friendly Community Plan.  She is excited to educate the public on how every individual can be active in conservation!

Katelyn graduated from Bemidji State University with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies with an emphasis in ecosystems. Following college, Katelyn joined the Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa, collecting data on Monarch butterflies, harvesting seed from prairie plants, and restoring native habitat. In her free time, Katelyn likes to visit breweries, go for nature walks, and work on home improvements with her husband—including restoring their backyard to prairie!

Carman Rosburg is our longest-serving employee, having filled various roles in volunteer, part-time, and full-time capacities since 2005.  As the office administrator, Carman manages the organization’s accounts and payroll, answers the phone, and does dozens of other tasks to keep us running.  Her experience has given her an appreciation for the long-term partnerships and dedication to mission that goes into the work of an environmental non-profit, and the difference we can make for the places we live and work.

Along with her husband Tom, Carman is active in many organizations that preserve and restore prairies.  They live on a 32-acre farm near Colo, raising free range Berkshire hogs in the summer, a few laying hens, and a large garden, along with cats, a dog, and a rabbit.  In her spare time, she enjoys visiting her grown children and grandkids and cheering on the Cyclones and Packers.

Shellie Orngard joined the staff in 2021 after serving on the Board.  She currently works to inventory properties near the Lincoln Highway in Iowa that are on the National Register of Historic Places.  She is especially proud of the multimedia travelling exhibit about the Lincoln Highway that she created while serving as the interim byway coordinator, which (so far) has been seen by hundreds of people in eight counties.

Shellie is a retired English professor with skills in writing, editing and non-profit management.  In her spare time she enjoys travel and listening to all kinds of live music, including the Des Moines Metro Opera.