Mission
Restore. Protect. Sustain.
Mission
Restore. Protect. Sustain.
above: the Village of Mount Pleasant's restoration of the North Branch of the Pike River
Mission
Restore, protect and sustain the Root-Pike basin watersheds through the funding and facilitation of a regional network of locally initiated projects
Pike River, Root River, Oak Creek, Pike Creek and Wind Point Watershed
History
History
above: the Village of Mount Pleasant's restoration of the North Branch of the Pike River
History
A RIVER RESOURCE SINCE 1998
Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network is a 501(c)3 non-profit formed in 1998 by the Department of Natural Resources and other watershed stakeholders to restore, protect and sustain the five watersheds of Southeastern Wisconsin. Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network brings municipalities, private citizens, donors and environmental experts from the Root-Pike basin together to improve water quality, restore natural habitats, reduce storm water runoff and create places where people want to live, work and invest. In 2007, we helped design and implement the Keep Our Waters Clean program to help municipalities meet their storm water permit requirements. In 2008, we began the Rain Garden Initiative, which put in place more than 100 rain gardens and 60 rain barrels. We also awarded over $545,000 in small grants to more than 100 local conservation projects in the Root-Pike Watershed since our inception.
Over the past five years, we have helped SEWRPC with the planning, and now leading the implementation of the EPA-approved, 9-element Root River Watershed Restoration Plan. We took the lead in planning and implementation of the 9-element Pike River and Wind Point Watershed Plans. Currently, we are assisting SEWRPC in the planning process for the Oak Creek Watershed Restoration Plan. Our intent is to begin the fundraising for a Watershed Restoration Plan for the Pike Creek watershed in 2017. We believe our next 20 years is best served restoring the five watersheds via EPA-approved, 9-key element Watershed Restoration Plans.
Projects
Projects
Projects
Root-Pike WIN has a 15-year history of moving projects forward in the Root-Pike basin. Root-Pike WIN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2001, and has awarded $545,000 in small grants to more than 100 local conservation projects in the five watersheds we serve since our inception.
Today, we are focused on planning and implementing EPA-approved, 9-key element watershed restoration plans. Our strategy is focused on advancing the recommendations deemed “critical” in these 9-key element plans in order to affect the greatest change.
Please contact Dave Giordano at dave@rootpikewin.org for more information about moving projects forward.
Board
Board
Board
Michael Luba - President
Root-Pike Basin Supervisor (retired)
Department of Natural Resources
Carl Holburn - Vice President
Lawyer
TBD
Joann Speca - Secretary
Senior Regulatory Specialist
UnitQ, LLC
Jim Small - Treasurer
CPA & Partner
Gordon J. Meier
Carl Holburn
Lawyer
Independent
Roger Chernik
Community Leader/Past President
Root-Pike WIN / River Bend Nature Center
Joshua Sopczak
Vice President Commercial Lending
Town Bank Racine
Bill Sasse
Director of Engineering (retired)
Village of Mount Pleasant
John Scripp - Director
Independent Attorney
Formerly of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek
Chris Meier
Project Executive
Riley Construction
Grace Girard
Community Affairs Associate
SC Johnson
Jeff Cologna
Category Manager
UScellular
Suze Jeester
Executive Director
Driftless Women on the Fly
Staff
Staff
above: the Village of Mount Pleasant's restoration of the North Branch of the Pike River
Root-Pike WIN Staff
Passion for These Rivers
Dave Giordano
Executive Director
Dave is a former Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network board member and leads the communications, fundraising, and operations of Root-Pike WIN with a goal of connecting partnerships with projects. Dave brings a background in marketing and has held a variety of director-level roles throughout his career. He has also been involved with non-profit organizations such as the Trout Unlimited, Safe & Sound, Kenosha Sport Fishing and Conservation Association, UW-Milwaukee Minority Mentor program, Ovation Awards, and the Pike River Revival. He has a BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design and MS from American Intercontinental University. Dave grew up a frequent visitor to the Pike River as a biker, hiker, runner, canoe paddler, and fly-fisherman.
SHELBY SERRITELLA
Program Manager
Shelby joins Root-Pike WIN as the new Program Manager for Watershed Education and Action, where she will lead key initiatives including Respect Our Waters, the Kenosha Regenerative Producers Group, and the Stormwater Pond Playbook. She brings strong experience in environmental project management, community outreach, and sustainability education from her work at ILM Environments and the City of Lake Forest. Shelby holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and an M.S. in Environmental Science & Sustainability from Loyola University Chicago, and she is a Westosha Central High School graduate. Her expertise, leadership, and passion for watershed health make her an exceptional addition to the team. She enjoys volleyball, hiking remote trails, and cooking her grandmother’s favorite recipes.
Amy Kolb
Bookkeeper
amy@rootpikewin.org
As Bookkeeper for Root-Pike WIN, Amy Kolb oversees the organization’s accounting functions with precision and professionalism. She holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business management from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and has experience in a variety of accounting roles across small and mid-sized organizations. Under her direction, Root-Pike WIN’s accounting systems have become more efficient and reliable. One of her key achievements includes leading the migration to a web-based version of QuickBooks featuring advanced project management capabilities. Amy also manages bookkeeping for her family’s grain farm in Racine County.
Reports
Reports
Annual Reports
Root-Pike WIN's Annual Report for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024.
Root-Pike WIN's Annual Report for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022.
Root-Pike WIN's Annual Report for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021.
Root-Pike WIN's Annual Report for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018 and ending June 30, 2019.
Root-Pike WIN's Annual Report for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018.
Root-Pike WIN's Annual Report for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017.
Root-Pike WIN's Annual Report for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2016.
n/a
2014-2015
Root-Pike WIN's Annual Report for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2014.
Root-Pike WIN's Annual Report for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2012 and ending June 30, 2013.
Root-Pike WIN's Annual Report for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011 and ending June 30, 2012.