Patrick shares his guidance, leadership, and foresight to progressively grow, serve, and protect the Monk Botanical Gardens facilities for generations to come. Over the past 25 years, he has overseen the successful growth and development of YMCA and non-profit camps and programs throughout the Midwest. He enjoys watching people of all ages make new discoveries and enjoy the sights and sounds of the greater outdoors.

Linda plays a key role in connecting new visitors and current supporters with their passion for unique projects and partnerships throughout the Gardens. At the core of her work, Linda has spent the last 17 years striving to build lasting donor relationships for nonprofits in the Wisconsin Rapids area. The opportunity to connect with nature brings a fresh perspective to her day, and she feels privileged to be in a position to share what a tremendous asset we have available to residents of the Wausau region and beyond. If you’d like to discuss giving options at the Gardens, Linda would be happy to help!

Kaytie started her journey with Monk Botanical Gardens as an environmental education intern in 2019. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and a Professional Science Master’s Degree in Conservation Biology. Her favorite part of her job is sparking curiosity about the natural world in the children she works with. She thinks the best time of day in the Gardens is first thing in the morning, when everything is peaceful and the day’s adventures lie ahead.

Megan has nearly a decade of experience leading and supporting nonprofit programming and holds a Master’s Degree in Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems. Driven by her interest in sustainability and healthy communities, Megan is excited to support community members’ engagement with the Gardens and help foster an appreciation for the environment. She loves to marvel at the plant varieties in the Kitchen Garden and think of ideas for her next cooking adventure.

During her years as a horticulturist, Pat has grown everything from annuals to veggies, managed native areas to formal perennial gardens, and consulted on tree care and IPM (Integrated Pest Management). But as our “boots on the ground” Garden Supervisor, she is most excited about connecting with our volunteers and visitors. “There is always a new plant or new person I want to get to know better,” she says. She invites questions and plant talk so look for her at the Gardens!

Kari has a Business Administration Degree and over 25 years of Financial Management and Bookkeeping experience. She started as a contractor of the Gardens and now joins its staff. Since she does not have a green thumb, she is excited to support the vision and mission of the Gardens by providing a service that she excels in – working with numbers! She enjoys weekly kayaks in the summer, hiking year-round, and anything that will allow her to be outdoors.

With five years of experience in education and training in School Psychology, Amanda is thrilled to be a part of the Sprouts Garden Preschool team! The best part of working with early learners in the play yard and Gardens is the opportunity to be expansive across developmental areas. “I can see the love of nature and learning growing in our students every day, in a space that allows them to flourish, and that’s amazing!” Amanda’s favorite space in the Gardens to refresh is the Shade and Hosta Garden.

Sadie is excited to share her love and curiosity of nature in her role as a Lead Teacher. When Sadie discovered Sprouts she was thrilled to enroll both of her daughters into the program from the very start. Sadie worked in the Military and as a volunteer with Girl Scouts and loved the impact she made for her community within those roles. Now she is excited to be a part of a team that works so hard to serve, educate and inspire the Wausau community.

Sarah has always enjoyed working with children and enjoying nature, and she brings these loves to her role. She discovered the Tots in the Gardens program for her sons and loves the role that the Gardens plays in the Wausau community. Sarah holds a B.A. in Interpersonal Communication and an M.A. in Public Administration.

Beth comes with 18 years of dedicated service in education, including 8 years in preschool and the remainder as a paraprofessional special education assistant. Her journey in education has been about nurturing young minds and supporting the needs of all students. Beyond working at the Gardens, Beth enjoys time with her family where they tend to their pumpkin patch and wildflower gardens. Beth is grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in our youngest learners.

Lauryn loves spending time with children in the outdoors and helping them to explore the natural world with their deep curiosity and wonder. She graduated from UW – Stevens Point in 2023 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Education and Interpretation and quickly discovered a passion for early education. During her college years, Lauryn led the “Kids Climb” program at the UWSP Climbing Wall, where she helped young students conquer their fears and reach new heights. She is super proud to be a part of the Sprouts team and loves spending each day with her amazing students!

Monk Botanical Gardens represents a unique community asset that affords users and guests a serene, invigorating and educational experience of a type lacking in so many other aspects of daily life. It is a meaningful and beneficial endeavor to further develop and promote the Gardens for the use and enjoyment of persons across Wisconsin and beyond. My involvement with the Board of Directors affords me the opportunity and honor to contribute to these worthy goals.

The Monk Botanical Gardens is a special asset that enhances and enriches Wausau and surrounding communities with natural assets. It’s exciting to be part of something that provides economic benefits to our communities by dedicating a space that celebrates why we choose to live and work in this place we call home.

As a graduate student in Madison, I was fortunate to live just a short walk away from Olbrich Gardens. I learned that botanical gardens bring so much to their community, including education, unique events, a tranquil and beautiful refuge, and economic development from out-of-town visitors. When the idea of Monk Botanical Gardens arose here in Wausau in the early 2000s, I jumped at the opportunity to help make it happen and have been serving on the board ever since.

After a tour of the Gardens, I was so impressed by the landscaping and could immediately see the potential for it to be a staple in Wausau, like the 400 Block. I also believe that Sprouts Preschool’s philosophy of getting students to learn through exploration is unique and effective.

It is a privilege to be part of a place that significantly enhances the quality of life and health of our community. The Gardens is also a retention and attraction asset for our area’s employers and quite simply it makes me happy to go there to walk, to learn, to plant and to enjoy the Gardens’ events. I am proud to be a part of Wausau’s Happy Place.

One of my favorite Mary Oliver quotes is “pay attention, be astonished, tell about it.” And that sums up why I was inspired to join the Monk Botanical Gardens Board. Each visit to the Gardens fills me with a sense of wonderment as I slow down and take in the beauty of nature. Serving on the Board allows me the opportunity to tell about it and encourage others to become part of Wausau’s Happy Place.

When a community need and one’s personal passions align it makes sense to be engaged in meeting that community need. As a proponent of lifelong education, I view the Gardens as a place to connect people of all ages to the land. The survival of a habitable planet earth depends on it.

Some places seem to define a community, that reflect its spirit and character. I saw that potential in Monk Botanical Gardens in its early years and have been an advocate ever since. Wausau has many amenities found in larger, prestigious cities… with the exception, until recently, of a destination-worthy botanical garden. Monk Botanical Gardens can check that box! Joining the board allows me to serve as a more official ambassador and steward of the Gardens’ respectfully curated nature, living art, and charismatic spaces. It’s an honor to help continue the growth of this fresh, exciting attraction in central Wisconsin. “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.

As we live in a world that continues to operate in a fast-paced environment, the Gardens allows our community members an opportunity to slow down, relax, and truly enjoy the fundamental reasons as to why nature is a crucial part of our livelihoods. It serves as a place for people to connect through all seasons with friends, family, and nature, whether that be by strolling through the Gardens, learning something new at one of the events or simply sitting down to relax and admire a view. My hope as a Board Member is to be able to connect more community members with the benefits that the Gardens offers and that it inspires them to cultivate their own space with nature.

Monk Botanical Gardens is a place where cherished memories are formed, where children are inspired to learn and explore, and where individuals of all generations find renewed inspiration and connection with nature. Being a part of this Board fills me with excitement and gratitude as we work together to ensure that the Gardens continues to thrive and fulfill its essential role in enriching the lives of everyone in our community.