The Northwoods Land Trust (NWLT) recently welcomed two new members to its board of directors. Ron Eckstein and H.K. (Kirk) Mueller bring a knowledge and experience in ecology/wildlife management and financial/organization skills, respectively.  

Eckstein has been stationed with the Wisconsin Departement of Natural Resources in Rhinelander for his entire 36-year career.

Eckstein was one of two wildlife biologists covering Vilas, Oneida and Forest counties, and served as the statewide coordinator for the eagle and osprey conservation and survey work. He specialized in forest ecology, raptor management and wild rice conservation. He also worked on big and small game management, property management, wetland management, wildlife surveys, wildlife talks and as a special conservation officer. During Eckstein’s career, he banded about 1,500 eaglets in their nests, and erected more than 70 osprey nest platforms. Eckstein retired in 2010 but is still an official volunteer and “emeritus” wildlife biologist at DNR working on eagle, osprey and forest ecology.

Mueller moved to the Northwoods full time in 2010. Mueller’s corporate career in Dallas and Chicago included nearly two decades as an officer or director of multi-national companies including Santa Fe Railroad, Hyatt Corporation, Braniff Airlines, and Premark International. His experience and leadership responsibilities included organization development, labor relations and human resources, mergers, acquisitions and restructurings, retirement and benefit plans, governance and ethics. 

From 2000 until his recent semi-retirement, Mueller supported dozens of non-profit organizations including NWLT. His consulting engagements covered strategic planning, organization assessments, executive coaching, leadership and board development, and capital campaigns. He co-led the startup of an executive succession consulting practice. Mueller started and leads two small, private non-profits: a grant-maker and an operating foundation devoted to Federal constitutional reform and debt restructuring.   

Mueller’s avocations have included managing two modest-size family farms and a certified Tree Farm.  His interests include history, music, and advocacy for federal debt restructuring on behalf of future generations.

The Northwoods Land Trust is a member and volunteer-supported, nonprofit conservation organization. The mission of the land trust is to help private landowners permanently conserve their family lands. Based in Eagle River, NWLT works in areas of Vilas, Oneida, Forest, Florence, Iron, Price and northern Langlade counties.

Since NWLT was organized in 2001, the land trust has permanently protected over 9,600 acres of land and 48 miles of lake and river shorelines.  

For more information, call Brian Pierce at 715-479-2490 or visit their website at www.northwoodslandtrust.org.