American Rivers Announces Michael Sertle as Central Regional Director
Contact:
Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145
Mike Sertle, 815-238-3017
American Rivers announced today that Michael Sertle is joining the organization as its new Senior Director for the Central Region. Sertle has more than two decades of experience in river conservation and floodplain restoration, with a focus on public and private lands of the Upper Mississippi and Missouri River basins.
“Rivers and the clean, safe water they provide are vital to this region. Mike has deep roots on these rivers and a long track record of success advancing solutions that revitalize river health and strengthen communities. We are thrilled to welcome him to the American Rivers team,” said Heather Taylor-Miesle, Senior Vice President for Conservation.
“I’m excited to join American Rivers and bring my experience and knowledge of river conservation to the organization,” said Sertle. “Growing up and working on these rivers has taught me to love their uniqueness and appreciate the importance of protecting and restoring these systems for people, wildlife, and future generations.”
Prior to joining American Rivers, Mike served as manager of conservation programs for the Big Rivers Initiative at Ducks Unlimited, covering Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Indiana, and oversaw conservation program planning, budget management, and habitat restoration.
Previous positions include regional biologist at Ducks Unlimited, where he delivered conservation programs in Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois, and researcher at the USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center where he studied endangered wildlife, waterfowl migration, and wetland carbon sequestration.
Originally from the Driftless area of northwestern Illinois, Mike spent most of his life growing up on the Mississippi River and its tributaries.He received a B.S. from Western Illinois University in zoology and an M.S. from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale in wetland ecology.
Mike is based in the St. Louis area and begins at American Rivers on September 9.
About American Rivers
American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers staff, supporters, and partners have shared a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers. For more information, please visit www.AmericanRivers.org