MEET LIZ PELTON!
Membership & Development Associate since April 2024
Liz hiking in the Driftless Area (photo courtesy of Liz).
My name is Liz (she/her) and I’ve worked in conservation fundraising for almost a decade. Nature has always been an important part of my life and I’m honored to spend my days working to protect it.
I grew up in a small town just outside of Madison and spent lots of time outdoors exploring Six Mile Creek and going on family camping trips at Wisconsin State Parks. I earned a B.A. in English (with a minor in Art) from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. I started my career as a medical editor in pharmaceutical research, but knew I wanted to find more meaning in my work.
That led me to the nonprofit world. I worked at the International Crane Foundation and Groundswell Conservancy doing everything from gift processing to grant writing to event planning. I love connecting with supporters and learning why they care about local conservation.
Why did you want to join the team at Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance?
A couple friends of mine worked for Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance in the past and they had wonderful things to say about the organization. I felt confident that the work culture would be a good fit and I was excited to join a team of bird nerds again. And SoWBA’s values of respect, curiosity, community, and accountability resonated with me. I was impressed with how they handled their name change and their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
What's your favorite bird?
I’m a huge fan of the American Crow. They’re incredibly smart birds and I love their sleek black feathers and spooky vibe. Plus, their caws make my daughter laugh which is the best sound in the world!
Name your top three favorite outdoor places.
Liz and her family camping at Kohler-Andrae State Park (photo courtesy of Liz).
The shores of Lake Michigan (specially Kohler-Andrae State Park and Peninsula State Park). I love settling into a cozy spot on the beach with a good book and listening to the waves. And nothing beats waking up to the sound of water and birds.
Natural Path Sanctuary, a natural burial ground, at the Farley Center in Verona. A dear friend of mine is buried there and I find it such a peaceful place to visit. It’s really powerful to spend time in a natural space where life and death feel very present and intermingled.
Westport Prairie is a favorite spot. I spent a lot of time there while working at Groundswell Conservancy and continue to go there when I’m in the mood for a short, lovely hike. My whole family has helped with prairie restoration efforts there—from collecting seed by hand to planting prairie in knee-deep snow. There’s a strong sense of community among people, plants, and animals at Westport Prairie.
Share something cool you've learned since joining the team.
American Woodcock (photo by Peter Rea/USFWS Midwest).
One of my first outings with Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance was to see an American Woodcock dance at Cherokee Marsh. American Woodcocks usually appear just after twilight. We waited about 20 minutes and it started to rain, so our group decided to call it and try again another night. But as we were heading back to the parking lot, a male Woodcock appeared on the path in front of us. He started his ritual by peent-ing on the ground and then suddenly flew hundreds of feet up into the sky until he was just a speck. Then he came spiraling back down to the ground with a loud whistle and repeated the dance again and again. I’d never seen anything like it!
Cover image: An American Crow perches on a log (photo via Pixabay).
