Julie Uram, Executive Director (she/her)
Julie Uram, Executive Director
julie@natureattheconfluence.com | 815-200-6910
Julie Uram joined Nature At The Confluence in Spring 2022 as our full-time Executive Director. She studied Environmental Sustainability and Sociology at Drake University, where she
also completed a Master of Arts in Communication focused in Public Affairs and Advocacy. Julie was born and raised in Rockford, IL and became passionate about helping her community connect with nature while serving as the 815 Outside AmeriCorps member at Severson Dells Nature Center. She also spent time assisting the Community Science programs in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County. Most recently she worked as the Communications and Development Manager at Angelic Organics Learning Center where she coordinated fundraising and marketing efforts.
Julie is honored by the opportunity to work with the community to restore such a critical and special piece of land. She is particularly excited to work with local youth and school groups and to spend time outdoors every day. Julie’s favorite part about this area, and what keeps her here, is the people. She is dedicated to increasing equity and accessibility in the environmental education field and ensuring that Nature at the Confluence is a welcoming and safe place for all community members. In her free time, Julie enjoys supporting local restaurants and playing underwater hockey.
Therese Oldenburg, Programming & Education
Therese Oldenburg, Programming & Education (she/her)
therese@natureattheconfluence.com
Therese has been involved with Nature At The Confluence since it was just a concept in 2014 when she worked on the Beloit 2020 (now Beloit 200) committee to help plan and bring the project to fruition. When the nature center opened in 2017, she stepped in as part-time Executive Director until 2022 when a full-time director was hired. Therese continues to help bring the space to life through education and programming. Therese is a Wisconsin Master Naturalist and owns a marketing and web design business, Firepoint Media, which specializes in assisting non-profits and small businesses. Therese is a board member of the Rock River Trail, and co-founder of Be Active Outdoors and “Friends of Turtle Creek“.
Therese has been recognized as Northwest Quarterly’s 25 Most Interesting People of 2021, and with the “Elly” Environmental Leadership Award from the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce and a Rockford Park District Community Service Award among other recognitions. When she’s not at the nature center, you’ll find her enjoying her other interests, such as kayaking, hiking, genealogy, and photography.
Elizabeth Allen, Summer Intern
Elizabeth Allen, Summer Intern (she/her)
Ani Adhikary, Summer AmeriCorps Member
Ani Adhikary, Summer AmeriCorps Member (he/him)
Ken Forbeck, Summer Intern
Ken Forbeck, Summer Intern (he/him)
Year in college: Junior
College/University: UW-Madison
Major: Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies
Number of years volunteering or working with Nature At The Confluence: Volunteering since Summer 2018, working since Spring 2021
Favorite part of this job: Being able to see the curiosity and joy of the kids we help connect with the natural world.
Favorite thing about South Beloit and Beloit: So hard to say. I love all the great people in the community who work to make it better constantly.
Nature At The Confluence Board
Lena Verkuilen- President
Andre De Kok – Vice President
Tony Jacobson-Treasurer
Carl Lange – Secretary
Rob Clark
Deb McCann
Dianne Morrison
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