Getting to Know Us

Getting to Know Us: Chris Oberholster

Chris Oberholster is SGI’s newest addition to our Leadership Team as our Director of Philanthropy. Chris has a BS in Grassland Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, which is the equivalent of a Range Science/Management degree here in the U.S. He then earned a Master’s in Agronomy at Auburn University (yes, he really studied cows at a “cow college”!) Chris began a PhD in Ecology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he studied under Dr. Ed Clebsch, but he did not complete those studies as he had an opportunity to return to Alabama to work for The Nature Conservancy as a Community Ecologist at the Alabama Natural Heritage Program. Scroll down to learn more about Chris!

Q: Were you always interested in nature & the outdoors, and how did you get interested in grassland ecosystems?

My love for grasslands developed early in life as I grew up surrounded by the diverse mountain grasslands of eastern South Africa. My interest in grasslands grew out of my childhood interest in birdwatching, followed by a growing interest in identifying the rich flora in the grasslands and forests of the local 2,000 acre Vryheid Hill Nature Preserve, where I would explore with my family and friends. My academic training then built on that early interest.

A photo of rugged, mountainous eastern South African grasslands of Chris’s childhood.

Q: What did you do prior to coming to SGI?

I have been involved in biodiversity conservation in a variety of roles, including plant and habitat surveys, stewardship of lands including prescribed burning, lobbying at the state and federal levels, and fundraising. Most recently I was the Director of External Affairs for The Nature Conservancy in Alabama, where I advocated for conservation policy and funding in the Alabama Legislature and U.S. Congress. Prior to that I was the Development Director for Alabama Audubon.

What is your role within SGI?

As Director of Philanthropy for SGI, my role is to facilitate private funding support for the SGI mission from individuals, foundations and corporations.

What are you most excited about when it comes to working with SGI?

The challenge of securing the financial resources to protect and restore Southern grasslands at the massive scale needed to match the urgency that is necessary.

What are some of your hobbies?

Some are perhaps obvious since they are nature-connected, like birding and growing native plants. I also enjoy deer hunting and making my own biltong, the South African style jerky, and stamp collecting. 

Anything else you want to share with us?

After having experienced some of the formidable challenges facing those who try to conserve the natural world, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all people, whether nonprofit or government agency staff, volunteers, board members, donors, and decisionmakers, who help to protect and restore biodiversity anywhere on the Earth. And a special thanks to my family in the US and across the world for also appreciating nature.

Blog prepared by Dr. Eleanor Lopez, SGI Communications Specialist.

Getting to Know Us: Dwayne Estes

Dwayne Estes is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Southeastern Grasslands Institute. He is also a Professor of Biology and Principal Investigator with the Center of Excellence for Field Biology at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN where he has mentored more than a dozen graduate students. His enthusiasm and love of Southeastern grasslands, botany, and natural history is infectious as anyone who has had the opportunity to talk with him can attest. Recently we sat down with Dwayne to learn a little more about him and his role at the Southeastern Grasslands Institute.

Getting to Know Us: Jared Gorrell

Jared Gorrell is a graduate student of Dr. Dwayne Estes, SGI’s Executive Director, at Austin Peay State University (APSU). Jared earned his Bachelor’s degree in Botany from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2019. As a graduate student at APSU, Jared is focusing on a botany and ecology at an SGI project site, the Sumter Farm, located in Geiger, Alabama. He’s hoping to achieve his Master’s degree by December 2023. Recently we sat down with Jared to learn a little more about him and his role at SGI.

Getting to Know Us: Laura Hunt

Laura Hunt is the Volunteer Coordinator for the Southeastern Grasslands Initiative. She joined SGI in 2021. Laura brings an abundance of energy, passion, and enthusiasm to the team. Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences from Lipscomb University’s Institute for Sustainable Practices. Recently we sat down with Laura to learn a little more about her and her role at the Southeastern Grasslands Initiative.

Getting to Know Us: Reed Noss

Reed Noss is the Southeastern Grasslands Initiative’s Chief Science Advisor and the author of the book, Forgotten Grasslands of the South. Reed brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and expertise in a wide variety of areas to the SGI Team. His educational background includes a B.S. in Education with an emphasis in outdoor and environmental education from the University of Dayton, an M.S. in Ecology from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville, and a PhD in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Florida. Recently we sat down with Reed to learn a little more about him and his role at SGI.

Getting to Know Us: Layla Dunlap

Layla Dunlap joined the Southeastern Grasslands Initiative in early January 2022 as our first Director of Finance and Operations. Layla brings with her a wide variety of professional experiences. Her educational background includes an M.S. in Natural Resources from the University of Idaho where her research focused on different techniques for growing native plants for restoration. She also has a B.A. in Biology from the University of Montana. Recently we sat down with Layla to learn a little more about her and her role at SGI.