Van der Brohe Arboretum
and Bird Sanctuary
3800 Lincoln Ave
Two Rivers, WI 54241
vanderbrohearboretum.org
Directors:
Erin Gonnerman
Chair and Treasurer
Jenifer Klein;
Vice Chair
Brian Henrickson;
Secretary
Advisory Board:
Joseph Brandt
Van der Brohe Arboretum,
Inc. is a tax-exempt,
501(c)(3) charitable
organization. We
acknowledge
contributions are made
solely for charitable
purposes. VDBA does not
provide goods or services
in exchange.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Van der Brohe Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary
development@vanderbrohearboretum.org
920-460-6553
www.vanderbrohearboretum.org
Van der Brohe Arboretum Announces Leadership Transition
New Executive Director, Board Chair Poised to Advance Conservation and Community Engagement
TWO RIVERS, Wis. (June 20, 2025) — Van der Brohe Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary (VDBA), a 65-acre
natural preserve and public greenspace serving northeast Wisconsin, announces a leadership
transition that marks a new era for the organization.
Founder and Director John Durbrow has formally stepped down after leading the organization
through its founding and early years of visionary growth. Under Durbrow’s leadership, the Arboretum
transformed from the grounds of the former Emerald Hills Golf Course into a vibrant conservation
hub and civic amenity.
As part of this transition, board member Erin Gonnerman has been named Chair of the Board of
Directors, and Lyssa Schmidt, a nonprofit professional with a background in strategic communications
and community development, has been appointed Executive Director.
“The caliber of the individuals assuming enhanced responsibilities and their commitment to the
missions and mandates inherent in the governance of VDBA will enhance the growth and stability of
the enterprise,” a statement from Durbrow reads. “Of note, promoting Lyssa, a resident of Little
Chute, to the role of Executive Director will imbue the organization with a regional focus
commensurate with the range of interest in the civic amenity of the Arboretum. The reorganized
Board is populated with individuals bringing a clear focus to the essential mission of VDBA. The sum
of the changes portends for the Arboretum an elevated vibrancy and a strong future.”
Schmidt brings a decade of experience working with mission-driven organizations, including
leadership roles in media, marketing, and nonprofit development. She holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in
Print Journalism from UW-Eau Claire, an MBA from Florida Institute of Technology and a Certificate in
Nonprofit Leadership Management. She is the founder of a small business that provides grant writing
services to small and early stage nonprofits. As Executive Director, she will lead efforts to expand
environmental education partnerships, deepen community engagement, and secure sustainable
funding for VDBA’s restoration and programming initiatives.
Gonnerman is a long-time resident of Two Rivers and active community member. She formerly served
as Vice President of the Two Rivers City Council, and brings her commitment to the city and its
residents to her role as Chair of the VDBA Board.
Located in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, VDBA serves as both a refuge for over 140 species of resident and
migratory birds and a destination for individuals seeking connection with nature. With accessible
trails, interactive installations, and restored meadows, wetlands, and woodlands, the arboretum
offers a vital green space along the Lake Michigan flyway.
