Our board
Our Board is made up of voluntary members who help guide Flannel River’s key executive decisions.
our board members
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bretta chaplinksi
BOARD MEMBER
Bretta is a science educator in Stillwater, Minnesota and a conservation biologist who is focused on creating and restoring pollinator habitats.
In 2016, Bretta’s husband introduced her to fly fishing, with an emphasis on Small Mouth Bass river fishing. Ever since then, she has been figuratively and literally ‘hooked’.
Bretta is a member of the Brule River Sportman’s Club and Fly Fishing Women of Minnesota. In addition to fishing, she is a hobby beekeeper, obsessed with gardening and canning, and enjoys finding new and delicious ways to cook wild game.
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a xiong
BOARD MEMBER
A is a Special Education teacher in the Saint Paul, Minnesota school district. He is the tenth of sixteen siblings and comes from a culture that “highly values the beauty of nature.”
When A is not teaching, he enjoys partaking in outdoor activities including hiking, camping, biking, and running.
A says: “Personally, I believe life can be more harmonious if we can learn to appreciate our mother earth. Therefore, my lifetime goal is to vacation in all 50 US states and learn more about the history of our great country.”
“I believe in Flannel River’s mission to expose as many people as possible to the wonders of the outdoors and rivers. I'm excited to be on the board of directors to help move this non-profit's mission of inclusion and stewardship.”
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Lynn paatalo
BOARD MEMBER
Lynn has worked for the state of Minnesota for many years. She is also an elected member of the Pierce County board.
Lynn is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. She helps guide Flannel River in decisions around stewardship and from the perspective of the Indigenous lens.
Further Reading
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Our Story
How Flannel River came to be, including why we are called ‘Flannel River’, and more.
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fly fishing 101
If you have never been fly fishing before or have no idea where to start, we have put together a basic guide for you.
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our supporters
We wouldn’t be able to do most of our core work without the generosity of our supporters.