Our Team
Lindsey Sterling Krank
Lindsey Sterling Krank is the Humane World for Animal's Program Director for Prairie Dog Conflict Resolution. She is a part of the Humane Wildlife Coexistence team and has served in this role for twenty years.
Lindsey has an Environmental Science degree from the University of Montana. And she loves bringing people together, working with wildlife on the ground and learning from each other. Her work has been featured in newspapers, TV, on National Geographic and most recently in a documentary film, The Nature Makers. Lindsey was also the first PDC Coordinator for over ten years and is excited to be a part of what the Coalition will do next!
Jennifer VanVugt is Prairie Dog Coalition’s Development and Communications Coordinator. After interning with the PDC in 2019, she is excited to be back helping to expand their presence and outreach efforts.
She comes from a background in conservation social work, animal welfare, communications, and nature education. Her work has taken her all over the world collaborating with diverse teams on wildlife conservation projects ranging from communications and community outreach to research and fieldwork. Jennifer’s efforts have all been primarily focused on human, non-human animal, and environmental well-being and coexistence. She has her MSW in Ecological Justice from University of Denver and a BA from Albion College.
Jennifer VanVugt
Chamois Andersen
Chamois Andersen is Defenders of Wildlife's Senior Field Representative responsible for advancing the organization's Great Plains Program. She conducts science, policy advocacy and fieldwork toward the recovery of imperiled wildlife, including American bison, endangered black-footed ferrets, prairie dogs, and swift fox. She also works on grassland restoration projects aimed at conserving grassland birds such as sage grouse, mountain plover, and burrowing owl.
For nearly a decade, with Defenders she has fostered key partnerships with Native American tribes and has helped with management of their buffalo herds. She also coordinates with state and federal agencies and nongovernment organizations on bison recovery, and works with private landowners on projects designed for better coexistence between agricultural operations and prairie dog conservation.
Andersen has a background in natural resource science and communications. She has worked in public affairs for the Colorado Division of Wildlife and California Fish and Game, and led outreach efforts for both agencies on how to recreate and live with wildlife. Prior to joining Defenders, she served as Executive Director of the Wyoming Wildlife Federation and led the organization's efforts to help restore grizzly bears to the Rocky Mountains. Major projects during her career include consulting on the United Nation's Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, and developing wildlife guides for California and Colorado, and conservation plans for marine and terrestrial species. Andersen believes strategic management plans, communications, and engagement with a diversity of stakeholders are key to the successful recovery of imperiled species and the habitats upon which they depend.
Andersen has B.S. in Environmental Science, from the University of Arizona and a B.A. from the Colorado College.
Steering Committee Members
Pam Wanek
Pam Wanek has 30 years of experience in the conservation of prairie dogs. She believes that prairie dogs are important for human and wildlife health. She specializes in prairie dog behavior, biology, vegetation and laws and policies that align with federal and state conservation goals to protect local habitat.
She has been nationally recognized as a pioneer in the creation of Reverse Dispersal Translocation, a non-lethal habitat relocation technique that reduces conflicting land uses in prairie dog occupied areas.
Pam holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Colorado State University, and later left a career as a compliance officer for Wall Street to pursue protection of wildlife and their habitats. She is a solution based individual that enjoys challenging projects.