Executive Director
Chris Knopf
For more than 25 years Chris has worked to protect, preserve and restore our wild places. Prior to joining the Friends, he was a practicing environmental attorney, served as the Ohio Office Director for The Trust for Public Land and worked as a major gifts officer with the Indian Land Tenure Foundation. He has deep love for the outdoors and enjoys hiking, kayaking, canoeing, biking, backpacking and photography.
Advocacy Director
Scott Beauchamp
Organizer on Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman’s 2013 reelection campaign. Won the second highest percentage of vote in Saint Paul history. Worked as Manager of Public Affairs for the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce in a multifaceted position with roles in public affairs, economic development, and lobbying. Former Communications Director for Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness, in charge of media relations. Successfully placed over 50 earned media stories in 2017 in various outlets including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Outside Magazine, the Star Tribune, KSTP, and more.