Stephanie Hatzenbihler champions water resources by welcoming, educating, and empowering people to be environmental stewards. Stephanie began her career with a BS in Biology from Western New England University and jobs in environmental education. Following her Fellowship with Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Southeastern Minnesota, she transitioned to nonprofit management roles while earning a Master’s in Natural Science and Environmental Education from Hamline University.
In 2017, Stephanie joined the City of Rochester as an Environmental Education Specialist with the stormwater team. She exceeded minimum permit requirements, by focusing on inclusive public engagement for surface water management, behavior change research and programming for chloride and pet waste pollution reduction, and utilizing Co-Design for Community Resilience Hub visioning. Stephanie also facilitated effective collaborations between city departments, Olmsted County SWCD, MPCA, and other stakeholders. Stephanie's efforts to reduce barriers to participation and build trust included working with DEI specialists for inclusive community engagement, mentoring future water resource champions through MN GreenCorps and MN Water Stewards programs and engaging the community with programs like Adopt-a-Drain, Litter Bit Better, and residential rain garden grants.
In March 2023, Stephanie joined Stearns County SWCD as a Water Plan Coordinator. She leads the Mississippi River-Sartell One Watershed One Plan, supports Wellhead Protection Plans, and hosts initiatives like the We Are Water exhibit. Stephanie also coaches the Sauk River Watershed Collaborative in Community-Based Social Marketing and serves as co-chair of the Minnesota Source Water Protection Collaborative and the Blue Thumb Steering Committee.
Stephanie Hatzenbihler is the recipient of the 2024 Deborah L. Swackhamer Award at the Minnesota Water Resources Conference.