Legacy Spotlight: Honoring Those Who Have Shaped Our Journey
Restoring land and strengthening communities doesn’t happen overnight—it takes vision, persistence, and the collective efforts of many. With a shared purpose—and a bit of dirt under our fingernails—we’ve built a movement that grows stronger every day.
As Great River Greening celebrates 30 years, we pause to honor some of the individuals who laid the foundation, expanded our reach, and sparked this incredible transformation. Their dedication continues to propel us forward as we look ahead to the next chapter of lasting impact and growth.
Rob Buffler: Laying the Foundation
As Greening’s first Executive Director, Rob Buffler was instrumental in shaping the organization’s foundation after it officially became a nonprofit in 1999. Rob served as project manager for the initial Greening the Great River Park project, laying the foundation of the newly formed organization with a vision to be dedicated to restoring natural areas through community involvement. He emphasized the power of collaboration, stating, “The power of community engagement is incredibly powerful and inspiring.”
Rob, with his daughter, standing in the hole before the first tree was planted for the Greening the Great River Park project.
Reflecting on his time at Greening, he emphasizes that our work stands out as deeply impactful. “Great River Greening is one of North America's best-kept secrets, not just in Minnesota. Ecology doesn’t recognize political boundaries—the watershed extends beyond state lines, and Greening’s work is at the intersection of climate change, water quality, biodiversity, and social environmental stewardship.”
After his time at Greening, Rob continued his efforts as an experience conservation biologist and restoration ecologist and has worked extensively on land watershed conservation across North America.
Maxine Hughes: A Legacy of Volunteer Leadership
Maxine Hughes was one of our earliest volunteer supervisors, also beginning her journey with Greening during the initial Greening the Great River Park project in 1995. At the time, many of the volunteer supervisors, like Maxine, were from local garden clubs who had earned Master Gardener certifications.
Maxine and her husband, Kieran, stand in front of their native prairie.
She embraced the opportunity to become involved in hands-on, community-based restoration work. Through her dedication, Maxine gained valuable experience in environmental restoration, particularly in that first project working along the industrial areas of the Mississippi River. She fondly recalls her role in helping to re-establish corridors for migrating birds and insects along the river, contributing significantly to conservation improvement along the riverfront.
Maxine continues to be an active volunteer with Greening, assisting the organization with buckthorn removal, tree plantings, prairie seed collection, and numerous other restoration projects. Her commitment continues to inspire others to take action for the environment, and her impacts continue to improve soil and water quality.
Deborah Karasov: Expanding the Vision
Deborah Karasov took over as Executive Director in 2001 with a determined focus on expanding initiatives like the Metro Conservation Corridors. She recognized early the importance of education and youth engagement, while also understanding that large-scale environmental restoration requires collaboration between communities, organizations, and governments.
Deborah Karasov was instrumental in expanding Great River Greening’s growth beyond the Twin Cities metro area.
Under her leadership, several key programs and partnerships were launched, laying the groundwork for future generations to embrace environmental stewardship. This collective approach remains critical for our organization today, especially as we tackle complex environmental issues like climate change, habitat loss, and water quality.
Reflecting on the 30th anniversary of GRG, Deborah shared, “GRG taught a generation of people that restoration is not just about healing the land; it’s about inspiring generations to believe in the power of collective action, knowing that even small steps can yield transformative change.” She urges the next generation of leaders to take charge: “The future of our planet is in your hands.”
After her time at Greening, Deborah continued to work in environmental philanthropy, helping various clients as needed with their fundraising and non-profit strategies.
A Legacy of Impact
The stories of Rob, Maxine, and Deborah are just a few of the many individuals who have shaped our journey over the past 30 years. Their contributions to environmental stewardship, community involvement, and collaboration continue to influence the path we are on today. As we celebrate our past, we remain inspired by their legacy, looking toward the future with renewed hope for a greener, more sustainable world.
Stay tuned as we continue to share milestones and highlight more key individuals who have helped shape our story. You can also explore Greening’s history in more detail through our timeline.
Thank you, Rob, Maxine and Deborah. Here’s to the next 30 years of growth, hope, and a brighter future for all!