WEN staff
Deb Fassnacht (she/her)
Executive Director
Deb camped, fished, and played with her big family along the Sun River while growing up in Great Falls, Montana. She has been gravitating to water and nature ever since. Deb holds a Master's in Education, Bachelor’s in Forestry, Natural Resource Conservation, and her Secondary Science teaching certification from the University of Montana. Deb is one of the founders of the organization, along with Wendy Berthold and Eric Ringelberg. What began as a volunteer stream monitoring effort in 1996 based in Deb’s home, has grown into a successful non-profit organization focusing on watersheds, groundwater, and wetlands education. Deb brings science teaching and education/outreach experience to WEN from previous agency and nonprofit work. When not at the river or neighborhood creek, Deb enjoys hiking, skiing, and sailing on Flathead Lake with her husband, Henry, family, and friends.
Stephie Novak (she/her)
Stream Team Coordinator
Stephie graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Wildlife Biology. She grew up in Rock creek, Mt. and has spent the majority of her life in the wilderness and around the local rivers and streams. She enjoys hiking, biking, and just being outside and loves that she can have fun working outside with WEN! Stephie started out as an amazing WEN intern, we are happy to have her on the team. Stephie is a certified wilderness first responder.
Mallory Lampe (she/her)
Backyard Citizen Science Coordinator
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Mallory has lived close to rivers, creeks, and lakes her whole life. She earned a B.S. in Special Education at the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and taught high school special education for 8 years, including 1 year in Helena. Her love for adventuring outdoors with her husband lead to them moving out to Montana in 2021. After graduating from UM in 2024 with her M.S. in Environmental Studies and a Certificate in Environmental Education, she joined WEN as the BYCS Coordinator. She aims to help kids & teens connect with their local natural environment and make environmental education more accessible to everyone. Mallory is a certified Montana Master Naturalist. She enjoys hiking (getting distracted by nature while walking), camping (tent and hammock), reading, amateur nature photography, and traveling.
Mallorie Dale (she/her)
Program Assistant
Mallorie Dale was born during dry conditions of the desert in midsummer. Enjoying natatory activities were limited to playing in stormwater culverts or chlorine saturated pools. Exposure to Northern naturally occurring water bodies motivated an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Exploration and creation of memories coalesced into passion for stewardship. Coincidence combined with complex connection, MD found a sense of place in Missoula, MT. Where MD obtained a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science & Sustainability cum laude, and a certificate in Environmental Ethics May 2025. Her Capstone project for the Davidson Honors College built upon Pattee Creek restoration plans, focused on Bancroft ponds and ideas for urban parks.Coalescence of interests, identities, ideas, and important opinions has led to an internship with WEN where MD participates in learning programs ranging from quantitative data acquisition to qualitative time spent nurturing stewardship with all generations.