Park Ranger Shares Lifelong Passion For The Namekagon River

Friend of the River

Branda Thwaits has a deep passion for the Namekagon River. Now as a U.S. National Parks Ranger, she gets to live her dream – sharing her love of the river as a guide with park visitors.

While Branda has a passion for the Namekagon River, it’s just one of many rivers, streams and  lakes to enjoy in our state.  Nature writer Jill Sisson Quinn describes the allure of Wisconsin’s lakes.

Joe Astrouski

Joe Astrouski is a reporter for the “Wisconsin Life” project who travels the state, telling the stories of people and their passions. In his spare time, Joe enjoys fishing, hiking and eating his way across the Midwest with his wife, Charity.  Astrouski is a reporter, field producer and narrator for “Wisconsin...