Bluestem Staff 
Bluestem staff are onsite most weekdays from 10am-4pm.
You may find us in the fields or in the woods, tending to the cemetery, removing invasives, providing pre-arranged tours, planning for, or hosting a burial service.

Drop in visitors are welcome to walk and explore Bluestem on their own time. If you are seeking answers to how Bluestem works, please sign up for a walking tour, an online information session, or email us at [email protected]. To be a part of how Bluestem works, join us for a Friday Workday ! 

Heidi Hannapel
Co-Director 

PictureEasily distracted by wildflowers
Mother, grandmother, and founder of Bluestem, Heidi has treasured the beauty of the Piedmont region for over 25 years. Nature is her constant. Heidi  guides families in creating a meaningful farewell on the day of service, and helps to keep Bluestem's operations humming. Occasionally she posts a photo on Instagram or Facebook. Heidi appreciates that conservation burial is simple, natural and personal, and draws people into participation; grieving families, eager volunteers, silent worshippers, introverts and extroverts -- all are welcome. Reach out to Heidi here. 

Katie Mangum 
Operations and Sanctuary Steward 

PictureTending to community
Katie brings thoughtful care to the Bluestem Community with attention to spirituality, storytelling and climate justice. She first arrived at Bluestem through Duke's Community Based Environmental Management Practicum. Katie continued to support Bluestem while completing her Master of Divinity at Duke and doing some chaplaincy training at UNC. Katie contributes generously to overall communications and operations, assisting families and visitors with green burial education, providing tours of the cemetery, and guidance for choosing Bluestem as a final place of rest. Reach out to Katie here. 

Walter 
Dog and People Steward 

PictureHolding space
Walter the Dog is a steady presence at Bluestem, welcoming guests in the parking lot, accompanying them on walks and hikes and quietly holding space when he is invited to burial services.    

Watch Walter run!   

Jeff Masten
Co-Director 

PictureSuccessful gravedigging
Jeff’s personal experiences accompanying his father and step-father in their end of life journeys, is at the core of his calling to create Bluestem. Jeff believes nature offers every  individual their own personal, physical, emotional and tactile experience that can trigger memories and healing from grief.  He brings his conservation expertise to Bluestem focusing on land and habitat restoration, water quality protections, and longterm stewardship. Integrating these important conservation practices with green burial supports his vision for a healing community space where nature is enough. Reach out to Jeff here.  

Lionel Reid-Shaw
Land Steward 

PicturePausing from invasive removal
Growing up in Hillsborough, NC, Lionel knows the woods and creeks of the Piedmont. Prior to joining Bluestem, Lionel studied environmental geoscience in college and then worked for a local surveying company developing his GIS skills. As land steward he contributes mightily to Bluestem's volunteer workdays, trail building, grave digging, burial operations and conservation. Reach out to Lionel here. 

Rebekah Foster 
Bluestem Intern

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Rebekah joins Bluestem this year through her practicum experience as part of a Master’s in Social Work program at UNC. For ten years she connected young people to nature in school gardens and on backcountry trails, where she delighted in helping kids form relationships with the natural world. After her own experience with grief, she turned towards an exploration of how nature, community and ritual are fundamental supports in difficult seasons of life. She’s eager to learn from the Bluestem community, her coursework and the land about how to support others as they walk their own grief paths. 
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Valuable Colleagues 

Bluestem thanks these important colleagues for their creative contributions since its  earliest days: Dan Bruer, Sidney Cruze, Kim Livingston, Bo Howes, Meredith Emmett, Mel Jones, D Bouchard, Geri LaPlaca, Steve Gartrell, Annie O'Leary, Margot Lester, Seletha Pherribo, and Allen Brimer.   

Community Volunteers 

Bluestem is a community supported nonprofit dedicated to nourishing ecological stewardship, community service, and spiritual practice in shared fellowship. We are grateful for the creative minds and muscle of these generous community members: Dan, Sidney, Carol, Laura, Tom, James, Jenny, Jackie, Dave, D, Al, Lynn, Andy R., Lionel, Betty, Mel, Noah, Ken, Kristin, Don, Angie, Ben, Michaela, Renee, Courtney, Anne A., 2 Dorothy Gs, RJ, Lara, Caleb, Landon, Allen, Jennifer, Franzi, Seletha, Kathleen, Carl, Beth, Shenae, Meredith, Heather, Rebecca, Annie, Claire, Grace, Walter, Lee P., Lee W., 2 Ann Rs, Erica, Emily, Brenna, Dorothy B., Hannah, Caitie, Andy H. Emily-Kate, JC, Hannah, Liz, Sarah, Leo, John, Carolyn, Sunshine, Hunter, Veronica, Sara, Hank, Ann W., Geri, Tom, Aimee, Kelly, Bill, Dana, Katherine, Kari, Robin, Xaris, Ina, David, Marcia, Michele, Catherine, Ed, Steven, Jon, KR, Kendall, Mary, Kallyn, Rachel W., Rachel C., Stacey, Nora, Melissa, Laura, Maisie, Edith, Jordan, Jo, Marie, Lydia, Margot, Steve, Kara, Betsy, Dan, Stan, Elliott, John, Cameron, Melinda, Sean, Danielle, Laura, Rebekah, Martin, Cameron, David, Cris, André, Caitie, Michaela, Holly, Rich, Sharon, Gaby, Tammerie and Carol.