Gene Roark’s environmental protection and land conservation leadership in Wisconsin has spanned 60 years and touched dozens of organizations. He helped found the Wisconsin office of The Nature Conservancy, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. In addition to being a founder, Roark served on the Conservancy’s Board of Trustees for 23 years and as chairman from 1978 to 1981. He continues to be active, helping guide the Conservancy’s work in the Baraboo Hills as a long-time member of the Baraboo Hills Working Group and assisting the Conservancy in advocating for public funding and public policy related to natural resource conservation.
Roark’s volunteer conservation accomplishments are so numerous, it’s hard to keep count. He joined Madison Audubon Society as a teenager. Since, he has served on boards of the Dane County Conservation League, Wisconsin Wetlands Association, Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association, and Natural Heritage Land Trust, among others.
“Gene has been a driving force behind our success. We’ve felt his leadership over our entire 50-year history. The Nature Conservancy joins many distinguished organizations in recognizing Gene as not only a link to the history of Wisconsin conservation but also a leader who, even after 60 years of service, continues to drive our future efforts.”
~ Mary Jean Huston, State Director
The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin
