The Call for Nominations for the 2026 Land Conservation Leadership Awards is open through Friday, March 27, 2026!
Gathering Waters offers the Land Conservation Leadership Awards to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of individuals and organizations working to protect Wisconsin’s special places.
We encourage you to nominate a special person or organization that has had a significant impact on land conservation in Wisconsin!
Gathering Waters presents awards in five categories, as described below.
Award Categories
- Harold “Bud” Jordahl Lifetime Achievement Award – our flagship award honoring an individual who has devoted their life to environmental conservation
- Land Legacy Award – an award recognizing how generosity and service impact land conservation
- Working Lands Preservation Award – celebrating individuals or organizations that focus on protecting Wisconsin’s working forests and farmland
- Land Trust Professional of the Year – for a current or recently-retired staff member of a Wisconsin land trust
- Land Trust Volunteer of the Year – for any dedicated volunteer of a Wisconsin land trust, including board members
How to Submit a Nomination
Download the nomination form, then send the completed form and required materials to Gathering Waters via mail or email to Gathering Waters, or you can submit a nomination online.
Tips for Submitting a Nomination
Submitting a nomination is easy! Submit a completed nomination form, a letter of support, plus any supporting materials (optional) that helps the selection committee learn more about your nominee.
- The 1-page nomination form asks for basic information about the person being nominated and the person doing the nominating. It is also where you pick what award(s) you’d like this nominee to be considered for. You can nominate a person or organization for more than one award category.
Note: the Harold “Bud” Jordahl” Lifetime Achievement Award always receives a lot of nominations, so we encourage you to consider if your nominee’s accomplishments match up with any of the other award categories to increase their chances of being selected for an award.
- The letter of support should be a 1-2 page document that serves as a recommendation letter. Not sure what to say? Think about what you would write on behalf of someone asking for a job reference or college application, but focus on your nominee’s noteworthy accomplishments in support of land conservation. One letter of support is required, but you are welcome and encouraged to submit additional letters of support written by others who can vouch for the nominee. We recommend coordinating with others who are writing letters of support to each focus on specific, different accomplishments to highlight.
- Supporting materials are optional, but can help the selection committee understand more about the nominee. Examples of supporting materials include news articles or property maps that highlight any major efforts or projects the nominee was involved in.
Questions?
Contact Amanda Jutrzonka at amanda@gatheringwaters.org.