Dan Wisniewski of Middleton has dedicated over 40 years, through a career in state and local government and as a volunteer, to influencing public policy that benefits land and water conservation in Wisconsin, while increasing communication and collaboration among a range of conservation groups and government agencies.
Through his roles with groups like Trout Unlimited, Northwoods Land Trust, Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Dane County Parks Commission, and the Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands—and through his keen ability to foster collaboration between a variety of conservation groups and government agencies—Dan helped secure funding for stream restoration and improved public access.
He helped direct an extremely successful local conservation program to secure Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funding. He initiated a program that identifies quality natural-area lands, which led to the sale of about 12,000 sensitive acres to Department of Natural Resources and he played a key role in advocating for the 65,000-acre Wild Rivers Legacy Forest in northeast Wisconsin. He is currently helping to build a Dane County Parks Endowment, to better support the efforts of several thousand county park volunteers. Those who have worked with him describe his passion for conservation and his savvy approach to fundraising and public policy advocacy.
