Congratulations to the 2010 Land Conservation Leadership Award Winners! Now in its 8th year, GWC’s annual awards honor Wisconsin’s most influential and inspiring individuals, policy makers and land trusts that are working to protect the state’s most valuable land resources.
Here is this year’s outstanding cast of awardees:
Land Trust of the Year: Natural Heritage Land Trust
In a region with dynamic boundaries between urban, suburban and rural places, NHLT has been a strategic champion of critical watersheds, an innovator for farmland preservation, and a respected partner of federal, state and local agencies alike. NHLT has become a model and mentor for land trusts statewide.
Policy Maker of the Year: Alderman Nik Kovac
Alderman Kovac is a determined leader, whose accomplishments include passing one of the strongest urban river conservation laws in the country. A freshman member of Milwaukee’s Common Council, he deftly championed the agenda of the Milwaukee River Work Group to protect 800 acres of greenway in the heart of Wisconsin’s largest urban center.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Noel Cutright
A legendary citizen scientist, Dr. Cutright has made notable contributions to land conservation through his achievements as an ornithologist. As an Ecosystem Manager for We Energies and a renowned ornithologist, Dr. Cutright has raised both awareness and thousands of dollars for bird habitat protection in Wisconsin.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Gene Roark
Gene’s environmental protection and land conservation leadership in Wisconsin spans 60 years and has touched dozens of organizations. Roark helped found the Wisconsin office of the Nature Conservancy, and has served countless other organizations, including: Dane County Conservation League, Wisconsin Wetlands Association, Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association and the Natural Heritage Land Trust.
Harold “Bud” Jordahl Award: The Baraboo Range – Highway 12 Preservation Team
This partnership of non-profit land trusts, two counties, and the DNR leveraged $5,000,000 from the Department of Transportation to permanently protect 13,000 acres of a globally unique landscape—one of the most creative and successful cooperative conservation efforts in the state.
We will celebrate these honorees at our annual Leadership Awards Celebration on Thursday, September 30, 5:30pm-8:30pm at the Monona Terrace in Madison. Care to join us? RSVP by September 24!
