Congratulations to Todd Holschbach, the 2022 Land Trust Professional of the Year! Todd was presented with this award virtually by Gathering Waters on February 13, 2023.
To say Todd is a passionate advocate for nature is an understatement. He has served as Director of Government Relations for The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin for 20 years. During that time, he has successfully worked to secure funding and support for conservation projects in Wisconsin and nationwide.
Some of Todd’s most noteworthy accomplishments include:
- The successful passage of the federal Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA), a massive $1.2 trillion-dollar piece of legislation that will accelerate efforts for projects like green infrastructure, flood mitigation, climate resiliency, and habitat protection. More than $200 million dollars in the bill are dedicated to priorities that are important to land trusts.
- Increased awareness for the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA), which would help protect more than 400 threatened and endangered species in Wisconsin and provide a 20-fold increase in federal funding for species preservation.
- The 301-acre addition to Devils Lake State Park, which was funded through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. This invaluable addition to the park would not have occurred without Todd’s support of the project and continued advocacy efforts for the Stewardship Program.
The major legislative and policy gains made by and for Wisconsin land trusts in 2022 in particular, and over the past two decades, would have been far less likely without Todd’s professional expertise and his ability to work across the aisle to get things done.
We thank Todd for his years of service at The Nature Conservancy of Wisconsin and to all that he has done to support land trusts around the state!
About the Land Conservation Leadership Awards
The Land Conservation Leadership Awards recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions of people who devote their time and talents to protecting Wisconsin’s land, water, and wildlife. The awards are presented annually to conservation leaders by Gathering Waters.
About the Land Trust Professional of the Year Award
New for 2022, the Land Trust Professional of the Year award recognizes a land trust staff member who demonstrates commitment to a land trust through leadership and completion of initiatives or projects that support and enhance a land trust’s success.
