2022 Fall Bridges

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Conn EC t I n G p E opl E to C on SER vat I on I n W ISCon SI n

FROM THE DIRECTOR

o ur state blessed with abundant and biologically rich natural resources, but it’s also blessed with many thoughtful people – people like you – who value our natural world and take action to protect it. Conservation needs you.

thanks to people like angus Mossman, a first-grade teacher who held his classes outdoors for a full school day each week for a year, our kids are learning how to value and appreciate nature. thanks to hundreds of incredible Birdathon participants, we raised $117,000 for bird conservation this past summer. and thanks to thousands of individuals like you who donate their time, energy, and resources, together we’re able to protect the diversity of life and build a more resilient and beautiful world.

Conservation needs people like my friend and colleague Camille Zanoni, who helped grow our organization’s impact during the 17-years she served our mission. Recently Camille

accepted a wonderful position with one of our partner organizations, the Madison Community Foundation. and though our team will miss Camille, we’re deeply grateful to her for her friendship and continued commitment to conservation.

the weather is getting cooler, but I’m feeling warm and heartened by the role each of you play in growing our conservation impact and changing lives for the better.

Best wishes for a peaceful end to 2022 and I look forward to connecting with you again soon.

FOUNDATION of Wisconsin

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mark LaBarbera, Board Chair

Tom Dott, Vice Chair

Rebecca Haefner, Secretary Dave Adam, Treasurer James Bennett linda Bochert Bruce Braun Kristine Euclide Martin Henert Jim Hubing Kristine Krause Diane Humphrey lueck William lunney Jim Matras tom olson Halie tenor Michael Williamson

FOUNDATION STAFF

David Clutter, Executive Director

Shari Henning, HR & Operations Manager

alex Kaspar, Administrative Assistant

John Kraniak, Membership Director and Data Analyst

Kim Kreitinger, Field Trip Coordinator

Christine tanzer, Field Trip Director

lindsey taylor, Conservation Programs Coordinator

Shelly torkelson, Communications Director

Marta Weldon, Director of Philanthropy

David Clutter, Executive Director

p.S. please stay tuned for the unveiling of our new logo! o ur work remains the same, but the new logo better reflects our statewide impact, together. I’m exciting to share it with you in January 2023!

Caitlin Williamson, Director of Conservation Programs

OUR MISSION

Connecting generations to the wonders of Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife through conservation, education, engagement, and giving. wisconservation.org

Wisconsin is inhandsyour

An American Toad found by Catherine Nguyen, intern in the 2022 Diversity in Conservation Internship Program, during a hike in the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest.

David Clutter

natural

Strategic Conservation in the Driftless

ThANkS TO yOUR SUppORT, ThE FOUNDATION IS lEADINg

A gROUp OF pARTNERS IN ThE DRIFTlESS AREA TO DETERMINE ThE BEST wAy TO pROTECT ThE REgION’S UNIqUE NATURAl FEATURES.

the Driftless area is one of the most biodiverse places in Wisconsin, featuring rare, unique habitats and numerous wildlife species. However, human activities are changing the landscape and threatening the Driftless area’s biodiversity. lack of fire, invasive species, and development pressure are taking a toll. to help address these threats, the Foundation is leading a new collaborative effort. a group of conservation organizations working in the area is creating a conservation plan for the Driftless

Diversifying the Field

yOU’RE hElpINg ADDRESS ThE NEED FOR MORE DIvERSE CONSERvATION pROFESSIONAlS.

the Foundation’s Diversity in Conservation Internship program provides meaningful, paid experiences for undergraduates interested in careers in natural resource conservation.

this year we hosted seven interns, who worked on projects for the Wisconsin Department of natural Resources, pheasants Forever, and the International Crane Foundation.

thank you to the Schlecht Family Foundation, We Energies Foundation, the Wisconsin Department of natural Resources, and nRF’s members for making this possible! learn more about this year’s interns at XXX

area together, leveraging each organization’s’ strengths and expertise. this plan uses an international evidence-based planning framework (the Conservation Standards) and focuses on conserving the area’s biodiversity and rarest habitats: barrens, oak savannas, prairies, and grasslands.

We will have more impact in the Driftless area together than we will separately.

thank you to the Windward Fund of the Eddie Schwartz Conservation Fund, Foundations of Success, Foundation members, and our many partners who are working with us on this important effort.

Read the key findings at wisconservation.org/driftless-areaconservation-planning

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Thanks

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Protecting Rush Creek

By Caitlin Williamson

Climate change is impacting Wisconsin, but we can make our lands and waters more resilient to it. the 2021 Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts assessment Report shows about three degrees of warming and 20 percent more precipitation compared to 1950. We’re also seeing more extreme rainfall events leading to flooding across the state.

Wisconsin’s native landscapes —our prairies, savannas, wetlands, and forests — are already stressed by habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species, fire suppression, excessive deer browsing, and nutrient runoff. Climate change amplifies all these threats.

Despite these challenges, key actions can help make Wisconsin’s lands and waters more resilient to a

changing climate.

this year, the Foundation launched a new climate adaptation project at Rush Creek State natural, one of Wisconsin’s great treasures along the Mississippi River. It contains one of the largest remaining prairies of its kind in the Midwest, forests, spring-fed streams, and nearly 50 Species of Greatest Conservation need.

With our partners, we’re restoring and re-connecting 970 acres of habitat at Rush Creek, using a mix of traditional ecological restoration and newer climate

adaptation practices.

this is possible thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Climate adaptation Fund — the support to establish the Climate adaptation Fund was provided by a grant to WCS from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation — with matching funds from the Brico Fund, Caerus Foundation, Ed and patty neumueller, the Wisconsin Department of natural Resources, and two of the Foundation’s conservation endowment funds. It takes a village, and we are deeply grateful for the many funders and partners bringing this to life.

We hope this first-of-its-kind climate resilience project will inspire many others.

DNR crew member carefully burns the side of the bluff at Rush Creek SNA.

C a I tl I n WI ll a MS on

wISCONSIN’S FIRST gRASSl AND ClIMATE ChANgE ADApTATION pROjECT IS UNDERwAy AT RUSh CREEk STATE NATURAl AREA.

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to Foundation Me M bersThanks

Outside. Every. Single. Week.

First graders encircle a large tree during their weekly outdoor learning day.

One parent shared, “Brooks is always the first one up on Tuesdays, making sure he has layers and good shoes so he’s ready for outdoor learning day.”

By Angus Mossman

Illuminated in a glimmer of sunlight sifting through the hemlock canopy, five first graders have encircled a glorious white pine. arms outstretched, faces pressed to the bark, they can barely reach each other around the old-growth giant. Between their bark-imprinted cheeks are silent smiles of amazement, wonder, and happiness.

to my left, Carter is sitting on the frozen stream, sorting a pile of rocks into metamorphic vs sedimentary. “ this one’s a conglomerate! I guess it goes in the middle,” he calls out.

natalie and Dex are bear-crawling up a hill toward a glassy wall of icicles dripping off a sandstone overhang. a discarded orange mitten and bag of trail mix mark their path. Just ahead, Mia is

Students gather around a small fire in the snow as part of one outdoor learning day.

bouncing on a fallen branch, chewing on the minty bark of a yellow birch twig. “I love hiking!” she exclaims.

With the help of gracious community support (including from nRF) and a team of creative educators, tower Rock Elementary School‘s first graders have spent a full day of every week outside.

Read the rest of angus Mossman’s guest post at wisconservation.org/blog.

a n G u S Mo SSM an

gROwlINg OwlS, A FlEEINg FOx, AND TINy CRAB SpIDERS ARE jUST A FE w OF ThESE FIRST gRADERS’ ENCOUNTERS DURINg ThEIR wEEkly OUTDOOR lEARNINg DAyS.

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Luna from Tower Rock Elementary enjoys her lunch under a tree.

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Restoring Inch Lake

EFFORTS ARE UNDERwAy TO SAvE ONE OF wISCONSIN’S l AST wIlD l AkES.

nRF and the Wisconsin Department of natural Resources are working to remove an infestation of glossy buckthorn at Inch lake State natural area. as a “wild lake,” it is undeveloped, does not allow motorboats, and requires artificial fishing lures instead of live bait.

By combatting invasive species around the lake, crews are restoring habitat for wildlife like loons, bald eagles, turtles,

Field Trip Highlights

BIRDS, BUTTERFlIES, AND BOATINg, Oh My!

What a thrill to get back to a full season of Field trips this year. nearly 5,000 participants joined expert leaders to explore a breadth of topics in the field.

Karner blue butterflies live in harmony with bison on the prairies at Sandhill Wildlife Area.

trumpeter swans, and otters.

“We’ve been methodically dismantling the wall of buckthorn with chainsaws and the results are stunning. once dark, muddy, and shaded out by 10-foot-tall buckthorn, the shoreline now boasts a diverse mix of native shrubs, sedges, grasses and wildflowers.”

- Ryan Magana, DnR ecologist for northwestern Wisconsin

More on our blog: wisconservation.org/saving-inch-lake

The Little Tamarack Flowage is a prime place to paddle… and learn about Wisconsin’s carnivorous plants.

A bird in the hand is better than two in binoculars! Banding songbirds during migration near Waupaca.

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“We’ve been methodically dismantling the wall of buckthorn with chainsaws and the results are stunning.”

T hE 2022 gREAT wISCONSIN B IRDAT h ON RAISES $117,000 FOR BIRD CONSERvATION

We set out to raise $100,000 for Wisconsin’s birds ... but we raised $117K instead! this has been another record-breaking season for the Great Wisconsin Birdathon and we could not be more grateful for the support of our participants, our donors, and our sponsors. thank you, everyone, for going birding for a cause! the Great Wisconsin Birdathon raises funds for the natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin’s Bird protection Fund, which supports Wisconsin’s highest priority bird conservation needs. the following projects were selected by the advisory committee to receive the funds raised by our amazing 2022 Birdathon participants:

• advancing Bird Conservation within Wisconsin’s Important Bird area (IBa) System – Wisconsin Bird Conservation partnership

Whoop

Fun stats from the 10th anniversary of Birdathon:

teams

spotted

Fundraiser

Species Seen

Godwits:

• Building partnerships and tools to address Barriers to Bird-friendly actions – Western Great lakes Bird and Bat observatory

• Capacity Building – Feminist Bird Club

• Connecticut Warbler Conservation project – Wisconsin Department of natural Resources

• neotropical Flyways project – Cornell lab of ornithology / SElva

• outreach and program Expansion – BIpoC Birding Club of Wisconsin

• piping plover Conservation – Wisconsin Department of natural Resources

• Reintroduction of Whooping Cranes into Eastern north america – International Crane Foundation

• Southern Kettle Moraine Habitat Restoration for Grassland Birds – Kettle Moraine land trust

whoop!

species

Read the full 2022 Birdathon Report at wisconservation.org/2022-Birdathon

The federally endangered Whooping Crane was voted to be our 2022 Bird of the Year. This species has been supported by our Bird Protection Fund for over 20 years.

2021 nRF Photo Contest Winners

We’re wowed once again. thank you to the winners and all the other photographers who helped connect people to Wisconsin’s natural wonders by sharing their talent. Congratulations to the winners!

First place

Goldfinch on Sumac By Andy Raupp Montello, WI

Third place

Fritillary on Thistle by Daniel Schmitz Harrington Beach State park

Second place

Kingbird Chasing a Meal By Curt Lundeen Mequon, WI

Field Trip Selecton

Trumpeter Swan Cygnet Banding

By Satiya Buell Crex Meadows Wildlife area, Burnett County

people’s Choice

Hummingbird in the Moonlight By Owen, Lyn and Dan Boyle Sauk City, WI

Our 2022 photo Contest is OpEN! Show us the wonders of Wisconsin that have brought you joy. Submit your Wisconsin nature photos and Field trip photos today! Deadline is Nov. 1, 2022. wisconservation.org/photo-contest

Welcome, Marta!

MEET OUR NE w DIRECTOR OF phIl ANThROpy, MARTA wElDON

Marta’s career path evolved from performing clarinet with the Richmond Symphony in virginia to her love of helping people realize their hopes and dreams through philanthropy. a career in orchestra management brought her family to appleton. From there, she worked in development for the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox valley, and Junior achievement of Wisconsin.

In august 2020, Marta and her husband decided to explore the Ice age trail at its eastern terminus in potawatomi State park. the quest began to complete the entire Iat by the end of 2022 — only 91.6 miles left to go!

When she’s not hiking, Marta loves reading, baking, painting furniture, and other crafts.

Working for the Foundation is a joyful opportunity to fuse Marta’s passion for the environment with others who desire to conserve, protect, and share the beauty of our natural resources.

Coming in 2023: Our new logo

pROTECTINg MORE ThAN jUST CONIFERS

Welcome, Shelly!

MEET OUR NE w COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, ShElly TORkElSON

“I fell in love with nature on the Mississippi River. on most random weekends and every summer holiday during my childhood, my family was at “the river,” camping on the islands and playing in the water. these days, I still love camping with my family — and my hobby is renovating old campers!

I’ve been doing some combination of communications, public relations, development, and marketing for almost 15 years. It’s turned me into a communications nerd. I love design, writing, strategizing, listening, and telling compelling stories.

telling nRF’s story is my new focus and I’m excited to dive in. With so much happening across the state, there’s a lot to tell. I’m really enjoying working with such a skilled and passionate team to keep those stories flowing.”

In January 2023, the Foundation will be saying farewell (with gratitude) to our “pinecone logo” and launch our new logo! We’re excited to unveil the updated logo and branding, which is the culmination of a process we started in the summer of 2021. our look will be fresh and new, but our commitment is still the same: to protect Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife and connect people to the wonders of our state. our new logo better communicates the scope of our conservation work across Wisconsin. We can’t wait to share it with you — stay tuned!

Shelly Torkelson

Marta Weldon

Be there for Wisconsin.

D EBBIE Ko E n IGS / u SFWS.

Alyssa Auten

Honorary and Memorial Gifts

October 15,

The Foundation recognizes gifts made in honor or memory of the following:

I N hONOR OF

jeremiah Burnham & wrenna Mollie Hoben Arlene and Ed Trochlell Jill trochell Ziehr Beverly Schwabe Susan Schwabe Bill John Kempf Bill keen Marilee Zaiman Caitlyn Schuchhardt Wayne & Dianne Millar Cedar grove Ornithological Research Station Richard Hill Charlie luthin Dr. Robert & Diane Dempsey Daniel w. hildebrand Dawn Hildebrand David & joyce weizenicker Susan & Mike Walton Deanna holtz linda & Christopher Warren Dennis wiebelhaus yvonne & Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm Emily Dufford Richard Emmons luthin Charles luthin & nancy piraino george knudsen Holly Dowling halie Tenor Katie Rickert heidi Roop peter & Constance Roop hugh and jeanne wallace Robert Wallace

In honor of my mom, Shirley amy Jaeger-Kennedy In honor of my mother for xmas Joshua Morgan In honor of the Andersen Family Jeannie andersen In honor of the best dad Rachel Eggert

In honor of the great conservation progress made possible by my friends at NRF! lisa l Gaumnitz jackie Sullivan, leslie Best, Maureen hubeler, Thor jaquish, john hippe, & Brian weber paul Bargren joe & Beth panci theodore May joe Schwabe tom Harberg john hackbart Katie Kieffer joseph Riske Corey nelson josh Spencer lisa Spencer

katie Cleveland-Bouressa Kova Kolondzic keith warnke

Susan Hobart & Billy Feitlinger lisa Charron Elizabeth & Joseph Charron lisa gaumnitz Melissa tumbleson Drew Feldkirchner Caitlin Williamson Sharon Fandel Davin lopez Mark Molitor Carole levine Matthew Schroeder Emily Schroeder Meghan Ziegler Michael lenehan & Mary Williams Michael O’Connell Ross Mueller Mick Skwarok Elisabeth Kuisis Mitchell Family Keri Burnell Natasha Trush Walter trush pat and kip Cramer Joan Cramer patty and Ed Neumueller Richard & Donna Reinardy patty Radmacher Martin & virginia pfeiffer paul Brandt Martha M. Kronholm Rebecca gilman & Charles harmon Marsha & Robert Rea Susan Mcalister Riley hansen Kami Hansen Robert A Drexler David & Corinne Drexler Robert and Margaret Schuh Cheryl Schuh Ronald kurowski thomas Wittmann Rori paloski andrew F. Badje Sarah Besadny Barbara Besadny Schlitz Audubon Kyle arpke Sue & Eric Anderson Jeremy Westcott Suzette Morton Sorenson Kevin Kovarik

The Rusty patched Bumblebee Carrie Sigmon Theresa kondzela Douglas Hosler Thomas Fahrenkrug lydia Fahrenkrug Timothy j. Coughlin Maripat Coughlin velma Arnold Diane vorpahl-arnold

IN MEMORy OF

Anne geraghty Kristi a lund Anne hornickel yuska adele Binning & tom Klein Barry Mitchell Colleen Marsden & Holly anderson Brian Antony paul & pat Sharpe Bryan william Bethke David & Marlene Sell Charles g. Burney association of Retired Conservationists

Dave Otto William & Kathleen appel Dave Redell Cynthia & thomas Eagon Kris & thomas Kesselhon Mary ann Baggs David h. Middleton lavonne Middleton Denis Mullane Michael & Makenzie Mullane Dr. harry kniaz lorna Kniaz Drew Marley Kerry Marley Emil haney neil & Mary Bard Eric S. haney neil & Mary Bard Erin harvey Blasinski alan & Diane Harvey Matthew Blasinski Fred lemon Eileen Manning gary hansen abigail ter Maat gerald Spiewak Elizabeth Roxworthy grant Delzer Mandy Kamps heidi Fritz watson Jay Fotland james and Margaret luther Kathleen Howe David luther Mario Calderon Mary & lyle lundgren Connie Hoisington james j. Schwabe Dr. Michael & Edie Schwabe anne Straube jeff Trendel Susan levine & Kevin Mackey jim Mohr Christine Schmelling joan wiegand todd & Kris Wiegand john haack Gary Dunsmoor julia Riley Kimberly & thomas Walz justin Demand Karen & Ben Diamond kathryn Alice Trudell Joan larson

Marilyn Imler

Jeff & Betty Imler

Mark August johnson Cynthia langlois Mary l. Blasdel association of Retired Conservationists

Maurice & Elda Stillmank paul Stillmank

Melvin Sensenbrenner Robert & nancy Schaefer Mr. Ron kurowski Milliman Solutions paul Brandt Merle & nancy Biggin paul Mueller annie Mueller Joan F langenfeld paul Smith Kimberly Snider peg Mallery William & Kimberly Gabby phyllis Cockfield Diane Murphy Richard Bergman Marty & Rosanne poe Rick jones John Kraniak

Roy Mercer Carol Diggelman Carolyn Morse Ruby panek James nepola Sandra lee gray Kerman Eckes Seanna holtz Erin lehaney John & Cathy Harrington Cheryl Rezabek Janice ulrich Mary Jean Huston & Richard Wojciak Signe Holtz

Judi Jacky Barbara Zellmer patrick Jaeger alice Jenson peter & paula touhey Eugene Freck Deborah & luke Gillespie Snake Winston armbruster Steve hughes patricia tobin warren Frost Darcy Connors william R. Elman J. alexandra Elman

Many thanks to

supporters:

EWisconsin is inhandsyour

An American Toad found by Catherine Nguyen, intern in the 2022 Diversity in Conservation Internship Program, during a hike in the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest.