David Attenborough, in his recent book A Life on Our Planet, reminds us of humanity’s crucial role in protecting and stewarding the natural world. Based on data provided by the National Academy of Sciences, he shares that “96 percent of the mass of all the mammals on earth is made up of our bodies and those of the animals we raise to eat.” The remaining scant 4% includes all wild animals on earth, from voles to whales. This startling fact illustrates the immense responsibility we have to protect and restore nature on earth.
As fall turns to winter, let’s reflect on our role in supporting the diversity of life here in Wisconsin. NRF members are protecting fall’s colorful prairies to hike through, the trees that give us crisp autumn leaves, and the pollinators that
OUR MISSION
support our farms. By safeguarding biologically diverse landscapes, we not only protect wildlife but also nurture the ecosystems that sustain all life, including our own.
Each action we take, whether large or small, brings us closer to restoring the balance between humans and our natural world. Thank you for the actions you take to accomplish our shared mission of protecting the lands, waters, and wildlife of Wisconsin for generations to come.
David Clutter, Executive Director
Protecting Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife by providing funding, leading partnerships, and connecting all people to nature.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tom Dott, Board Chair
Dave Adam, Vice Chair
Kris Euclide, Secretary
Marty Henert, Treasurer
Amy Alstad
James Bennett
Linda Bochert Bruce Braun
Gade
Gaskill
Gaumnitz
Haefner
Johnson
Kristine Krause
Mark LaBarbera
Tom Olson
Halie Tenor
Scott Valitchka
Michael Williamson
David Zeug
FOUNDATION STAFF
David Clutter, Executive Director
Michaela Daly, Executive Assistant
Shari Henning, Operations Director
Brenna Holzhauer, Grant Writer
Alex Kaspar, Gifts and Grants Administrator
Kim Kreitinger, Field Trip Coordinator
Jane Nicholson, Annual Giving Manager
Emma Schatz, Digital Communications Coordinator
Ben Strand, Philanthropy Advisor
Christine Tanzer, Field Trip Director
Lindsey Taylor, Conservation Coordinator
Shelly Torkelson, Communications Director
Marta Weldon, Director of Philanthropy
Caitlin Williamson, Director of Conservation WisConservation.org
GO OUTSIDE
YOU’RE GETTING YOUNG PEOPLE OUTDOORS FOR HANDS-ON LEARNING
ELKHART - Glenbeulah seventh graders spent two days at the Sheboygan County Marsh learning about the value of the wetland ecosystem and its impact on the community.
“Many students named it as their favorite highlight from the school year, and some even said it was their favorite field trip ever.
EAGLE RIVER - North Lakeland Discovery Center hosted 45 elementary school students for a field day experience. Students learned about decomposition in the forest, aquatic insects in the lake, and frogs. They also visited the Nature Center and Nature Playscape.
“This school would not have been able to attend our field day without this grant funding.
NATURE IS FOREVER
MADISON - One City Schools purchased 40 rain suits for their 4K classrooms. The suits gave the preschoolers lots of uninterrupted play time to discover the natural wonders of water, mud, and puddles!
As a teacher, I love that [the rainsuits] give my students a more adventurous outlook on their play, and the rain suits help them feel secure in the fact that it’s ‘OK’ to get messy.
THE GO OUTSIDE FUND AND TEACHERS’ OUTDOOR FUND
We know that nature provides tremendous physical and mental health benefits – yet today’s children spend less than 1% of their time outside. NRF’s Go Outside Fund and Teachers’ Outdoor Environmental Education Fund connect youth to outdoor, nature-based learning experiences. Teachers or partner organizations may apply for funding to cover costs of getting kids outside and hands-on with nature, such as purchasing field supplies, or paying for transportation, substitute teachers, or educator costs. Donate to NRF’s environmental education work by visiting WisConservation.org/Donate
Using a microscope to identify the macroinvertebrates the student’s group collected.
Collecting creatures and studying water quality at Statehouse Lake.
Preschoolers in their new rainsuits adding various natural materials to their mud creations, including twigs, wood chips, and rocks.
CONTINUE YOUR ADVENTURES
ACCESSIBILITY OPTIONS AT WI STATE PARK PROPERTIES
By Shelly Torkelson, Communications Director
From accessible trails to adaptive kayaks, there are many adaptive equipment options to help you explore our beautiful state. Here’s a few you might not be aware of:
• Rentable all-terrain outdoor wheelchairs with tank-like tracks perfect for “off-roading”
• Adaptive kayaks for rent featuring enhanced stability, support, and bracing
• Beach wheelchairs and beach access mats
• 59 universal trails (like boardwalks and paved, crushed granite, or limestone trails)
“You don’t have to show up in a wheelchair or have a handicap parking sticker to use this stuff,” pointed out Nick Zouski, Accessibility Coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “I think the general public has kind
ACCESSIBLE FIELD TRIPS
of a misconception that you have to be severely disabled to use the adaptive equipment… really, anyone can. Someone who’s older and has balance issues, for example — go ahead and rent an adaptive kayak just like you would any other kayak.”
At NRF, we often fund accessibility improvements through our grant programs. Some recent examples include an accessible fishing pier at Copper Falls State Park, a new outdoor wheelchair at Point Beach State Forest, accessible viewing platforms at Navarino Nature Center, and a new trail and boardwalk/deck to improve access to the Nemahbin Spring feature at at Kettle Moraine State Forest - Lapham Peak Unit.
NRF, the Wisconsin DNR, and our other conservation partners are on a journey to make the outdoors a welcoming place for all.
Check out all the DNR’s accessibility resources at dnr.wi.gov/ topic/OpenOutdoors
Field Trips in Wisconsin’s Urban Nature Gem
By Jaeden Carrasquillo, Communications Intern
YOU’RE TEACHING THE IMPORTANCE OF GREEN SPACES IN CITIES
Milwaukee is home to not only 600,000 Wisconsinites, but also to a variety of urban ecosystems and wildlife species. Natural areas throughout the county include woodlands, prairies, ephemeral (temporary) wetlands, and the sandy shores of Lake Michigan. Common critters that call Milwaukee home include white-tailed deer, downy woodpeckers and prairie crayfish. A few of the most common native plants to the city are common milkweed, stiff goldenrod, wild geranium, and many more!
The Natural Resources Foundation is committed to reaching every part of Wisconsin that we can to make our Field Trips as accessible and representative of our state as possible. Milwaukee is no exception to that.
Participants on Milwaukee-area Field Trips learn how urban environments and nature can coexist. We have been doing Field Trips in Milwaukee for the better part of two decades! Our first Milwaukee Field Trip took place in the summer of 1995 at Havenwoods State Forest.
None of our efforts to make Wisconsin’s natural areas accessible would be possible without everyone doing their part. Thank you!
Wondering which NRF Field Trips are the best match for your abilities? Trip titles in the Field Trip Guidebook are color coded with a physical demand rating to help you decide whether the activity level is right for you. Thirty of the trips in 2024 were accessible to users of standard wheelchairs. Five trips had free all-terrain outdoor wheelchairs available for rent on-site. And — new in 2024 — trail descriptions were added so attendees have more detailed information about the terrain.
WisConservation.org/Field-Trips-Accessibility
An American toad found on the trail at Havenwoods State Forest in Milwaukee.
FIELD TRIP SEASON HIGHLIGHTS Banding American kestrel nestlings in Portage County.
paddling at Horicon Marsh
Dodge County.
“Hefty” Horned Lark, the winner of this spring’s frst ever Wisconsin Fat Bird Week online contest.
DOING A FAT LOT OF GOOD
BIRDERS UNITE TO PROTECT WISCONSIN’S BIRDS THROUGH THE GREAT WISCONSIN BIRDATHON AND WISCONSIN FAT BIRD WEEK
Wisconsin’s incredible birding community has done it again!
This year’s Great Wisconsin Birdathon saw more than 600 birders come together to raise $117,846 to protect Wisconsin’s birds. These donations support the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin’s Bird Protection Fund, which supports Wisconsin’s highest-priority bird conservation projects
Our birders, team captains, donors, and sponsors are the reason the Birdathon soars each year. We are grateful to our amazing “flock” for supporting our mission to bring birds back.
BIRDATHON BY THE NUMBERS
86 TEAMS
280
600+
Projects funded by this year’s Great Wisconsin Birdathon:
• Advancing Bird Conservation within Wisconsin’s Important Bird Area System – Wisconsin Bird Conservation Partnership
• Audubon Conservation Ranching – Audubon Great Lakes
• Bird Conservation for All – BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin
• Building an Inclusive Bird Conservation Partnership for Milwaukee – Lake Michigan Bird Observatory
• Endangered Bird Conservation (Piping Plover and Kirtland’s Warbler) – Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
• Lincoln Creek Habitat Research and Restoration – Nearby Nature
• Long-term Bird Monitoring at Restoration Sites on the Oneida Nation Reservation – Northeastern Wisconsin Bird Alliance
• Open Spaces, Bird-Friendly Places – The Prairie Enthusiasts
• Save Our Songbirds: Bird Protection in Southern Wisconsin through Community Outreach – Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance
• Whooping Crane Reintroduction – International Crane Foundation
During this year’s Birdathon, NRF and our partners at SOS Save Our Songbirds launched a new way to energize bird-admirers: Wisconsin Fat Bird Week! During the contest, the public voted daily in a bracket-style tournament for their favorite “fat bird” — and learned how to help Wisconsin’s native birds along the way. Tens of thousands of people participated.
Enter your photos by November 1.
RESTORING LULU LAKE STATE NATURAL AREA
By Emma Schatz, Digital Communications Coordinator
YOU’RE PROTECTING OUR MOST CHERISHED NATURAL COMMUNITIES
Located just outside of Milwaukee, Lulu Lake State Natural Area is a remarkable landscape featuring a diverse mix of wetlands and uplands shaped by ancient glaciers. The mosaic of bogs, fens, sedge meadows, and prairies found here provide essential habitat for many plant and wildlife species.
Lulu Lake is widely known for its ecological importance. It’s part of the globally recognized Southern Kettles landscape, and has been designated as a Wisconsin Wetland Gem.
The lake and its surrounding landscapes are a refuge for natural communities that have nearly vanished from southeastern Wisconsin, including the globally imperiled oak savanna. Before European colonization, Wisconsin was home to over 5.5 million acres of oak openings — fire-dependent savannas characterized by 10-60% canopy cover. Today, only about 500 acres remain, with 50 to 90 of those precious acres found at Lulu Lake.
The Natural Resources Foundation is proud to partner with the Wisconsin DNR to restore and preserve this historic landscape for generations to come. In 2021, NRF’s Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund supported the DNR’s Lulu Lake Savanna Enhancement Project. Founded in 2012, this fund helps create permanent support for the care and management of lands and waters loved by hikers, birders, hunters, and anglers alike.
This project is improving connectivity across more than 200 acres of Lulu Lake by restoring agricultural fields to prairie, spreading native prairie seed, controlling invasive species, and more.
NRF continues to support the DNR’s restoration work at Lulu Lake. In 2023 and 2024, several NRF grants funded forestry mowing across 17 acres to control invasive brush, additional native prairie seeding, and more. These restoration efforts have helped restore the grasslands at Lulu, making the area more suitable for grassland birds, the fastest declining bird group in Wisconsin. Thank you for helping to support this rare and important landscape!
From Same-Sex Waterfowl to Polyamorous Eagles
By Emilee Martell
YOU’RE PROTECTING WISCONSIN’S INCREDIBLE DIVERSITY OF SPECIES
For numerous bird species, queerness provides benefits. Swans and geese, for instance, mate for life and have high numbers of same-sex breeding pairs. Female couples are able to pick out the fittest males to mate with every year, and raise double broods of eggs together. Male couples take advantage of their combined strength to claim the best territory, and will use a surrogate female to lay eggs in their nest.
And, sometimes, a couple just isn’t enough! A trio of polyamorous eagles was caught on a nest camera in the Upper Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Refuge. As many have noted, this is just one nest among thousands, very few of which are regularly monitored by humans. Who knows what other fascinating families are out there among our native species?
Meet a Conservationist
By Emma Schatz, Digital Communications Coordinator
DAVIN LOPEZ, CONSERVATION BIOLOGIST AT THE WISCONSIN DNR
For as long as he can remember, Davin Lopez has always wanted to work with animals. Growing up, he loved looking for insects, lizards, and any other animals he could find. Davin grew up in Denver, Colorado and attended New Mexico State University where he studied Zoology and Physical Anthropology. After school, Davin worked at the Denver Zoo and Pueblo Zoo before attending graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh doing work in population ecology. In graduate school, Davin started as a field technician with the Wisconsin DNR’s Chronic Wasting Disease program. He went on to take over as the statewide coordinator for that program. Since 2011, Davin has worked with the DNR’s Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation where he has worked with wolves, whooping cranes, and Kirtland’s warblers.
Davin currently serves as the DNR’s whooping crane reintroduction coordinator and also leads the Kirtland’s warbler conservation project. Although they are still recovering, one of Davin’s proudest achievements has been being a part of the delisting of the Kirtland’s warbler.
Reflecting on his work with the whooping cranes, Davin says, “trying to secure the future of whooping cranes, one of the most iconic animals in terms of endangered species in
For more examples of the wonderful diversity in sex, gender, families, and relationships found in our native Midwestern species, read Emilee’s full guest blog at WisConservation.org/Blog
the history of North America, is incredibly rewarding.” He hopes to secure a successful Wisconsin population in the eastern flyway, saying that would be a “feather in my cap, no pun intended.”
Swans and geese mate for life and have high numbers of same-sex pairs.
JULIE WIDHOLM
Davin is the DNR’s whooping crane reintroduction coordinator and leads the Kirtland’s warbler conservation project.
WELCOME, BECKIE!
MEET OUR NEW BOARD MEMBER, BECKIE GASKILL
Beckie has been an outdoor and environmental reporter and content creator for over a decade. She writes the Outdoors Section for The Lakeland Times as a freelance journalist. She has written for Wisconsin Outdoor News, Price County Review, and others. She is also an associate director for the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and is the editor of their newspaper. She is the Vilas County rep for Lumberjack RC&D and is a Master Naturalist. Beckie is involved in a variety of citizen science projects including Salt Watch, Nitrate Watch, Clean Boats Clean Waters, and The WI Frog and Toad Survey. She is a Water Action Volunteers stream monitor as well as a NOAA storm spotter. Beckie has her own podcast and YouTube channel, and is active on social media for a variety of businesses and non-profits. She has also recently launched a Substack entitled “Midwest Conservation”.
WELCOME, SCOTT!
MEET OUR NEW BOARD MEMBER, SCOTT VALITCHKA
Scott has three decades of consumer products manufacturing, organizational development, and process improvement experience with several of Wisconsin’s paper-based consumer products manufacturers. Scott has distinguished himself as a skillful consultant, facilitator, problem solver, and coach in manufacturing operations, corporate staff, and cross-cultural settings. Now in semi-retirement, he focuses on family activities, consulting, being an adjunct instructor for Fox Valley Technical College, and his winter work as a professional ski instructor.
His volunteer activities include leading NRF Field Trips, teaching whitewater kayaking, and a long tenure with the Trees for Tomorrow Advisory Council. Canoeing, hiking, cross country and downhill skiing, exploring Midwest waterfalls, making maple syrup on family forest land, hunting, and attending summer plays around the state are among Scott’s many hobbies and interests.
WELCOME, BEN!
MEET OUR NEW PHILANTHROPY ADVISOR, BEN STRAND
Ben grew up in the Driftless region of southwestern Wisconsin and makes his home in Milton, Wisconsin with his family. With over twenty years of non-profit experience, he’s excited to join the team at NRF. Ben began his non-profit career with River Network and received two undergraduate degrees from UW-Madison and an MFA from Goddard College. He has focused on major gifts for the last ten years, including serving as the Senior Gift Officer and Interim Executive Director at the UW-Whitewater Foundation.
Ben enjoys learning about Wisconsin’s unique cultural and environmental landscapes. His research culminated into the book, A Black Hawk War Guide, which explores the 1832 conflict between American Indian communities and the United States regular troops and militias. His favorite bird is the Kingfisher, but he’s pretty proud of having discovered a turkey nest and hummingbird nest in the wild.
RENEWING YOUR HUNTING OR FISHING LICENSE?
Consider making a donation to the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund when renewing through the DNR’s GoWild online license system. Improve habitat at state-owned fisheries, forests, prairies, streams, and lakes across Wisconsin that we all cherish.
Learn more at WisConservation.org/Cherish
IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY
FEBRUARY 1, 2024 THROUGH JULY 31, 2024
HONORARY GIFTS
The Foundation recognizes gifts made in honor of the following:
Carl Becker
Jane Kesting
Paul Brandt
Martha M. Kronholm
Burly Brellenthin & Becki Bates
Anonymous
Sara & Adam Cherry
Valerie Kero
Elaine Gudbrandsen
Anonymous
Pat Henke
Judith & James Schwarzmeier
Shari Henning
Victoria Loudon
Julie Hladky
Julie & Paul Hladky
Dr. Jessica Hua
Friends of Cherokee Marsh
Theresa Kondzela
Douglas Hosler
Carly Lapin
Nicolet College
Anne Leske
Sylvia Rowley
Tuck Mallery
Lynda & Stephen Bany
Laura Broomell
David Broomell & Jamie Schwartz
Patty & Ed Neumueller
Richard & Donna Reinardy
Jay O’Connell
Debra O’Connell
MEMORIAL GIFTS
Armin Abajian
Rachel Abajian
James T. Addis
Association of Retired
Conservationists
Milt & Jacki Friend
Linda H. Bochert & David J. Hanson
James & Esther Huntoon
Marguerite & Samuel Lamerato
Donna Waddell & Kenneth Langenecker
Peter McKeever
Lewis & Vicki Posekany
Ronald Semmann
Rick & Joan Shook
Jeffrey Smoller
Candice Stuart
Lyman & Lyn Wible
Clark M. Amundsen
Association of Retired Conservationists
Tom Bergholz
Katie Myhre
Delores Borgstrom
Anonymous
Mark Brickman
Cheryl A. Brickman
Sam Brown
Barbara Roeber & Larry Black
Mariana Cogswell Weinhold
CDW
Roma E. Lenehan
Andrea Maulick
Tim J. Coughlin
Maripat Coughlin
Proust Robert Thomas &
Knudson
Susan Reed Victoria Andrews
Barbara Shiffer
Ryan Shiffer
Robert Stanisch
Marge Schroeder
Robert Steger
Steve & Lynn Schober
Wisconsin DNR Employees
Rebecca Belmont
Ron Ziebell
Tim Conrad
The Foundation recognizes gifts made in memory of the following:
Alan Fronczak
Barbara Nellis
Annette Frye Waddington
Lizzie Dodds
Jennifer & Mike Hansen
Julie & Jim Ladky
Lisa & Chad Rasmussen
Amanda Tuttle Kemnitz
Melanie Funseth
Amy Fisher
Carol Giltz
Lewis Koch & Ann Behrmann
Remy Nelson
Thomas A. Heberlein
Lyman & Lyn Wible
Charles Hein
Kirsten Mackler
Bill Henke
Judith & James Schwarzmeier
Allan Jaber
David Jaber
Andrew Jennings
Sheila Jennings George
Fredric A. Jones
Johnson Financial Group
Joann Sustachek
David Ladd
Sandra & Thomas Bartelt
Barry Norem
Todd A. Ligman
Jessica Beyer
Peggy Mallery
Kathryn Daly
Randall & Catherine Lawton
Peter & Joan Ziegler
TJ Mara Zach Papenhausen
John Markiewicz
Margaret Bade
Drew Marley
Kerry Marley
Parker Matzinger
Betsy & Jim Matzinger
Cindy McBride
Stephanie Dobrinska
Ella Josephine Metzler Koch
Laura Pierret
Barry Mitchell
Colleen Marsden & Holly Anderson
Mika
Naomi Tillison
Warren “Bud” Mullikin
Lucille Finch
Jeffery Mullikin
George & Judith Van Beek
Frances Neitzel
Dan & Joey Seehafer
Patty Neumueller
Lauren Koshere
Duane Michael Phillips
Daphnie Phillips
Douglas W. Radke
Mary & Dennis Hayden
Chris L. Rainey
Jeff Grussing
Additional photo credits for this issue: Shelly Torkelson, courtesy of Beckie Gaskill, courtesy of Scott Valitchka, and courtesy of Ben Strand.
Sharon Ann Rapp-Dietsche
Mike & Pat Brophy
Marilyn Huckenpoehler & Lynn Wolter
Karla & Gregory Konicke
Shelley Stoltz
Katie Tooher
Reuben Reddeman
Tami Strang
Thomas D. Roskopf
Vicki Zipf
Kevin Schreiber
Owen Brown
Brad Sherman
Steven J. Nass
Linda Sims
Dr. Candye Andrus & Roxanne Shoemaker
Jerald D. Slack
Association of Retired
Conservationists
Ronald Semmann
Maurice & Elda Stillmank
Barbara Nellis
Paul Stillmank
Thomas Toepfer
Pamela Graham
Erin Vander Loop
Lynn Vander Loop
Ken Wiedmeyer
Donald & Elizabeth Tills
James Allen Wirch
Barbara Schneeberger
Charles & Mary Stusek
MANY THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS
This internship helped me realize that I can complete any task, no matter how challenging. I would love to become a field researcher who specializes in either birds or amphibians and reptiles.
- CORT TAYLOR, ONE OF NRF’S 2024 DIVERSITY IN CONSERVATION INTERNS
