Awards Ceremony and Dinner
Accepting the Leopold Awards are Dorothy and John Priske (left), the Pines family (center), and David Cordray and Debra Noell (right).
On October 13, 2011 100 people came to the Arboretum Visitor Center to honor this year's Leopold Restoration Award recipients. Linda Bochert, FOA Board President emeritus, served as the evening's master of ceremonies.
During the program, she acknowledged the participation of the program's financial supporters, the contributions of the Leopold Judges' Team, and the assistance of the many volunteers who work hard to create this important event. This year, the judges were pleased to bestow three awards to honor the work being done by three couples committed to the restoration of Wisconsin's natural heritage. All winners received the John Nolen Award for Excellence in Ecological Restoration Practices.
David Cordray and Debra Noell received an award for restoration on their property near Belleville. They were nominated for this award by Darcy Kind, private lands biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Landowner Incentive Program. The results from their passion, commitment and personal investment of time, labor and financial resources are impressive: 100 acres of ecologically rich and biologically diverse southern oak woods, oak savanna, wetland and prairie.
John and Dorothy Priske were recognized for work on their Fountain Prairie Farm near Columbus. They were nominated for this award by Alan Crossley, wildlife biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. John and Dorothy transformed a traditional row crop-intensive farm into a model of sustainable, wildlife-enhancing, environmentally healthy farming. They restored several large wetlands, acres of prairies, and a stream into an environment teaming with wildlife and a vast array of native plants. The Priskes have become leaders in their farming community and serve as a role model for a new way of farming.
Phill and Joan Pines were honored for restoration of their property near Wisconsin Dells. Sadly, the conservation community lost a good friend recently, with Phill's untimely death in a plane crash. We were very grateful to his family for joining us to recognize his work. This couple's 2,500 acres of riparian lowlands in Columbia County border five miles of the Wisconsin River and provide habitat for countless rare and endangered animals, birds and plants. Fallow fields have become diverse prairies; local conservation groups, an environmental charter school and countless other conservation and restoration groups have witnessed the results of their restoration efforts. Phill and Joan's substantial resolve was tested when they sought to restore a stream to its historic course, reestablishing the stream and floodplain forest it ran through and raising the water level close to what existed prior to drainage. They eventually received the necessary permits, and the stream and wetlands have come to life as the water reclaimed the land.
A silent auction was also part of the event, with several lucky winners going home with items donated by local businesses, artists, and individuals. We look forward to celebrating next year's Leopold Restoration Award winners at the Arboretum Visitor Center on October 11, 2012. We hope you will join us for this important event.
Special thanks
The Leopold Restoration Awards program is a large and complex endeavor that could not take place without the support and hard work of talented volunteers. Many thanks to the following individuals and organizations for their support:
Volunteers:
- Barbara Anderson
- Peter Anderson
- Bill Arthur
- Ellie Beck
- Linda Bochert
- Pat Brown
- Matt Carlson
- Susan Carpenter
- Tim Eisele
- Friends of the Arboretum Board of Directors
- Fran Keally
- Susan Kilmer
- Darcy Kind
- Judy Kingsbury
- Terri Lefebvre
- Nancy Mead
- Emma Minkoff
- Ann Sauthoff
- Jennifer Skolaski
- Linda Taplick
- West Side Garden Club
- Nan M. Zimdars
Judges:
- Tom Blewett, chair
- Evelyn Howell
- Buddy Huffaker
- Darcy Kind
- Becky Sapper
2011 Leopold Award Sponsors
Event Sponsor:
Affiliated Construction Services, Inc.
Corporate Sponsor:
American Family Insurance
Table Hosts:
Michael Best and Friedrich, LL
Business Sponsor:
JFNew
Friends' Sponsors:
Applied Ecological Services
Learn more about the 2011 winners.