Years




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Years




As we mark 40 years of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, I’m struck by how much has changed—and how much has stayed the same. Having served with NRF for nearly a third of those years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing our evolution firsthand.
I’ve learned from extraordinary leaders, from Ron Semmann and Marty Henert to Charlie Luthin and Ruth Oppedahl, from colleagues like Barb Barzen and Christine Tanzer, as well as visionaries like Bruce Braun and George Meyer, whose legacies continue to guide conservation in Wisconsin.
I’ve seen persistent challenges: chronic underfunding for land stewardship and environmental education, and mounting pressures on rare species and habitats.
But I’ve also seen resilience and progress—thanks to partners, donors, volunteers, and advocates like you.
Our 40 years of impact belongs to you. Thank you for carrying conservation work forward, and for supporting NRF’s mission.


David Clutter Executive Director
Dave Adam
Board Chair
Michael Williamson
Vice Chair
Kris Euclide
Secretary
Marty Henert
Treasurer
James Bennett
Beckie Gaskill
Lisa Gaumnitz
Rebecca Haefner
Jaimes Johnson
Kristine Krause
Scott Valitchka
David Zeug
FOUNDATION STAFF
David Clutter
Executive Director
Michaela Daly
Grant Writer and Tech Coordinator
Naomi Hadley
Donor Relations Coordinator
Shari Henning
Administrative Director
Marie Jensen
OUR MISSION
Protecting Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife by providing funding, leading partnerships, and connecting all people with nature.

“I’ve lived in Wisconsin for 80+ years. Every year, I’ve discovered a new part of my home. NRF Field Trips are my source of discovery.”
–2025 Field Trip participant
Conservation Program Specialist
Alex Kaspar
Gifts and Grants Administrator
Kim Kreitinger
Field Trip Coordinator
Natasha Norman
Administrative Assistant
Jane Nicholson
Annual Giving Manager
Chris Ott
Major Gift Officer
Emma Schatz
Digital Communications Coordinator
Ben Strand
Director of Philanthropy
Christine Tanzer
Field Trip Director
Shelly Torkelson
Communications Director
Tim Vargo
SE Wisconsin Conservation
Collaborative Coordinator
Marcy West
Landscape Initiatives Advisor
Caitlin Williamson
Director of Conservation

WE’RE ENTERING OUR PRIME!
Since 1986, we’ve been on a mission to protect Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife and to connect all people with nature.
From trumpeter swans to accessible trails, from exploring Wisconsin on Field Trips to building school pollinator gardens, we couldn’t do any of it without our members, supporters, and partner organizations. We hope you’ll join us this year to celebrate! Check our website throughout the year for updates, events, webinars, and more. Thank you for being part of our first 40 years of impact.
WISCONSERVATION.ORG/40TH

$14 MILLION FOR CONSERVATION
$5.3 MILLION FOR WILDLIFE
$1.8 MILLION FOR BIRDS
3,321 CONSERVATION PROJECTS SUPPORTED
21,474 ACRES RESTORED
86,390 CHILDREN LEARNING OUTDOORS
4,444 FIELD TRIPS OFFERED
COMING SOON! NEW WISCONSIN CONSERVATION FILM
The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is partnering with PBS Wisconsin on an exciting and ambitious hour- long documentary that focuses on people across our state who dedicate their lives to conservation. As part of this strategic partnership, NRF has provided funding, subject matter expertise, and guidance. Filming is underway!
Save the date for one of our Panel Discussion & Film Sneak Peek events this fall, and stay tuned for more information about how you can watch the final film on PBS.
10/21 MADISON
1 0/24 MILWAUKEE

The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is formed
In the mid 1980’s, proposed budget cuts threatened the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In response, the Natural Resources Board created a nonprofit to raise funds for Wisconsin’s natural resources.
“I watched the birth of NRF as an organization. That was 40 years ago. To put 40 years into some sort of perspective, in 1986 I was the mother of a 2-year-old. Today I am a grandma. I see NRF as the living legacy of its four visionary leaders: C.D. “Buzz” Besadny, Bruce Braun, Ron Semmann and Marty Henert.” – Linda Bochert, former board member
Endowment funds
Through the Wisconsin Conservation Endowment, individuals and organizations who care deeply about our natural resources have the opportunity to leave a legacy of sustained support. Carla and Neal Butenhoff established a fund to support Wisconsin’s trails in honor of Carla’s parents, Norma and Stanley DeBoer. Paul Brandt created a fund to support wildlife habitat along the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway. Retired botanist Jim Bennett started a fund to protect rare plants in our state in 2006. The list goes on, and NRF now manages millions in assets
Once nearly extinct—only 69 individuals were left in 1935—trumpeter swans have made a remarkable comeback thanks to the Trumpeter Swan Recovery Program, supported early on by the Foundation. Today, over 11,000 swans grace Wisconsin’s skies.
The Foundation’s first grant for environmental education supported the development of the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center in Babcock, Wisconsin. Since it was constructed, the center has hosted many workshops on hunting, orienteering, and other activities focused on wildlife education and recreation.
“Though the workshops and other uses of the Outdoor Skills Center have changed over the years, the building is an important part of the Sandhill outdoor education program.”
–Vicki Palen, Friends of Sandhill
The Foundation is committed to connecting people to nature through education, starting with the Teachers Outdoor Environmental Education Fund created by Peter Ostlind in 2009, followed by the Go Outside Fund. Throughout the years, we’ve granted out nearly $2 million to nature-based learning across Wisconsin.
“I had fun on the trip when we got to pick the bugs out of the water and identify them.”
–Claire, 7th grade student who attended a school trip to a local marsh funded by NRF
The Birdathon takes flight Wisconsin’s largest bird conservation fundraiser, the Great Wisconsin Birdathon, has raised more than $1 million for Wisconsin’s birds since its inception.
NRF and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources created a unique way to permanently fund the care and management of lands and waters cherished by outdoor recreationists, which is built through donations made during hunting and fishing license purchases or given directly to the Fund.
The Foundation’s first grant to help people with a variety of physical abilities enjoy nature was for a wheelchair accessible trail. Since then, the Foundation has also helped build accessible cabins and fishing piers, purchase all-terrain wheelchairs, and more.
“I’d love to see more universal trails. Almost everyone who goes to a state property wants to hike.”
–Nick Zouski, Accessibility Coordinator, Wisconsin DNR
Anonymous
$500,000 donation for pollinators
Since this generous donation in 2019, the Foundation has invested over $800,000 in native pollinator conservation across the state and put nearly $3 million to work total when matching funds are included.
“We decided it was time to support pollinators because they are the unsung heroes of the special ecosystems we enjoy in Wisconsin.”
–Anonymous donors
To help connect more Wisconsinites with the outdoors, the Foundation created the Field Trip program in 1993. During its first full year, the program hosted 42 trips and had 582 participants. Since then, over 86,000 total participants have joined us in the field. Now at age 40, NRF is hosting a whopping 280 Field Trips this year!
NRF’s internship program provides meaningful experiences for undergraduates interested in careers in natural resource conservation. Every year we host up to 10 interns who are each paired with a Wisconsin conservation organization. Valuing diverse voices, perspectives, and approaches is the best way to create healthy, resilient natural communities for generations to come.
Climate adaptation project support ramps up
In 2022, with support from our members and partners, the Foundation began focusing on how to prepare Wisconsin’s incredible landscapes for warmer, wetter weather and more unpredictable weather events.
“Healthy and diverse habitats can better absorb the stresses of a rapidly changing climate.”
–Amy Staffen, conservation biologist, Wisconsin DNR
funding
We protect Wisconsin’s most imperiled species and unique landscapes, so in 2004 we increased funding for Wisconsin’s 694 State Natural Areas. 2026 is the SNA program’s 75th anniversary!

Launch of landscape-scale conservation efforts
Conserving Wisconsin’s amazing landscapes for the long run means working together—at a larger scale than ever before. We believe landscape-scale work is the future of conservation.
2026
Protecting Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife and connecting all people to nature for 40 more years.
From the Northwoods to the southern prairies, from the Mississippi to the Great Lakes, your support is making a difference.
When we celebrated our 20th anniversary in 2006, our foundation had given out a total of $1.3 million dollars throughout our entire history.
In 2025 alone, you helped NRF support 190 conservation and environmental education projects which totaled $1,001,380
Your impact is truly incredible. Thank you for protecting Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife and connecting all people with nature!


Thanks to an NRF grant, the Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation was able to monitor water levels and changes in the native aquatic plant community across the Turtle Flambeau Flowage as part of an effort to control invasive Eurasian watermilfoil.

The Neighborhood House of Milwaukee removed invasive garlic mustard and wild parsnip from a large area around their rusty patched bumblebee hive with help from an NRF grant. They also hired new Stewardship and Education staff to use the newly parsnip-free habitat to teach school groups all about pollinators and other wildlife.

ecosystem, but they’re hard to find. They are nocturnal, and spend most of their days hiding under logs and leaf litter or underground to stay moist. Your best chance to spot one is during the spring and late summer when they migrate to and from ephemeral ponds (temporary wetlands created by melting snow and spring rain) for breeding. “Ephemeral ponds are a biodiversity hotspot, and amphibians serve as a really important prey item for a lot of species,” points out Rich Staffen, a Wisconsin DNR conservation biologist.
Their secretive lives have made it quite challenging to monitor salamander populations. They require masses (sacks filled with eggs) which they lay in ponds. Thanks to support from NRF’s Wisconsin Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Fund, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources deployed the first of its kind Wisconsin Salamander Survey.

“There’s no way we’d be able to get all of these surveys done without the help from our volunteers,” added Madison Wikston, the DNR biologist leading this new effort. 85 volunteers helped the team monitor 31 ephemeral ponds across Wisconsin in 2025. This community-based science project will help scientists better understand populations of salamanders in the future.
By Lucas LoBreglio, Wisconsin
private ownership and a wide array of ecosystems benefit from prescribed fire.

After our experience facilitating this spring’s Prescribed Fire Training For Wisconsin Landowners with support from NRF’s C.D.Besadny Conservation Fund, it’s safe to say that Wisconsinites are ready and eager to get involved with prescribed fire. Last spring, our team of staff and volunteers convened landowners from across the state for two days of intensive education on a privatelyowned site in Tomah, Wisconsin. Day one covered wildland fire behavior, history, ecology, fire
Landowners were excited to gain hands-on experience with prescribed fire during a two-day training.
implementation, proper weather conditions, and more. Day two focused on live fire exercises.
As the program came to a close, one thing became clear: each landowner felt empowered to make decisions about prescribed fire on their property, whether it involved hiring a contractor, collaborating with neighbors, or seeking further experience with the goal of leading their own burns.

“Dew-covered blue dasher” by william Petersen Goose Island County Park, La Crosse County
“I photographed this young female blue dasher dragonfly in a spot I’ve dubbed “The Mayor’s Office” because during a late summer sunrise, several dew-covered dragonflies can sometimes be found there. The image is a perfect example showing that in Wisconsin, you don’t need 12,000-foot mountain ranges or sweeping canyon vistas to find incredibly beautiful subjects in nature.”

“Buck on a frosty November morning” by Elaina Brossman UW Madison Arboretum, Dane County

“Sandhill cranes flying” by Elaina Brossman Ferry Bluff State Natural Area, Sauk County

“Ermine in the woods” by Cheryl Plautz Melford, Taylor County
Our annual Photo Contest will be back again this fall! Sign up for our emails to be notified when the 2026 contest opens: wisConservation.org/Signup

“Northern Lights foliage” by Steven Thompson Horicon Marsh, Dodge County

“Amanita Muscaria mushroom” by Philip Knapp Iron River, Bayfield County

No matter how you slice it, the Southern Kettles are special. Ancient glaciers sculpted a dramatic landscape of hills, kettles (glacial depressions), and other features that provide a global refuge for rare ecosystems and species threatened with extinction. Huge wetlands, rare fens and bogs, oak savannas beloved by native birds, and verdant prairies abound in this landscape. Wisconsin hosts its share of endangered and threatened species, and many are found here including one of Wisconsin’s largest concentrations of hooded warbler, listed as Threatened.
The area is located roughly halfway between Wisconsin’s two largest cities, but contains some of the biggest swaths of undeveloped land in the entire southeastern part of the state. The publicly owned lands of the Kettle Moraine State Forest are an anchor at the center of the area, but 65% of the landscape is privately owned.
This combination of private and public land is ripe for collaborative conservation. Recently, a group of conservation organizations have come together to expand existing local work to a larger, landscape scale and co-create a resilient future for the Southern Kettles. NRF is proud to be a part of it. This special region deserves special care.
Thank you to the Estate of Thomas Ganfield, the
Network for Landscape Conservation, and NRF’s donors and members for supporting this important work. In conservation, we can accomplish more together than we can separately.
1.5 million people enjoy hiking, birding, biking, fishing, paddling, camping, hunting, and more in the Southern Kettles every year. Thomas Ganfield was one of them.
Thomas lived on Whitewater Lake in the Southern Kettle Moraine for over 20 years. He was an environmental engineer and passionate conservationist who volunteered regularly with several local environmental nonprofits and the DNR.

Thomas was also a long-term NRF member who included NRF in his will. When he passed in 2024, the funding he designated to NRF was so significant that it allowed us to launch our landscape-scale work in the Southern Kettles landscape that he loved so well.
Our annual reports can be found online at WisConservation.org/annual-report

MEET OUR NEW LANDSCAPE INITIATIVES ADVISOR, MARCY WEST
Marcy West has been bringing people together to support critically important conservation work for over 35 years. Marcy is a published author and studied natural resource management and public relations at UW-Stevens Point. She has led both Wisconsin Land + Water Association and the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. From 2020 to 2025 she served on the Natural Resources Board for the Wisconsin DNR, appointed with unanimous consent of the Wisconsin State Senate. She will help guide NRF’s landscape-scale conservation efforts in the regions of the state with particularly unique biodiversity.

MEET OUR NEW ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, NATASHA NORMAN
Natasha grew up in St. Louis, spending much of her childhood outdoors with her brothers and neighborhood friends, which helped shape her love of community, service, and being outside. Natasha studied human development and social relations at Earlham College and brings over a decade of experience in education, operations, and quality improvement, including 10 years with Children’s Home Society of Florida. Natasha is excited to join NRF and is eager to learn more about conservation work across the state.

Linda has been a board member for the record books. A friend and colleague of NRF’s founders, she has been a supporter of NRF since its earliest days. She has led many of our board’s inclusion initiatives, and personally created many systems and policies that gave structure to our recruitment and Board governance overall. You will be missed, Linda!

Mark has been a truly dedicated board member during his ten years of service. He was a past Board Chair and active committee member, he helped with development of NRF’s new logo, and he spread the word about the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund. He is a passionate conservationist, steadfast supporter of NRF, and an avid outdoorsman. Thank you for all the ways you help NRF, Mark!
AUGUST 1, 2025 THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2026
The Foundation recognizes gifts made in honor of the following:
Sean Anderson
Sean Anderson
Jane Barnett
Dane Stimart
Jim Beam
Pamela Dollard
Steve Betchkal
Eau Claire Garden Club
Luke & Lori Bocher
Andrew Bocher
Bruce B. Braun
Glenn & Jane Watts
Andrew Drymalski
Geralyn Drymalski
Carl Batha
Association of Retired Conservationists
Daniel J. Blazewicz
Kaleb Johnson
Allan R. Bleser
American Family Insurance
Anonymous
Jim Bleser
Julie Bleser
Michael & Michelle Brantmeier
Sharon Bryfczynski
Kathleen Duffy & Frank Sullivan
Laura Gerarden
Steven & Barbara Kempen
David & Nancy Krunnfusz
Dan Krunnfusz & Cathy Bleser
James & Kathleen Marshall
Richard & Kathleen Miller
Charitable Fund
Roseann & Terry Raupp
Amy & Richard Staffen
David Turriff
Thomas Turriff
Jeannie Tuschl
Eleanor Vogl
Betsy Wilcox
Mildred & Warren Blomquist
Judith Brey
Paul Brandt
Merle & Nancy Biggin
Bruce B. Braun
Association of Retired Conservationists
Linda H. Bochert & David J. Hanson
Kristine A. Euclide & Douglas Steege
Dan Fields & Ileni Isenberg
Paulette Harder
James & Esther Huntoon
Alexandra & Brian Kaspar
Thomas & Margie Krauskopf
Charles Luthin & Nancy Piraino
Courtney Odorico
Tad & Hannah Pinkerton
William & Joan Richner
Rosemary Froemming Brazy
Nikki Brazy
Earth
Gwyn & Peter Goy
Kathy Eriksson
Judy Peot
Genevieve
Christine Dwyer
Grandpa K.
Peter Knudsen
Dan & Grace Hauck
Diane Miller
Mark & Paul Hauer
Carol Hauer
Shari Henning
Victoria & Steve Loudon
Brad Javenkoski
Nick Fleissner &
Kate Javenkoski
Dakota Kramer
Murphy Shimek
Thomas Meyer
Curtis Witynski
Jane Nicholson
Mary Linville & Ellen Verwiebe
Ryan O’Toole
Christine O’Toole
Chris Ott
Anonymous
Jack Peat
Bill Delehanty
Chuck Pils
Dr. Robert & Diane Dempsey
Claudia Place
Dana O’Leary
Terry Schasker
Janet Schasker
Wendy & Gerry Schneider
Judy & Don Batker
Beverly Schwabe
Thomas D Schwabe & Ann Jesse-Schwabe
Susan Schwabe
The Foundation recognizes gifts made in memory of the following:
David M. Bredael
Janet Anderson-Weimer
Ja net & Rich Bonkowski
Jenny Deetz
Martin & Mary Green
M. Keith & Donna Jones
David & Corinne Kolb
Jean & Dan Kolb
Jacey Lea
Jeffrey Machtig
Judith & Kenneth Mueller
Kenneth & Carol Olson
Jen & Nick Piper
Terri & Jeff Schilling
Susan Schuh
Mark Brickman
Cheryl A. Brickman
Beth & Cliff Brynildson
Inga & Woody Hagge
Charles G. Carpenter III
Anonymous
Lynn A. Blewett
Peter & Ellen Carpenter
Amanda Erspamer
Fabyanske, Westra, Hart & Thomson, P.A.
Paul Fuchs
Susanne Hoffman
William Hoopingarner
Susan Januschka
Shelley & Richard Jensen
Jeremiah Kearney
Sarah Kohout
Judith Krow
Patricia & Derek Lancashire
Kevin Marshall & Jane Elias
Mary O’Brien
Rosie O’Brien & Tommy Mischke
Sarah Wiskerchen
Diane Wood
Julie & Chris Zwettler
Chris A. Chomicki
Heidi Engel
Mary Jo & Dennis Herrmann
Ronald Curtis Association of Retired Conservationists
Joette Edgar
Barbara Aschenbrenner
Timothy Eisenhauer
Debra Markiewicz
Joseph “Joe” Frank, Jr.
James & Esther Huntoon
Duane Gebken
James & Esther Huntoon
Ron Giles
Rita Giles
Carol Glitz
Dr. Candye Andrus & Roxanne Soemaker
Mike Grabner
Tiki Kolosso
Robert Hamel
Mary E. Hamel &
Patrick Kirsop
Jeff Hansen
Karen Bertucci
UnitedHealth Group
Thomas Addison
Heberlein
Aimee Dechter &
Ross Matsueda
John Hembel
David & Lucille Degner
Sharon & Charles Klug
Jim Hirt
Anonymous
Norman Hodgson
Teresa Hendrickson
Jim Hoffman
Tina & Al Wagner
Gary Kaech
Michael & Kathy Allen
Brian & Jeri Boden
Jim & Kathy Burger
Earl & Barb Chandler
John & Jeri Davis
Linda Grace
Colleen Gugger
Richard Hansen
Cindy Johnson
Richard Knoche
Randy & Tina Krause
Lynn Niebuhr
Rick & Dana Parpart
Donna Peterson
Scott Poffinbarger
Rick & Cheryl Propp
Joe & Diane Ripp
Kurt & Deanna Smith
Scott & Debbie Smith
Deb Sweeney
Bob Wall
Steve Wall
Michael & Dianna
Wishowski
Merle E. Kimball
Cynthia Calhoun
Brady Steigauf
Brooke Steigauf
The Torhorst Family
Thomas Torhorst
Ted Waak
Joan Leuck
Mike Wanger
Anonymous
Dr. James Yahr
Steven Voss
Kathy Gessner
Gerald Kimball
Janice Leute
Eric Knapp
Lucy Conard
Brian & Lynn Tungate
Bruce Knutson
Lucinda Rapata
Harry “Jim” James Knutson
Berkley & Laura Guse
Michael Koebernik
Andrea Erin Koebernik
Hug
Peter Connell Koszyczarek
Jesse & Julie Kulp
Kenneth J. Lemke &
Doris A. Lemke
Daniel Merk
Shane Lettau
Annette Bichler
Richard “Dick” Luthin
Tom & Jane Treglowne
Robert & Nancy Rudd
Christopher Maechtle
Leah Meyer
Parker Matzinger
A lexandra & Brian Kaspar
Betsy & Jim Matzinger
John L. McKnight
Marsha Barnett
Gordie Mengelt
Paul Ring
George Meyer
Association of Retired
Conservationists
Art Montana
Jane H. Furchgott
Asenath LaRue
Margaret & James Neefe
David Olson
Jack L. Peat
Orville & Karen Ames
Randi & Steven Bersing
April & Christopher Eddy
Douglas Giese
Patricia Gower
Janet Boothryd Hedstrom & Alan Hedstrom
Jacob & Sarah Hodges
Elizabeth & George Hodges
Brad Jackson & Susan Schadewald
Amy Klein
Lisa Otis
Mary Peat
Christine Tupper
UW Health Medical Center-East Terrace
Ted Valenza
Donn (Dyke)
Piatt
Bruce & Carol Stoddard
Genevieve Pickens
Lorine Horvath
Mike & Linda Houy
Norm Rabl
James & Esther Huntoon
Dave Redell
Mary Ann & Jim Baggs
Cynthia & Thomas Eagon
James J. Schwabe
Dr. Michael & Edie Schwabe
Ronald L. Semmann
Michael & Jennifer Fluharty
Jim Severance
Anonymous
Lee Siudzinski
Jan Siudzinski
Missy Sparrow-Lien
3M
Anonymous Michael & Terri DeMaster
Joyce Ann Strom
Carol Leitinger
Allen Rosenthal
Dr. Chip Taylor
Jack Voight
Janie Mae Wilson
Tippins
Ellen Arndorfer
Luke Tonstad
Bob & Charlene Krembs
Peggy Traver
Jon Traver
Hugh Wallace
Robert Wallace & Sally Pittman
Tom Walz
Kimberly Walz
Walter Wasko Jr.
Josh Tharaldson
Joan Wiegand
Todd & Kris Wiegand
Ron Wozniak
Sarah Hickman














