WETLANDS AWARDS PROGRAM
Wisconsin Wetlands Association's Wetlands Awards recognize individuals and groups whose work advances our tri-fold mission - the protection, restoration and enjoyment of Wisconsin’s wetlands and related ecosystems.

AWARD CATEGORIES
Protection - Work that ensures the protection of specific wetland sites or wetlands statewide including: strengthening wetland policies and regulations; grassroots advocacy; land acquisition.

Restoration - On-the-ground wetland restoration work and efforts that promote wetland restoration including: private and public restoration projects; invasive species control projects; general wetland stewardship; research, programs or materials that encourage wetland restoration.

Enjoyment - Anything that improves public understanding and appreciation of wetlands including: outreach programs; curriculum development; field trip programming, representation of wetlands in the arts; programs that promote recreational, hunting and bird watching opportunities associated with wetlands.

Past Wetlands Awards recipients:

2010 recipients:

	Wetland Protection Award: Alice Thompson Alice Thompson has played a tremendous role in protecting Wisconsin’s wetland heritage. She has shaped two decades of wetland policy, helping to establish Wisconsin as a national leader in wetlands protection. From her leadership to establish protection for isolated wetlands to her oversight of pipeline and transmission line construction practices, Alice’s accomplishments are too numerous to list. Alice served on Wisconsin Wetlands Association’s Board of Directors for 15 years (including 12 years as Chair), has led numerous wetland restoration workshops in Wisconsin, and is co-author of the award-winning Wetland Restoration Handbook for Wisconsin Landowners.
	Wetland Restoration Award: Swamplovers, Inc. For 24 years, Swamplovers, Inc. has been actively involved in large-scale wetland conservation and restoration efforts. They manage a 460 acre nature preserve located in southwestern Wisconsin’s driftless area that contains 14 acres of ponds bordered by diverse emergent aquatic vegetation, 26 acres of high-quality remnant sedge meadow, a tributary stream of Black Earth Creek, and more than 85 acres of species-rich restored wet and wet-mesic prairie. Collectively, these habitats support more than 950 native species, 67 of which are of conservation concern. Swamplovers recently deeded this preserve to the Ice Age Trail Alliance so that their conservation efforts can be appreciated by the public in perpetuity.
	Wetland Enjoyment Award: Kate Redmond For over 30 years, Kate Redmond has brought enjoyment to the general public as a passionate photographer, writer, editor, educator, field trip leader, and wetlands advocate. Each aspect of her work has focused on sharing her wide knowledge and appreciation of the natural world, as well as her eye for both its singular and collective beauty. Kate has freely donated her professional-quality photography, writing ability, and other talents to a variety of nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin.

2009 recipients:

	Wetland Protection Award: Michael Cain Michael Cain recently retired from his position as an attorney for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. During the course of his 33 year career, Michael authored or coauthored all of Wisconsin’s wetland protection laws. As a result of his foresight and determination, Wisconsin became a pioneer in the creation of strong, effective state wetland protection laws and continues to serve as a model that inspires other states to further develop their wetland protection programs.
	Wetland Restoration Award: Ho-Chunk Nation As stewards of approximately 1000 acres of wetlands, the Ho-Chunk Nation has demonstrated great commitment to protecting and restoring wetlands. The Nation has sought out partners such as the BIA, USFSWS, EPA, and NRCS to help them realize their commitment to wetlands and contributed substantial tribal funds towards wetland projects. The Nation’s role in mitigating wetland sites is an ongoing model for other projects.
	Wetland Enjoyment Award: Jeff Nania Since Jeff Nania helped found the River Crossing Environmental Charter School in 2001, he has spent 20 hours a week with the students who attend, hoping to get them out into nature and encouraging them to get their hands dirty. Using the environment as a context for learning, Jeff helps give these students a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Jeff is currently working with the Portage School District to expand the size of the school to 80 students.

2008 recipients:

	Wetland Restoration Award: Art Kitchen, USFWS Art Kitchen has worked for the USFWS Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program in Wisconsin for more than 15 years. During that time, he has helped many private landowners to restore more than 125 wetlands encompassing more than 900 acres. Art has also advanced the science of wetland restoration, served as a mentor for new restoration professionals, and helped to educate the public about the importance of wetlands. He is known for his ability to inspire a "conservation spark" in landowners as he works with them to restore wetlands on their own properties.
	Wetland Protection Award: Leland Christenson, Landowner Leland (Lee) Christenson of Eleva, WI is a private landowner who is strongly committed to restoring and protecting wetlands. Lee has dedicated significant personal sums toward the purchase and restoration of wetlands on his own property. A biologist and lover of wildlife, Lee has created many acres of wetlands and he has also worked hard to ensure that these are high quality wetland habitats for wildlife like turtles and waterfowl. Lee worked for years to transform eroding farmland into an oasis of wetlands and other wildlife habitats that support native birds, frogs, fish and mammals.
	Wetland Enjoyment Award: City of Madison Parks Division The City of Madison Parks Division received this award for their efforts to preserve and restore wetlands in the upper Yahara River at Cherokee Marsh. Under the leadership of Russ Hefty, Conservation Resources Supervisor, the Parks Division is working to restore 80 acres of wetlands along the shoreline of the upper Yahara by establishing native wetland plants that serve as a breakwater and prevent erosion as well as provide habitat along the shoreline. The Park Division’s work is exceptional because they have done a tremendous amount of work to involve the public. Russ has led tens of tours of the site over the years for public groups and he has recruited scores of volunteers to help install wetland plantings. Russ and his colleagues have used this project as a vehicle to get people out to enjoy wetlands up close as well as to educate the public about wetlands and why they matter.