The Wisconsin Stream Monitoring Awards recognize individuals and groups for their exemplary efforts in volunteer stream monitoring and related activities, such as their support of stream stewardship, commitment to developing partnerships, and/or sharing their skills and water quality data to benefit Wisconsin streams and rivers.
Nominations for 2024 Awards are open!
Do you know of a stream volunteer, volunteer coordinator, or stream volunteer group who has given substantial time and energy this year to monitor and protect Wisconsin’s streams and rivers? We encourage you to submit a nomination to celebrate their work! Award recipients are nominated by their peers.
We want to celebrate the wide variety of people and groups across Wisconsin who help to promote water quality in our streams and rivers by participating in volunteer monitoring and stewardship in the state. They may be an adult or youth, an individual or a group of people, an educator, a volunteer or a staff member of an organization or business. Join us to celebrate the network of people who help monitor and protect our flowing waters!
Award criteria
Nominations should address the following criteria:
- A commitment and investment of substantial time to volunteer stream and river monitoring
- A record of stream stewardship, outreach or education in their local community
- A commitment to developing relationships and partnerships in stream monitoring efforts
- A record of how the nominee’s work has benefited Wisconsin streams or rivers
Previous award recipients may be nominated again, however, include only work done since last winning the award.
Award categories
Outstanding Stream Volunteer
This award recognizes a volunteer stream monitor (individual or 2 person team) who has gone above and beyond to contribute valuable water quality data while supporting stream health, stewardship and/or education in their community.
Outstanding Volunteer Coordinator
This award recognizes a volunteer stream monitoring coordinator who has made an impact in their professional or volunteer role to support participatory science and volunteer stream stewardship and education in Wisconsin.
Outstanding Stream Volunteer Group
This award recognizes a group of volunteer stream monitors who have gone above and beyond to contribute valuable water quality data while supporting stream health, stewardship and/or education in their community.
Award timeline
Nominations will be reviewed in December by a committee of UW-Madison Extension and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff. Awardees and their nominators will be notified by early January. Awardees will be recognized at the 2025 Wisconsin Lakes and River Convention in Stevens Point, WI, March 26-28, 2025. Awardees will receive:
- A personalized award designed by artist and WAV volunteer Heidi Hankley, Crimson Artist Collaborative, Verona, WI
- Two free tickets to attend the Awards Banquet at the Lakes and Rivers Convention on Thursday, March 27, 2025
The Awards Banquet is open to anyone to attend to celebrate lake and river stewards and volunteers – registration will open in January.
How to submit a nomination
*NEW: Please follow the steps below – the nomination process has changed this year to standardize the nomination application we receive for each nominee.
Step 1: Download and complete the nomination application (Word document).
Download the Nomination Application
Step 2: Email the nomination application, letter of support, and supporting documents to wav@extension.wisc.edu:
- One letter of support from someone other than the nominator or the nominee.
- (Optional) Up to 3 additional supporting pieces of information, such as news articles, publications, or photos.
Email Nomination Application, Letter of Support, and supporting documents
Nomination deadline is December 1, 2024
Questions? Email the Water Action Volunteers Program Manager at wav@extension.wisc.edu.
Previous award recipients
2023
Outstanding Volunteer: Karen Doyle, Waukesha County
Outstanding Volunteer Group: Rush River Macroinvertebrate Team, Pierce County
Outstanding Coordinator: Bob Jozwowski, Central Wisconsin Trout Unlimited
Outstanding Coordinator: Jessica Orlofske, University of Wisconsin-Parkside
2022
Adult: Barb Bauer and Paula Brandmeier, Token Creek Conservancy
2021
Adult: Connie Hagen, Rock River Coalition and Friends of Lake Kegonsa
Adult: Paul and Kathy Byrne, Crawford Stewardship Project
2020
Educator: Wendy Lutzke
Group: Pecatonica Pride Watershed Association
Adult: Bruce and Sue Ristow
Business: GEI Consultants
2019
Pioneer: In Memory of Ron Martin, Lodi
Group: UW-Whitewater Sustainability Office Student Volunteers, Whitewater
Adult: Bob and Linda Merline, Fish Creek
Employee: Bob Sampson, Grande Cheese, Juda
Rookie: Green Lake Watershed WAV (Water Action Volunteers)
2018
Group: Central Wisconsin Trout Unlimited River Keepers
Adult: Bill and Debbi Hiller, Desoto
Employee: John Delaney, Valley Stewardship Network
Teacher: Jaime Weigel, Whitewater
Rookie: Southern Brown Conservation Club, Brown County
2017
Group: Milwaukee Riverkeeper
Adult: Dick Tripp, Green County
Adult: Dick & Judi Oehler, Vilas County
Teacher: Jean Abreu, Marathon County
2016
Group: Valley Stewardship Network, Viroqua
Adult: Dave Hackett and Ellen Brooks, Gays Mills
Adult: Bill and Lisa Keen, Verona
Adult: Laura DeGolier, Fond du Lac
Employee: Patricia Cicero, Jefferson County
Teacher: Charlie Frisk, Green Bay
Student: Camryn Kluetmeier, Madison
2015
Group: Upper Sugar River Watershed Association
Adult: Rollie Alger, Phelps
Employee: Pat Cardiff, Grande Cheese
Student: Will Sherwin, Valley Stewardship Network
2014
Group: Friends of the Yahara River Headwaters
Adult: Rick Fahrenkrug, Central Wisconsin Trout Unlimited River Keepers
Employee: Nancy Sheehan, Rock River Coalition
Teacher/Students: The Lower Fox River Watershed Monitoring Program
2013
Group: Crawford Stewardship Project
Adult: John Gremmer, Central Wisconsin Trout Unlimited Riverkeepers
Employee: Joe Rath, Milwaukee Riverkeeper
Teacher/Classroom: Dan Hannen-Starr and the Menominee Indian High School
Student: Maya Dizack, Racine
2012
Adult: Jim Engstrom and Jim Gennrich, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Grafton and Milwaukee
Adult: Paul Hayes, Valley Stewardship Network, Viroqua
Employee: Jayne Henderson, Riveredge Nature Center, Newburg
Employee: Anne MIller, Rock County Land Conservation Department, Janesville
Teacher/Classroom: Mari Grobschmidt and Kim Leinweber of The Prairie School, Racine
2011
Group: Central Wisconsin Trout Unlimited Riverkeepers
Adult: Ted Ludwig, Colfax
Employee: Anna Mares, Beaver Creek Citizen Science Center, Fall Creek
Teacher/Classroom: Tracy Swedlund, Kristine Gingras, and Tran Brooks of Medford Area Senior High
2009
Group: The South Fork Flambeau River Watershed Association
Adult: Dick Pollock, Oshkosh
Employee: Mary Holleback, Riveredge Nature Center, Newburg
Teacher/Classroom: Jon Johnson and his Environmental Science Classes at Galesville-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School
2008
Group: Bad River Watershed Association
Adult: Gary Thompson, Valley Stewardship Network, Viroqua
Employee: Cheryl Nenn, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Milwaukee
Teacher/Classroom: Jill Graf, Robert Eady and the Environmental Monitoring Class at the Conserve School, Land O’ Lakes
Student: Juli Bridge, Waukesha
Student: Amber Johnson, Solon Springs
2007
Group: Central Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Group: Pewaukee River Partnership
Adult: Janice Redford, Rockdale
Employee: Jayne Jenks, Waukesha County Department of Parks and Land Use, Waukesha
Teacher: Jim Korb and Jefferson Elementary School teachers and students, Richland Center
Student: Patrick Cassidy, Sheboygan
2006
Pioneer: Pete Jopke, Madison
Group: Beaver Creek Citizen Science Center, Fall Creek
Adult: Don Campbell, Eau Claire
Employee: Nancy Turyk, UWSP Center for Watershed Education, Stevens Point
Teacher: Charles Bomar, UW-Stout, Menomonie
2005
Pioneer: Jim Hlaban, Odgensburg
Group: Rock River Coalition, Inc., Water Quality Issue Team, Jefferson
Adult: Allen Bauman, Mineral Point
Teacher: Tim Sprain, Longfellow School, LaCrosse
Honorable Mention: Girl Scout Troop 508, Black River Falls
2003
Pioneer: Suzanne Wade, Jefferson
Group: Fish Creek Watershed Study Group, Gibraltar
Adult: Chuck Hatfield, Viroqua
Employee: Jeremy Williamson, Polk County Land and Water Resources Conservation Department, Balsam Lake
Teacher: Eric Johannesen, Iowa-Grant HS, Livingston
2002
Group: Duncan Creek Stream Monitoring Project, Chippewa Falls
Adult: Phil Emmling, Madison
Teacher: Gerald Friday, Milwaukee
Teacher: Debra Weitzel, Middleton