School Forest Awards
| 2010 Awardees | 2008 Awardees | 2006 Awardees | 2004 Awardees |
| 2009 Awardees | 2007 Awardees | 2005 Awardees | Awards and Criteria |
Each year LEAF recognizes individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to school forest programs. Awardees are individuals and organizations who have provided leadership for local school forests and their programs.
2010
L
to R: Gretchen Marshall, LEAF Forestry and Outdoor
Education Specialist; Liana Oleson, Community Member awardee: Scott
Mueller, Resource Professional awardee; and, Scott Brown, School
Administrator awardee (not pictured: Joe Waters and Paul Hintze,
Teacher awardees)
On October 29th, at the 2010 Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education (WAEE) conference, the LEAF Program recognized the following individuals for their exceptional commitment to Wisconsin school forests:
Teachers: Joe Waters and Paul Hintze
Princeton School Forest, Princeton, WI
Nominator: Jeff McCartney
Joe and Paul have been the driving force and leaders in the planning
and development of the Princeton School Forest. They have developed
curriculum, designed activities, and created community events at the
school forest. Joe (a science teacher) and Paul (a special education
teacher) provide various service learning opportunities for t
heir
students. They developed and rehabilitated walking trails, restored
shoreline and restocked the pond with fish, and planted shrubs in
strategic places on the property to enhance public hunting
opportunities. The community also gets to benefit from their work
during a haunted walk throughout the forest, which is also a
fundraising event. Joe and Paul have also recently received grants
allowing them to focus on environmental monitoring in the school
forest. The Princeton school district is very proud and fortunate to
have Joe and Paul’s energy and hard work which provides the students
with many learning opportunities at the school forest.
L to R: Joe Waters, Gretchen
Marshall, Paul Hintze
School Administrator: Dr. Scott Brown
McFarland School Forest, McFarland, WI
Nominator: Janet Moore
Scott has been involved in the school forest program in McFarland
since its very beginning. He enthusiastically supported turning
district property into a school forest and has been overwhelmingly
supportive ever since by promoting the school forest program
publicly to staff and the community, creating a school forest
coordinator position, and serving on the school forest committee.
Now, students in all grade levels are able to learn at the forest,
community members recreate in the forest, and a core group of
volunteers comprised of parents and community members provide a firm
foundation for the program’s future. This year Scott promoted
outdoor education and the school forest through the school district
calendar, which was mailed to over 7000 district families at the
beginning of the school year. Scott has always met each challenge
the district has faced in building the school forest program with a
“can-do” attitude that has enabled their ideas to grow and bear
fruit, to the benefit of the students, staff, and McFarland
community. The school forest has become a source of pride for the
McFarland School District and the activities that take place there
have an impact that will benefit environmental understanding for
generations to come.
Community Member: Liana Oleson
Pittsville School Forest, Pittsville, WI
Nominator: Terry Reynolds
Liana has been a strong leader in all aspects of environmental
education for the Pittsville School District. The Pittsville School
Forest sat unused for many, many years...but Liana has been
instrumental in rejuvenating the School Forest Committee, writing
the Pittsville school forest education plan, obtaining grant
funding, and helping district educators achieve their school forest
goals. Liana’s positive attitude encouraged the school forest team’s
work to move forward even when road blocks presented themselves.
Without her dedication and commitment to the Pittsville School
District, the school forest would not be advancing environmental
programming for it students in such an efficient manner. District
educators refer to Liana’s stamina as enormous and contagious.
Students, teachers, and administrators recognize Liana as a
wonderful asset in building future learning opportunities for
students in the Pittsville School Forest.
Resource Professional: Scott Mueller
Wisconsin DNR Forester, Taylor County, WI
Nominator: Laura Lundy
Scott’s time and dedication as a DNR forester to Wisconsin’s natural
resources are evident in his commitment to the school forest
programs in Taylor County…specifically the Medford, Rib Lake, and
Gilman School Forest properties. Scott has contributed to these
school forests by being an invaluable resource, volunteering his
time, and advocating for outdoor education in the districts. He is a
member of the Medford School Forest Committee, helps write
curriculum, plans large forestry field days for the students,
updates management plans, marks and bids timber sales, connects
other resource organizations to the districts, and helps the
educators find grant funding for school forest opportunities. Scott
may think he is “just doing his job”, as he would humbly tell you.
The reality is these school districts will tell you he brings an
enthusiasm to his work that is contagious and encourages others to
share their knowledge. It is certain that Scott’s contributions have
made a difference in the lives of students who participate in school
forest opportunities throughout Taylor County.
2009
L to R: Ruth Bauer, Teacher awardee, Gretchen Marshall, LEAF, Steve Smith, District Administrater awardee, Georgia Gomez-Ibanez, Community Member awardee, and Kristi Hawk, Teacher Awardee (not pictured: Keith Lindner, Resource Professional awardee).
Teacher: Ruth Bauer
Paul Brandt School Forest
Nominators: Nancy Sanger, Penny Bohringer, and Dr. Steve Smith
Ruth is the diving force and leader in the planning and development
of the Paul Brandt School Forest north of Boscobel. Ruth has been a
champion for the environment long before the push to “be green”
became the mantra of today. She works with multiple committees
regarding the school forest, partners with outside agencies to bring
resources to the district, leads teachers into the woods for
enrichment exercises, and helps teachers develop curriculum and
activities for field trips to the forest. Her vision and love of the
land has made the Paul Brandt School Forest a truly remarkable place
that has enriched the staff, children, and community of the Boscobel
School District.
Teacher: Kristi Hawk
Port Edwards School Forest
Nominator: Steve Grant
Kristi is a dedicated teacher who has used her energy to make
positive changes for the Port Edwards School Forest. Kristi began
taking her students to the school forest in the late 1990’s to learn
about forest health issues. From there, she began developing the
forest into a working outdoor classroom for the entire district to
use. She utilized the skills of resources of professionals,
students, and community members to accomplish her tasks. When the
school forest land was sold, Kristi began looking for another parcel
of forest to call their own. To her credit, the district now has a
new forest parcel to explore. Kristi’s commitment and determination
is providing school forest learning opportunities for students and
staff in the Port Edwards School District.
School Administrator: Dr. Steve Smith
Paul Brandt School Forest
Nominators: Janet Mindham, Neal Brandt, and Ruth Bauer
Steve embraced the gift of 80 acres of land donated to the Boscobel
School district by the late Paul Brandt. He immediately asked the
school board to accept this gift to be used as a school forest.
Since then, Steve has arranged for professional development
opportunities for his staff, organized a planning committee, and
continually seeks out ways to fund learning opportunities at the
school forest. He is quoted as saying “Paul’s legacy (this gift of
land) is now in our hands. It is my hope that each of us will find a
way to enrich the lives of our children through this valuable
resource.” Administrative support is vital to the success of our
school forest programs. Dr. Smith’s passion for this gift opened new
doors in outdoor education opportunities for the students and staff
at the Paul Brandt School Forest.
Community Member: Georgia Gomez-Ibanez
Severson Learning Center School Forest
Nominators: Andrea Waski, Ron Dayton, Diana Freye
Georgia possesses an unwavering commitment to preserving the health
of the earth. She has led reforesting projects and an ecosystem
protection plan at the new Severson Learning Center School Forest.
As a retired educator, Georgia has dedicated her time to continued
environmental education with students by documenting phenological
observations, constructing trails, transplanting vegetation that was
cleared to create the new trails, building animal homes, and
cataloging tree growth data. She has inspired Cambridge’s students,
our future environmental stewards, to manage and respect nature.
Georgia is tireless in her personal efforts, advocacy and commitment
to facilitate new understanding amongst students, teachers, parents,
and community on the care and value of our forest land and natural
resources.
Resource
Professional: Keith Lindner
Wisconsin DNR Forester
Nominators: Kathy & Tim Guckenberg, Sarah Zelazoski, and Roxann
Bornemann
Keith’s time and dedication to the state’s natural resources is
evident in his commitment to the school forest programs in his
area…specifically the Elcho and Antigo School Forest properties.
Keith is a forester with the Department of Natural Resources and has
been instrumental in creating forest management plans, organizing
timber sales, participating on advisory committees, and teaching
students about the importance of sustainable forestry and
conservation management. He spends his own time maintaining and
improving the forest properties. Keith is ensuring future
generations will experience the beauty and wonders of nature at the
school forest for years to come.
2008
L to R: Gretchen Marshall, LEAF Forestry and
Outdoor Education Specialist (left) with Janet Moore, Community
Member awardee (second from left), and the Amery Outdoor Education
Committee, Teacher awardee.
Teacher: Amery Outdoor Education Committee
Nominator: Oralee Schock
“The Amery Outdoor Education Committee has been hard at work
establishing their school forest to enhance and expand environmental
education opportunities for their students. This committee has
organized weekend clean-up sessions, obtained funding through grants
and other various sources, and completed a school forest education
plan for the district. The completed education plan allowed for
district faculty to experience the school forest and the number of
school field trips doubled as a result. The Amery Outdoor Education
Committee has also gotten the students involved in the development
of the school forest by constructing a shelter, landscaping,
planting trees, raising funds, and creating a trail system.”
Community Member: Ms. Janet Moore
Nominator: Scott Brown
“Since 2006 Janet Moore has been a tireless leader and community and
parent volunteer in the McFarland School Forest. She has helped
develop a school forest management plan, completed a school forest
education plan, organized professional development opportunities for
teachers, worked to clear invasive species at the forest, supervised
community work days, repaired trails, and facilitated school and
community educational activities at the forest. Janet has mobilized
volunteers to restore the property for use as an educational
resource where students and community members could enjoy, serve,
and learn together about nature and where environmental education
could take place in a natural setting.”
School Administrator: Mr. Larry Mancl
Nominator: Anthony Marinack
“Mr.
Mancl developed the environmental education program for the
Tri-County Area School District. In 1992, Larry assumed the position
of Environmental Education Coordinator for the district. Throughout
his years there he trained high school students to be counselors or
teachers to other K-10th grade students while on their field trips
to the school forest, took his counselors to various conferences so
they could demonstrate the impact youth have in solving
environmental problems, and encouraged student research at the
school forest. Since the beginning of the program, over 100 students
have worked as environmental education counselors at the school
forest. Mr. Mancl also serves as a resource to help other school
districts establish innovative school forest programs. With any
school forest program, administrative support is vital to the
success of a program.
Resource Professional: Mr. Steve Grant
Nominator: Kristi Hawk
“As
the Wood County Forester, Steve has been a phenomenal resource
professional for the Port Edwards School District in their attempts
to build a school forest program. For over the past 10 years, Steve
has helped establish and administer their school forest management
plan. Steve has also been instrumental in helping the school
district of Nekoosa in managing their school forest. His knowledge
and expertise have been an invaluable resource to other personnel in
the district when it comes to their school forest. Steve has been
generous to volunteer in assisting student activities and is eager
to share his knowledge and connect with people in a way that many
professionals are unable to do.”
2007
From
l to r: Pat Hoffman, Karen Dostal, Liz Roy and Tom Quilty
with Jeremy Solin (center)
Teacher: Pat Hoffman
Nominator: Karen Dostal
"Pat Hoffman has worked as a naturalist at the Boston School Forest
for 16 years. During that time, she has been a dedicated teacher to
thousands of students each year. Pat continues to appreciate the
newness of each child's experience at the school forest. Teachers
and staff bringing students to the forest greatly appreciate her
excitement for teaching and dedication to the school forest program.
She has also contributed much of her individual time and skills to
the development of the Boston School Forest program and facilities."
School Administrator: Karen Dostal
Nominator: Sue Anderson
"As the director of the Boston School Forest for the past five
years, Karen Dostal has brought a strong commitment to expanding and
improving the program. She has revised the K-6 environmental
education curricula to meet state standards. She has also worked to
develop a comprehensive forest management plan that will guide
stewardship of the land into the future. In addition, Karen has led
major efforts to include the local community in school forest
activities including hosting a new series of "Leave No Family
Inside" events."
Resource Professional: Tom Quilty
Nominator: Darrell Hines
"Tom Quilty is a retired Department of Natural Resources forester
who spent over 24 years in Juneau County. During this time he has
taught countless students about forestry at the school forest and in
the classroom. Tom helped prepare high school students for the state
FFA forestry contest, presented tree planting and fire prevention
programs to fifth-graders, and worked with individual students to
acquire trees for planting on private lands. He has worked with the
school board to ensure that income from the school forest be
dedicated to the agriculture education program."
Community Member: Liz Roy
Nominator: Dr. Bruce McMuray
"Liz Roy is a retired teacher from the Oakfield School District. She
has been a tireless supporter of the school forest program for over
20 years. She continues to be very involved with efforts to develop
the school forest as a an education resource. She has received
several grants, worked with numerous community groups, and trained
teachers to enhance utilization of the school forest. Liz was also a
catalyst in efforts to address the enrollment criteria for school
forests. Changes to the program have allowed smaller parcels of land
(often adjacent to schools) to be enrolled in the program."
2006
Teacher: Cindy Edlund
Nominator: Dr. Richard Peterson
"Cindy
Edlund is a high school teacher in the Crandon School District. She
has worked tirelessly in the acquisition and development of the
district's new school forest. Since the donation of the Hovind
Family School Forest, she has facilitated the school forest
committee and coordinated a dedication event in which community
members, high school students, and all K-8 students participated.
Cindy also provided a district-wide in-service about the curricular
opportunities provided by the school forest. She is currently
designing and implementing a challenge and orienteering course at
the school forest. Additionally, she earned a master's degree in
environmental education, serves as an adjunct faculty for the KEEP
program, and facilitates WET, WILD, PLT, and Aquatic WILD
workshops. Her leadership has provided for the continued, effective
utilization of the school forest."
School Administrator: Don Aanonsen
Nominator: Deb Gerard
"Don
Aanonsen is the principal of the Tigerton Elementary, Middle, and
High Schools. He has been the "visionary, project manager, and
cheerleader for development of the Tigerton School Forest. He
encourages teachers to provide full-day experiences for students at
the school forest and often participates in their activities.
During the past year, he has orchestrated the development of a new
school forest including constructing an outdoor classroom. Don has
facilitated in-service programs for district staff focusing on
forestry and outdoor education opportunities. His involvement and
encouragement have been instrumental in teacher interest and
utilization of the school forest. For Don, the school forest is
about "creating a sense of place in the hearts of the community for
years to come."
Resource Professional: Upper Chippewa Area, WDNR-Division of
Forestry
Nominator: Gary Vander Wyst
"The
Upper Chippewa Area DNR-Division of Forestry includes foresters and
forestry technicians in Taylor, Price, Rusk, and Sawyer Counties.
These foresters and technicians have been instrumental in efforts to
kindle a renewed and continuous interest in school forests in their
counties. Collectively, they have been involved in developing and
implementing forest management plans within 14 school districts. In
addition, they have provided professional development and
educational events for teachers, students, school administrators,
and the public. Their exceptional efforts reflect the role that
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Division of Forestry
(and its predecessor the Wisconsin Conservation Department) has
played in the school forest program since its inception in 1927."
Community Member: Wayne Jenson
Nominators: Linda Luger, Suzanne Deans, and Pamela Rossmiller-Peters
"Wayne
Jenson has been involved with the Burlington School Forest for 46
years as a teacher and now as a community member. As a teacher, he
integrated school forest experiences into the biology curriculum and
initiated a forestry class. Since retiring 8 years ago, he has
continued his advocacy for utilizing the school forest. He assisted
with professional development for 125 K-8 teachers at the school
forest, served as project manager for the construction of a restroom
and field station, and mentored elementary teachers in their use of
the forest. In addition, he has overseen the planting of over
20,000 trees by Burlington area youth. His thousands of hours of
volunteer time have helped transform the school forest into an
effective environmental education center."
2005
Back row: Mark Stephens
(accepting the award for Rollie Alger), Chris Langenfeld,
Dr. Dennis Yockers, Manny Oradei, Tracy Swedlund, David Scholz,
Darrell Hines, Jeremy Solin, Gary Vander Wyst
Front row: Members of the Montello FFA:
Brendan Wegner, Jessica Smith, Sarah Mateske, Liz Dahlke
Rollie Alger recently retired from the Rhinelander School District where he worked for seven years as the assistant superintendent of curriculum & instruction. Upon arriving in Rhinelander, he recognized the potential of the Cedric A Vig Outdoor Classroom (known as CAVOC) and set about to improve and expand it by forming a school forest committee with diverse representation to oversee its development. Rollie initiated many efforts that greatly enhanced CAVOC including curriculum development, professional development, and designation of income into a school forest account. He was tirelessly involved in all aspects of CAVOC operations.
Darrell Hines is the agriculture education instructor with the Mauston School District, where he has taught for over 20 years. The students in his forestry classes have worked extensively at the school forest. During this time, he has initiated five major silviculture projects at the school forest including planting more than 14,000 trees. He has also worked with closely with resource professionals to provide chainsaw training, career information, and forest management methods to over 800 students.
Chris Langenfeld is the coordinator of the Coloma School Forest. He has implemented a number of activities that have served to rejuvenate the Coloma School Forest and to connect it to the other school forests in the Westfield School District. He has delivered programs for all K-6 students and has established a school forest club in which 40 students and their parents participate. Chris also coordinates the annual community school forest picnic. His work has greatly enhanced the educational opportunities provided by the school forest. It has also helped to make stronger connections between the community and the district.
The Montello FFA has been involved with the management and maintenance of the district's school forests since 1952. Students have been involved in all facets of the school forest program from forest management to education. The FFA has planted and pruned thousands of pine trees through the years. They have established and maintained a 36-station interpretive nature trail on one of the school forests. The students also have worked closely with foresters to develop long-term management plans and timber sale contracts.
Many Oradei is a DNR forester in Oneida County. He has been instrumental in the development of the Cedric A Vig Outdoor Classroom as well as forest management for all of the Rhinelander School Forests. He has recently been involved in ensuring the district recognizes the long-term value of their school forests and doesn't over-emphasize the potential for short-term economic gain. Manny is a member of the district's school forest committee and works closely with teachers, administrators, and community members to ensure that the forests are appropriately managed and that students have opportunities to learn about sustainable natural resource management.
David Scholz is a kindergarten teacher with the Phillips School District, where he has taught for nine years. In addition to the outdoor teaching he has done with his own class, Dave is leading the efforts to increase utilizations of the Phillips School Forests. As chair of the school forest committee, he has helped to organize professional development and curriculum planning opportunities for all the teachers in the district. He has also been instrumental in gaining support of and involving resource people from the community, the DNR, and UW-Extension.
Tracy Swedlund is a science teacher in the Medford School District where he has taught for eight years. He is an activist for the district's school forest, which was in danger of being sold in 2001. Since then, Tracy has worked to revitalize the school forest through strategic planning, curriculum development, and professional development for teachers. He has initiated and been involved with several efforts that have led to the school forest now being used by multiple grade levels throughout the year.
Gary Vander Wyst is the DNR assistant area forester for the northern region. Hes based out of the Park Falls service center. He has worked extensively with the Butternut School District to revitalize their school forest program. Gary is a strong advocate for forestry education and has talked with the school board, administrators, and teachers in the district about opportunities that the school forest provides. He has developed lesson plans and created events for students to learn about forest management, timber sales, forest products, and forestry careers. His efforts have inspired the Butternut School District to embrace their school forest as an important educational opportunity.
Dr. Dennis Yockers is an environmental education specialist with the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education at UW-Stevens Point. In this and his previous positions with the DNR and DPI, he has worked directly and indirectly with school forests for over 20 years. He has been involved with numerous workshops, meetings, and resource development projects to facilitate the development of EE curriculum for use at school forests. He continues to play an active role in assisting school forests through presentations, consulting, and serving on the statewide school forest advisory committee.
2004
Pictured L to R:
Bill Sylvester, Jeremy Solin (SF Program Coordinator), Ted Peterson,
Eden Koljord (WFREA), Genny Fannucchi, Al Curtis, Gail Gilson-Pierce
(Trees For Tomorrow), Hugh Curtis
Elbridge (Al) Curtis
Al Curtis directed the Merrill School Forest for 33 years.
Hugh Curtis
Hugh Curtis directed the Wausau School Forest for nearly 35 years.
The Merrill and Wausau School Forests were among the first school forests in the state to have highly developed education programs and facilities. The programs and facilities the Curtis' developed have been looked at as models, not only in Wisconsin, but nationally. Hugh and Al are held in high regard for their pioneering efforts in establishing outdoor environmental education. In addition to their school forest efforts, they served on many statewide, regional, and local committees to advance conservation and environmental education. Their efforts have touched the lives of tens of thousands, and continue to produce benefits for the environment today.
Genevieve (Genny) Fannucchi
Genny Fannucchi is the Forest Resource Education and Awareness Specialist
for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. During the last ten
years she has coordinated the development of a forestry education program
for Wisconsin. Mrs. Fannucchi has directed and tirelessly advocated for
various educational initiatives such as: funding for the LEAF Program;
release of forestry account dollars to support forestry education and the
school forest grant programs; and funding to support a statewide school
forest education specialist. She also coordinated a survey of school
forest coordinators that has provided important information about the
status of the state's school forests. Her efforts will have a long lasting
impact on forestry education and the statewide school forest program.
Dr. Ted Peterson
Ted Peterson was an UW-Extension forester for more 37 years and worked
for the Wisconsin Conservation Department prior to joining
Extension. Youth development was an important part of his Extension
responsibilities during the 1950s through 1970s. Dr. Peterson provided
educational programming leadership in forestry and conservation projects
for 4-H, VoAg, and school forests. During that time, he provided numerous
workshops across the state for teachers and resource professionals on
school forest education and management. He also published several articles
for statewide distribution on the opportunities provided by school
forests. In addition to school forests and youth education, much of Dr.
Petersons career focused on forest products marketing and
utilization. Youth development through natural resource education
continues to be of primary importance to Ted.
William (Bill) Sylvester
Mr. Sylvesters early forestry education efforts included showing
16-millimeter movies on a battery-operated projector. As chief forester
for Trees For Tomorrow, he developed some of the first forest management
plans for school forests. While an associate professor at UW-Stevens Point
he dedicated time to coordinating the statewide school forest program
during which he conducted surveys to determine the management and
education efforts on school forests. His 70-year career also included
forest fire protection and prevention, pioneering forest management
practices on private and publicly owned forest land, providing forestry
workshops for teachers of agriculture, loggers, and 12 years of teaching
forestry in the College of Natural Resources at UW- Stevens Point.
Trees For Tomorrow
Trees For Tomorrow is a non-profit natural resource specialty school
that was founded in 1944 to reforest northern Wisconsin and educate
landowners and citizens about the need for proper forest management. Since
that time, Trees has worked with schools to help them effectively utilize
their school forests. They played an important role in reforesting many
school forests and were involved with developing the first forest
management plans for several school forests. Trees has held numerous
professional development workshops for teachers and administrators on
school forest education and funding opportunities. Trees for Tomorrow's
education programs have impacted thousands of teachers and students and
continue to inspire school forest educators across the state.
Wisconsin Forest Resources Education Alliance (WFREA)
WFREA is a private, non-profit statewide forestry education program. They
have taken a leadership role on many projects to assist the school forest
program. They worked with several partners to develop the "How to Grow a
School Forest" handbook to aid Wisconsin teachers in adapting their school
forests into working outdoor classrooms. WFREA completed the production of
a five-minute Wisconsin's school forest vignette, which was broadcast to
18 million viewers on Wisconsin Public Television and Milwaukee Public
Television. WFREA continues to be an important partner in the statewide
school forest program by providing professional development workshops,
presentations, and materials for educators and resource professionals.
Award Categories
There are 5 categories in which
awards are presented. Nominees in any category can be individuals or
organizations.
- Teachers (K-12 public or private school teachers, teacher organizations, etc.)
- Students (K-12 public or private school students, student organizations)
- School administrators (district administrators, principals, curriculum directors, etc.)
- Resource professionals (extension agents, educational or environmental organizations, college faculty, state agency staff, natural resource managers, etc.)
- Community members(citizens, community organizations, etc.)
Criteria
Awardees are selected based on the following criteria:
- Involvement in the advancement and improvement of education programs at local school forests through leadership or development of programs, projects, and/or initiatives
- Sustained commitment to the school forest program