Dane County staff honored and recognized for Conservation efforts

August 29, 2005
Lesley Sillaman, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 669-5606
County Executive

Madison – This week, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk congratulated both volunteers and staff who have been serving as a part of the Adult Conservation Team, in conjunction with the Dane County Parks Department. The team, which first began in 1992, has grown from a few hundred volunteers and 6,000 volunteer hours to 3,313 volunteers and more than 26,010 volunteer hours last year. “My sincere thanks to these dedicated volunteers for their tireless work to keep Dane County one of the most beautiful places in the country to enjoy nature,” said Falk. “Volunteers have played a key role in restoring natural areas and developing many of the parks we have acquired since the team began.” An important component of the volunteer program is the partnership between the Parks Department and the community. The group has worked cooperatively with service clubs, recreational user groups, non-profits, youth groups, religious groups, schools and businesses. They participate in community-wide service projects, such as the United Way Day of Caring, Edgewood in the Community, Earth Day, Arbor Day, National Trails Day and Youth Service Day. Falk also congratulated Pete Jopke, in the Dane County Land Conservation Department on being awarded the 2005 Rock River Basin Protector Award in the Individual category. This is the first year for the Protector Awards, given for significant contributions to the mission of the Rock River Coalition; improve and protect the economic, environmental, cultural and recreational resources of the basin. “Congratulations to Pete for his outstanding work,” said Falk. “We are proud to have staff with dedication and creativity.” The awarding letter cites Jopke’s “commitment to citizen monitoring” and his “creative approaches to working with builders and developers to ensure environmental protection.” They also recognize the work Jopke has “done with youth in the community both in regards to water quality and providing hands-on experience with our water resources through angling.” # # #