Three 'citizen conservationists' to be inducted into the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame

THREE 'CITIZEN CONSERVATIONISTS' TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE WISCONSIN CONSERVATION HALL OF FAME

April 14, 2015

STEVENS POINT, Wis. -- The Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame will honor three individuals who have contributed to Wisconsin's conservation legacy by inducting them during a ceremony on Saturday, May 2.

The three of the inductees excelled as "citizen conservationists" by going beyond their professional work to advance the conservation ideal in their civic and community life, according to Joe Passineau, Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame president.

"The inductees this year clearly illustrate the importance of citizen action and the power of conservation organizations. Through their efforts they have advanced resource and public policy, and helped to protect and ecologically restore natural lands for the benefit of citizens statewide," Passineau, said.

This year's inductees include:

Eugene Roark, a life-long resident of Madison, who following graduation from University of Wisconsin-Madison in the new field of conservation journalism, worked for the Department of Natural Resources' Division of Information and Tourism and later served as director of tourism from 1970 to 1978. Roark has been a member of more than 50 conservation organizations, often serving as president, officer, board member or committee chair.

David Ladd, an avid outdoorsman, conservationist and lover of trees, who helped found the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association and championed Urban Forest and Tree City initiatives in Dodgeville and statewide. He was a founding member of the Southwest Chapter of Trout Unlimited, served on the Wisconsin Conservation Congress for over 40 years, chaired a Blue Ribbon Task Force of the Wisconsin Stewardship Program and taught hunter education classes for 20 years.

Ronald Koshoshek, a UW-Eau Claire emeritus professor of philosophy, ethics and jurisprudence, whose efforts reached beyond the classroom to advance major environmental laws affecting Wisconsin and the nation. He served as chair of the Citizen Advisory Committee for the Office of Public Intervenor and used his understanding of ethics and the legal system to advance Wisconsin's Public Trust Doctrine to better protect streams and fisheries.

The Induction Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the Sentry Theater in Stevens Point, located at the Sentry Insurance Headquarters, 1800 North Point Drive, with a coffee reception preceding the program at 9 a.m. A noon luncheon at the nearby Sentry World complex will conclude the day's activities. Luncheon reservations cost $25, and can be made by calling the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center at 715-346-4992.

The Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame and Visitor Center, located at UW-Stevens Point Schmeeckle Reserve (exit DNR), was established in 1985 to advance the conservation legacy of Wisconsin and now recognizes 86 leaders who have contributed significantly to it. The hall of fame is a cooperative venture of 20 state-wide conservation organizations. Individuals may be nominated for induction by member organizations or by the public.

"This year is unique," Passineau said. "For the first time in 30 years, we are looking forward to having all three of the inductees at the recognition ceremony."

More information about the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame is available at www.wchf.org (exit DNR).

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Passineau, WCHF president, 715-677-4047

Last Revised: Tuesday, April 14, 2015