Wisconsin Named 2026 Volunteers of the Year
The state recognized two volunteers for contributing nearly 1,500 hours toward the preservation of native prairie species.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Environmental
Live Poll
Would you consider volunteering your time to help local conservation or state natural areas?
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has named Diane Perschbacher and Rory Williams its 2026 State Natural Areas Volunteers of the Year. The pair contributed nearly 1,500 hours of labor to the Oshkosh-Larsen Trail Prairies State Natural Area.
Why it matters
Volunteers provide essential support for state land management efforts, which is critical given that Wisconsin's State Natural Areas protect 90 percent of the state's rare plant species and 75 percent of its rare wildlife species.
The volunteers contributed nearly 1,500 hours of service since 2018. The state natural areas they support are designated to protect 90 percent of Wisconsin's rare plant species and 75 percent of its rare wildlife species.
The players
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The state agency responsible for managing natural resources, including state parks and natural areas.
Diane Perschbacher
A volunteer recognized for extensive service to Wisconsin prairie land conservation.
Rory Williams
A volunteer recognized for extensive service to Wisconsin prairie land conservation.
The details
Perschbacher and Williams performed ecological restoration at the Oshkosh-Larsen Trail Prairies State Natural Area. This work involves the removal of invasive plants—non-native species that outcompete indigenous flora—and the collection of native seeds to maintain site biodiversity. The volunteers also conducted biological surveys to monitor the populations of rare plant species, bumblebees, and butterflies.
Timeline
2018: The pair began volunteering at the Oshkosh-Larsen Trail Prairies State Natural Area.
2026: The volunteers received the State Natural Areas Volunteer of the Year award.
The Tech Race
This award underscores the reliance of the Wisconsin State Natural Areas program on community labor to maintain ecological integrity. Such initiatives follow the broader trend of utilizing decentralized volunteer networks to support state-led conservation research programs.
Residents interested in participating in similar conservation efforts can access public land stewardship portals. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides ongoing opportunities for community members to contribute to land management and ecological monitoring.
The takeaway
Volunteers serve as a primary workforce for maintaining high-biodiversity ecosystems across the state. Interested individuals should monitor the state's recurring volunteer recruitment cycles for opportunities to assist with species survey and restoration projects.
Further reading
Learn more about conservation efforts in Wisconsin Environmental.
More information
To review available field work opportunities, visit the Wisconsin DNR volunteer opportunities portal.
Live Poll
Would you consider volunteering your time to help local conservation or state natural areas?
