2018 Water Heroes
Water Heroes 2018
River Alliance of Wisconsin is proud to recognize the following
Water Heroes for their work to protect and restore Wisconsin’s waters.
Water Heroes were nominated by their peers, colleagues or River Alliance staff and Board.
Baird Creek Preservation Foundation
“In 1997, our community rallied to save 40 acres of Baird Creek from being sold to developers…”
Baird Creek Watershed
Green Bay, WI
Read Baird Creek’s story
John Roberts
“I work to lift rivers out of obscurity, so people can look at their river and say, ‘WOW!!!'”
Pine and Popple Rivers
Aurora, WI
Read John’s story
Mark Cupp
“We must endeavor to persevere. Keep the dialogue going across the political aisles and work at the grassroots level…”
Lower Wisconsin Riverway
Muscoda, WI
Read Mark’s story
Jim Hlaban
“I started an endowment fund to help support nonprofit groups that protect Wisconsin’s waters.”
Little Wolf River
Ogdensburg, WI
Read Jim’s story
David Taylor
“I developed the Yahara Watershed Improvement Network (Yahara WINS), an urban-agricultural watershed initiative.”
Yahara Watershed
Verona, WI
Read David’s story
Gordon Stevenson
“I am a 26 year veteran of the Wisconsin DNR. I served as the Chief of Runoff Management until retiring in 2011.”
Waterways statewide
Black Earth, WI
Read Gordon’s story
Karen Fischer
“I’ve been a craft beer brewer. You can’t make good beer without good, clean water.”
Menominee River
Fond du Lac, WI
Read Karen’s story
Andrew Lamberson
“[I’ve] been very involved in authoring stormwater master plans to help municipalities minimize impacts.”
Western Wisconsin
Hudson, WI
Read Andrew’s story
Kesha Patel
“We are slowly degrading our precious water by putting it in the hands of corporations…”
Menominee River
Sturtevant, WI
Read Kesha’s story
Mary Dougherty
“Issues of water are not esoteric; they have real-life consequences for real people and their homes.”
Lake Superior
Bayfield, WI
Read Mary’s story
Criste Sullivan-Greening
“I am a grassroots leader protecting waterways from a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation.”
Central Sands
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Read Criste’s story
Kent Johnson
“Threats to WI trout streams include climate change, urban and agricultural runoff, and groundwater withdrawal.”
Kinnickinnic River
Hudson, WI
Read Kent’s story
Lee Stedman
“I was a Water Protector living at the Oceti Oyate Camp during the Standing Rock Protests…”
Menominee River, Lake Michigan
Waukesha, WI
Read Lee’s story
Craig & Matthew Oehmichen
“[We aim] to stop soil erosion while keeping farmers’ fields profitable and water clean.”
Big Eau Pleine Watershed
Colby, WI
Read Craig and Matthew’s story
Michana Buchman
“I retired and started doing stream monitoring. I take water samples to DNR to check phosphorus levels.”
Rock River Basin
Fitchburg, WI
Read Michana’s story
Kathleen Hanson
“As the Surface Water grant manager for the DNR I awarded grants to improve and protect Wisconsin lakes and rivers.”
Waterways statewide
Middleton, WI
Read Kathleen’s story
Dean Hoegger
“I am inspired by my children and grandchildren who enjoy recreating in the waters of Door County…”
Fox River Watershed, Lake Michigan
Sturgeon Bay, WI
Read Dean’s story
Michelle Nault
“It is important to keep a holistic approach in mind when actively managing aquatic invasive species.”
Lake Michigan and Lake Superior
Green Bay, WI
Read Michelle’s story
Sarah Grainger
“I am responsible for the City of Viroqua’s drinking water, wastewater treatment and storm water systems.”
Kickapoo River Watershed
Viroqua, WI
Read Sarah’s story
Cassandra (Oceana) Erickson
“Mermaids Without Borders hosts river and beach clean ups through all four seasons…”
Lake Michigan
De Pere, WI
Read Cassandra’s story
Francie Rowe
“My goals include educating those who are not familiar with court actions and lobbying legislators.”
Central Sands
Pleasant Lake, WI
Read Francie’s story
Gary Horvath
“I worked on the final agreement and resolution that will lead to a free flowing Kinnickinnic River.”
Kinnickinnic River
River Falls, WI
Read Gary’s story
The Wolf Run Association Inc.
“We’re focused on the improvement, maintenance and protection of the Black Earth Creek watershed.”
Black Earth Creek and the Wolf Run Trail
Mazomanie, WI
Read Wolf Run Association’s story
In addition to the Water Heroes above,
River Alliance of Wisconsin staff selected and recognized
the following Water Heroes in early 2018.
You can read more about many of these Water Heroes in our
Winter Newsletter.
Kristin Arakawa | Madison, WI
Jessica Becker | Madison
Fritz Funk | Brice Prairie, WI
Terry Daulton | Mercer
Ron Grasshoff | Prairie du Sac, WI
Paul Hayes | Westby
Justin Isherwood | Plover
Lisie Kitchel | Madison
Jen Kuhr | Monona
Charlie Piette | De Pere
Deb Ryun | St. Croix Falls
Tina Van Zile | Crandon
Rachel Westenberg | Green Bay
Mike Wiza | Stevens Point
Alliance for Water Stewardship | Milwaukee, WI
Friends of the Kinni | River Falls, WI
Tight Lines Fly Fishing Co. | De Pere, WI