Each year at our Annual Friends Gathering, we recognize individuals who have generously donated outstanding talent, experience, creativity, time, and energy in support of the Conservancy in achieving its strategic goals in the prior year. For their outstanding contributions in 2024 and beyond, we wish to recognize and thank the following individuals.
Stewardship Volunteers of the Year: Vanessa DaughterofLois and Randy Haug
Trying to find volunteers to help with projects can be an extremely challenging task. This year, we want to honor two volunteers who have made it their mission to show up, not just once or twice, but over and over because of their passion for finding ways to make a positive impact in the world. Over the past few years, these two volunteers have donated hundreds of hours of their time at 12 different nature preserves to help with important conservation projects... including removing invasive species, collecting native seeds, planting trees, and participating in prescribed burns. Every time Vanessa and Randy join us in the field, they give us hope for the future of conservation and remind us of the positive changes people can make when they choose to give back. Congratulations to our 2024 Stewardship Volunteer of the Year award recipients, Vanessa DaughterofLois and Randy Haug.
Conservation Excellence: Town of Liberty, Vernon County
The Town of Liberty Board of Directors were exceptional leaders 20 years ago in March of 2005 when they passed an ordinance regulating outdoor lighting to preserve dark skies and the rural character of the township. The current Board is showing tremendous thought leadership again for the rest of Vernon County by completely updating that outdoor lighting ordinance to capture all the intervening years’ technology changes and research into the impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN). The Mississippi Valley Conservancy congratulates and recognizes the Town of Liberty for taking this huge step to protect all living creatures from the negative impacts of ALAN and encourages other municipalities to follow Liberty’s lead! (Scott Lind, President of Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative, accepted the award on their behalf.)
Conservation Partner of the Year: Tracy Hames
Tracy Hames of Wisconsin Wetlands Association has been a passionate advocate for restoring bottomlands, bringing years of experience from his prior work out west to help restore the Driftless area in new ways. His involvement in the management planning at Plum Creek, La Crosse River Conservancy, and other properties gave invaluable perspective on improving wetland functions and building partnerships. This year, after years of advocacy spearheaded by the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, they celebrated the release of a new permit which will make restoration work easier for land managers and landowners across the state. So whether it’s walking through a wetland or into the capital, we appreciate all the work Wisconsin Wetlands Association has done for conservation! Congratulations to our Conservation Partner of the Year, Tracy Hames!
Conservation Educators of the Year: Scott Bagniefski and Tim Sprain
It has often been said that it takes a special kind of person to become a middle school teacher. It takes an exceptional kind of teacher to go far beyond the curriculum to make sure your students are exposed to outdoor and natural spaces on a regular basis, learning about math, history, science and reading while using the world outside as a classroom. Scott Bagniefski and Tim Sprain are two of those exceptional teachers. Rather than teaching each of the subjects in isolation, Scott and Tim use an interdisciplinary approach to expose their 7th graders to outdoor environments all around the area. In the hopes of nurturing the love of the land in these future conservationists, these teachers have made regular visits to the Conservancy’s nature preserves in order to instill an awareness and awe of these natural habitats.
They are committed to ensuring that students know about the natural resources in our area and how to care for them, which allows students to feel connected to the Earth and their community. Scott and Tim’s leadership in this area has influenced other curricular areas to partner with them so that students can experience the interconnectedness of all the topics they are learning in school. We are proud to present the 2024 Conservation Educators of the Year award to Tim Sprain and Scott Bagniefski of Logan Middle School. (Tim was unable to attend, but Scott accepted the award for both teachers.)
Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award: Gretchen Pfeiffer
It is an absolute honor recognize and celebrate an extraordinary individual whose lifelong dedication has profoundly shaped the conservation and restoration of one of our nation’s most iconic natural treasures — the Mississippi River. Gretchen Pfeiffer's journey in conservation began where many of the best stories do — out in the field. As a field biologist, she spent countless hours immersed in the waters and wetlands of the Mississippi, conducting research on water quality, fisheries, and aquatic plants. These early experiences laid the foundation for a deep understanding of the river's dynamic ecosystems. Gretchen's passion for conservation eventually led her to The Nature Conservancy, where her work spanned the entire length of the Mississippi River, from the Twin Cities to New Orleans.
As her career progressed, Gretchen moved beyond research to hands-on restoration projects. One of the defining moments of her career was the implementation of a pool scale drawdown to restore aquatic plant communities. This ambitious project was met with skepticism by many who believed it couldn’t be done. But with determination, collaboration, and an unwavering belief in the power of restoration, Gretchen and her team proved them wrong. The results were nothing short of remarkable — an entire aquatic plant community came alive once more, offering renewed hope for what is possible when we work in harmony with nature.
But Gretchen's impact reaches far beyond the river itself. Early in her career as the Mississippi River Planner, she witnessed the increasing development of the river bluffs — a trend that threatened some of the most sensitive and unique habitats in the region. Recognizing the urgent need for conservation, Gretchen played a pivotal role in the founding of Mississippi Valley Conservancy. Gretchen was among the early champions who, alongside passionate conservationists such as the Skolodas, Maureen Kinney, Barb Frank, and Craig Thompson, helped lay the foundation for this vital organization. Her commitment to the Conservancy extended over years of dedicated service on the board of directors, where her leadership helped shape the organization during its formative years and far beyond.
As we honor Gretchen, we celebrate a lifetime dedicated to conservation. Her work has left an indelible mark on the Mississippi River and the communities that surround it. We are grateful for her continued passion and look forward to seeing how she continues to inspire and lead in the years to come.
Gretchen, on behalf of all of us, thank you for your tireless efforts, your leadership, and your unwavering commitment to conservation.
Founding Members Gretchen and Dave Skoloda Honored with Emerita and Emeritus Status
Mississippi Valley Conservancy is proud to recognize Gretchen and Dave Skoloda with emerita and emeritus status for their extraordinary dedication, leadership, and lasting contributions to the organization and the Driftless Area. As founding members, Gretchen and Dave were the driving force behind the creation and early growth of the Conservancy—without their vision, commitment, and tireless work, Mississippi Valley Conservancy simply would not exist. Their decades of service have been instrumental in building the strong, respected land trust that exists today.
Dave Skoloda served on the board for 16 years, including two years as president, and stepped in twice as Interim Executive Director during critical transitions—guiding the Conservancy through challenging times with wisdom and clarity. For over 20 years, he contributed to the communications committee and spent time as the chair, using his talents in writing, photography, and public speaking to share the Conservancy’s mission and accomplishments with the community. A trusted and eloquent voice, Dave has long been a public ambassador for the Conservancy’s work in protecting the natural heritage of the Driftless region.
Equally influential, Gretchen Skoloda served 14 years on the board and was the organizational powerhouse behind many of the Conservancy's early meetings and communications. She founded and chaired the development committee for nearly two decades and played a key role in cultivating the Conservancy’s first major donors. Gretchen managed membership efforts, launched the now-annual Fall Fundraiser, and was the creative force behind early newsletters—all while generously sharing her time, energy, and even her home to support the Conservancy's mission.
Their deep community roots and reputation as respected journalists helped build the integrity and momentum needed to launch and grow this bold vision. We are honored to welcome Gretchen and Dave to the esteemed group of emeritus and emerita board members, with immense gratitude for their enduring legacy.