Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance has announced the 2024 Impact Awards. These awards celebrate individuals and organizations that have made significant strides in environmental conservation and sustainability in the watershed.
Hallet “Bud” Harris earned the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong dedication to water conservation. Additionally, Seven Oaks Dairy; Community First Credit Union; Jeff Mazanec, senior consultant at raSmith; and Ryan Kudish, meteorologist at WFRV-TV Local 5, earned honors.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Hallet “Bud” Harris
Hallet “Bud” Harris will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. This is in recognition of over 50 years of groundbreaking work in water conservation. Bud joined the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 1969 as an Ecology professor. And when he started this job, he also started to be a driving force behind numerous initiatives. These were to improve the ecological health of the bay of Green Bay. His efforts have been critical in projects like the Fox River PCB cleanup and the Lower Fox River TMDL study.
Bud retired in 1999 and has continued to champion environmental causes. He has raised over $1 million for water monitoring programs. Harris has served on the Wisconsin Sea Grant Advisory Council and been a leader for Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.
“Bud has been such a force in water conservation for decades,” said Jessica Schultz, Fox-Wolf Executive Director. “What’s remarkable is how he continues to inspire and guide people. We wouldn’t be where we are today without him.”
Impact Award Recipients
Seven Oaks Dairy is being recognized for its dedication to sustainable farming and soil health practices. Their efforts include participation in the Climate Smart Dairy Study and other innovative projects that improve water quality and land management. The dairy has been a vocal advocate for sharing best practices with others. They did this through field days and tours, setting a new standard for agricultural conservation.
Jeff Mazanec, Senior Consultant at raSmith, is being honored for his extensive contributions. The contributions are to stormwater management and community engagement. As a long-time board member of Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, Jeff has connected people from diverse fields to improve local water quality. His passion for water-based recreation has led to community paddling events, encouraging others to appreciate and protect the region’s waterways.
Community First Credit Union is being recognized as well. Its recognition is for its commitment to environmentally friendly infrastructure. They’ve incorporated native plantings and permeable pavers at their facilities, which help manage runoff and improve water filtration. Their sustainable design choices are making a positive impact on the local environment.
Ryan Kudish, meteorologist at WFRV-TV Local 5, is receiving an Impact Award for his work on Sustainably Speaking, a weekly news segment focused on environmental issues. Through this platform, Ryan has highlighted critical topics related to sustainability, bringing attention to local efforts and inspiring the community to take action.
