Oneida County Land and Water Department recognizes stewardship award winners

The Oneida County Land & Water Conservation Department has recognized several individuals, and one organization, for outstanding achievement this past year for their extraordinary efforts to protect Oneida County’s lands and bodies of water. Winners received award certificates at the 12th annual Oneida County Stewardship Awards Banquet held Aug. 10 at the Holiday Acres Resort in Rhinelander, according to a department press release.

Outstanding Lake Stewardship awards were presented to Jim Gehrke, Crescent Lake; Joe Steinhage, Two Sisters Lake; Ted Rulseh, Birch Lake; Lynn Zibell, Three Lakes Chain; Andrea Billings, Buffalo Lake; and Marcia Obukowicz, county-wide. 

Watercraft inspector Jacques Tulowitzky received an award for preventing two zebra infested boats from launching into Lake Nokomis. His quick thinking and timely response were critical in preventing an infestation of zebra mussels, the release states. 

A Special Lifetime Stewardship award was presented to Sandy Wickman, regional coordinator of the Citizen Lakes Monitoring Network, WDNR and UW Extension Lakes, and an Exceptional Stewardship Recognition award recognized the continuing efforts of the Oneida County Lakes & Rivers Association.

Citizen Lake Monitoring Network volunteers who have completed five to 30-plus years collecting water quality data on Oneida County waters were also honored. 

Five-year awards were presented to Amanda Glebs, Lake Seventeen; Michael Mader, Meta Lake; Marie Margitan, Hill Lake; Buck Meyers, Blue Lake; and Cathy and Dave Olig, Lee Lake. 

Ten-year awards were presented to Ken Zator, Maple Lake; Lynn Zibell, Virgin Lake; Debbie Westphal, Tom Doyle Lake; and Alan Schwoegler, West Horsehead Lake. 

Fifteen-year awards were presented to Mark Noesges, Hasbrook Lake; Paul Swanson, Hasbrook Lake; and Pam McVety, George Lake. 

A special 30-year award was presented to Allen and Rosemary Toussaint, who have recorded nearly 500 water quality readings and nearly 200 water chemistry samples on Alva Lake.

Many local businesses and individuals donated door prizes for banquet attendees, and this year’s Stewardship Awards Banquet would not have been possible without the support of table sponsorships from the following lake groups, individuals, and businesses: Bear Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District, Big Bearskin Lake Association, Crescent Lake Association, Joan and Robb Jensen, Lumberjack RC&D Inc., Oneida County Lakes & Rivers Association, Pelican Lake Association Inc., Shishebogama/Gunlock Lakes Association, Sorgel Fine Arts Gallery & Gifts-Three Lakes , Three Lakes Waterfront Association, and Two Sisters Lake Property Owners Association. 

For banquet photos, visit https://www.oclw.org/2023-award-banquet.html.