Annual WCC award recipients
Wisconsin Conservation Congress
Each year the Wisconsin Conservation Congress recognizes individuals and organizations who have dedicated themselves and their time to the conservation of Wisconsin's natural resources. These awards are intended to acknowledge the hard work, exemplary leadership and commitment of these individuals and groups to continuing our outdoor legacy for generations to come.
Award nomination form
2026 Statewide, Local Organization/ Educator Nomination Form
2026 DNR Staff Nomination Form
2018 WCC Convention Awards
- Statewide Organization of the Year - Wisconsin Interscholastic Fishing Association
- Local Organization of the Year - Waukesha County Conservation Alliance
- Local Organization of the Year - Rusk County Safe Hunters of Tomorrow (SHOT)
- Educator of the Year - Matthew Propsom (Sturgeon Bay)
- Outstanding DNR Professional - Curtis Twellmann (Assistant Furbearer Ecologist)
- Outstanding DNR Professional - Douglas Weber (Sturgeon Habitat Project Coordinator)
- Migratory Officer of the Year - Nathan Ackerman (Mississippi River Team Warden)
- Dave A. Ladd Delegates of the Year - Paul Reith (Dane County)
- WCC Hall of Fame Inductee - Steven Oestreicher (former WCC Chair)
2019 WCC Convention Awards
- Statewide Organization of the Year - Outdoor Heritage Education Center (OHEC)
- Local Organization of the Year - Douglas County Fish & Game League
- Educator of the Year - Marlin Spindler (Beaver Dam)
- Migratory Officer of the Year - John Below (USFWS Wildlife Officer)
- Outstanding DNR Professional - Tom Hill (Senior Forester)
- Outstanding DNR Professional - Neal Rosenberg (NW Fish Culture Supervisor)
- Outstanding DNR Professional - Jordan Weeks (Mississippi River Team Supervisor)
- Dave A. Ladd Delegate of the Year - Harold Drake (Dodge County)
- WCC Hall of Fame Inductee - Donna Liljegren
2020 WCC Convention Awards (Presented in 2022)
- David A. Ladd Delegate of the Year - Mark LaBarbera
- Department of Natural Resources Outstanding Professional - Paul Samerdyke
2021 WCC Convention Awards (Presented in 2022)
- David A Ladd Delegate of the Year - Terri Roehrig
- Educator of the Year – David Mickelson
2022 WCC Convention Awards
- David A Ladd Delegate of the Year - Al Horvath (posthumously awarded)
- Educator of the Year - Ruth Ann Lee
- Local Conservation Organization of the Year - Daniel Boone Conservation League
- Department of Natural Resources Outstanding Professional - Jeff Lang
- Department of Natural Resources Outstanding Professional - Taylor Finger
- Department of Natural Resources Outstanding Professional - Kyle Zenz (Youth Conservation Congress Coordinator)
2023 WCC Convention Awards
- David A Ladd Delegate of the Year - Reed Kabelowsky
- Local Conservation Organization of the Year - Lower Chippewa River Alliance
- Statewide Conservation Organization of the Year - Lakeshore Trout Unlimited
- Department of Natural Resources Outstanding Professional - Brandon Smith
- Department of Natural Resources Outstanding Professional - Adam Foehringer
- Department of Natural Resources Outstanding Professional - Darren Ladwig
- Department of Natural Resources Outstanding Professional - Paul Cunningham
- Waterfowl Officer of the Year - Bob Jumbeck
- WCC Hall of Fame Inductee- Bob Ellingson, Sr.
2024 WCC Convention Awards
- Local Conservation Organization of the Year - Riverside Hunting & Fishing Club
- Conservation Educator of the Year - Ryan & Jessica Peterson
- Wisconsin Waterfowl Officer of the Year - Warden Zach Seitz
- David A Ladd Delegate of the Year - MarySusan Diedrich
- WCC Hall of Fame Inductees - Dr. Hugo Schneiders & Ron Anton
- Department of Natural Resources Outstanding Professional - Kari Lee-Zimmermann
2025 WCC Convention Awards
- Local Conservation Organization of the Year - Outdoors Forever
- Statewide Conservation Organization of the Year - Wisconsin Wildlife Federation
- Conservation Educator of the Year - Menomonie Hunter Education Group
- Law Enforcement Officer of the Year - Warden Mark Schraufnagel
- Wisconsin Waterfowl Officer of the Year - Warden Kyle Ziembo
- David A Ladd Delegate of the Year - Scott Gunderson
- Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Professional - Liz Herzmann
- Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Professional - Elliot Hoffman