In 2003, a grand total of more than 232 people volunteered in wildlife, habitat, outreach, administrative and maintenance projects for the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. They contributed over 5,934 hours of time and talent, at an estimated value of $56,373.

Those figures break down to include more than 232 people who volunteered in 11 groups from seven core communities: Waupun, Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac, Juneau, and Oshkosh, Wis; Mount Prospect, Ill; St. Louis, Mo; and several foreign countries.

The groups include the Friends of Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, Beaver Dam Charter School, AFS, Wisconsin Department of Community Corrections, Boy Scout Troop 149, Tom Giese Family, Redeemer Lutheran Church Boy Pioneers, Camp Sherwood Forest, Hyland Prairie 4-H Club, Juneau Victorians 4-H Club, Oak Grove Owls 4-H Club, Lutheran Social Services, and Community Care, Inc.

The figures also include 62 volunteers who worked more than 4,147 hours as individuals.

Fifty-four people attended the annual volunteer recognition event held January 28 at the Refuge visitor center.

Nancy Hall of Fort Atkinson was named volunteer of the year. Hall worked 102 hours in 2003 helping with the annual fishing expedition, staffing the visitor center, guiding field trips and assisting with bicycle and bus tours. She is a board member of the Friends of Horicon National Wildlife Refuge and not only attends their monthly meetings but also participates in their work activities. Since she started volunteering at the Refuge in 1996, she also staffed a booth at the Audubon Days festival in Mayville, completed work projects for National Public Lands Day, and served as a Marsh Steward. According to ranger Molly Stoddard, "Nancy travels over one hour each way to get here. She is reliable and always cheerful and pleasant to work with. She has been volunteering consistently over a long period of time. She is always game to try new things, too. Nancy is long overdue to receive this award.? An anonymous nominator wrote, ?Nancy actively and enthusiastically participates in almost all of the volunteer activities.?

A team of three volunteers selected the volunteer of the year from 10 nominations received from both employees and volunteers. Through the Friends of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Hall received sponsorship of a 2004 release group of whooping crane chicks as her award. She also received a framed whooping crane and sandhill crane poster and a complimentary one-year membership to the Friends of Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. Her name has been added to an engraved plaque which hangs in the Refuge's visitor center.

Lori Wienke of Stevens Point (formerly of Beaver Dam) was recognized as the individual who worked the most hours. Wienke worked 400 hours in 2003 primarily assisting the biological program. Refuge biologist Wendy Woyczik said, ?Many of the surveys would not have been completed without her help. She is very responsible, dedicated, hardworking, and knowledgeable. Lori is not afraid to ask questions to fuel her learning.? Wienke helped conduct waterfowl, road kill, purple loosestrife, and vegetation surveys. She helped with water level readings, duck banding, purple loosestrife control, data entry and manipulations, narrative reports, computer and software installation, and moving used office furniture from another federal office in Milwaukee. Wienke is now a full-time undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in the College of Natural Resources.

The Wisconsin Department of Community Corrections of Oshkosh was spotlighted as the group that worked the most hours. In 2003, 58 people contributed 888 hours as marsh stewards. Marsh stewards pick up litter two or more times per year at their designated site on the Refuge. Assistant manager Diane Kitchen commented, ?The Corrections groups did such an awesome job by being such dedicated and committed marsh stewards! They picked up litter at multiple sites on the Refuge and worked every other weekend from April to September, collecting and filling 10 to 20 garbage bags each time!?

The Friends of Horicon National Wildlife Refuge were also recognized for their continued support. Refuge manager Patti Meyers provided each officer with a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service volunteer pin. Officers included: Roy Zastrow of Mayville, President; Harold Steinback of Beaver Dam, President-Elect; Glenn Burg of Fox Lake, Treasurer; and Betty Flesch of Fond du Lac, Secretary.

Many other groups and individuals were thanked by employees for their support as refuge volunteers. They come from as far away as overseas or as close by as a next door neighbor. Some volunteers work a large number of hours in one year while others work only a few hours but return year after year to support refuge activities. "Each one performs a vital function in making Horicon Marsh a better place," stated Stoddard, "and we are grateful for their participation."

Rob Nurre of Madison provided a presentation for the volunteers and their guests at the recognition event January 28. Nurre works as the Land Records Manager for the State of Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. Posing as a historical character, the "Surly Surveyor," Nurre demonstrated how Wisconsin was first surveyed prior to settlement in the 1800s. He tailored this interpretive program to LeRoy Township by comparing original survey notes to current photos of the same local sites. He connected the past to the present and future as Refuge staff are using this historic information today to restore the marsh's ecology, and volunteers are helping in that effort.

Several partners contributed to the recognition event, especially the Leopold Wetland Management District, the Friends of Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, and the State of Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.