The environmental community recognizes the efforts of state representative Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton), the recipient of the Ice Age Trail Alliance’s prestigious Henry S. Reuss Award, for her support of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
The award is named in honor of the late U.S. Congressman who was instrumental in securing the Ice Age Trail’s status as a National Scenic Trail. It is presented to an individual whose work through government channels has significantly impacted the Ice Age Trail and who actively supports the Ice Age Trail Alliance’s mission.
“I’ve had a great relationship with the Ice Age Trail Alliance and I’m honored to receive this prestigious award,” says Loudenbeck. “I appreciate the Alliance’s dedication to the Ice Age Trail. Their work has a positive impact across Wisconsin and their proactive support and advocacy were incredibly helpful to ensuring a successful reauthorization of the Stewardship Program.”
Through her work on the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee, Rep. Loudenbeck has been an advocate for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and authored the plan to maintain current funding levels.
“Representative Loudenbeck has been a staunch supporter of the Ice Age Trail and the Alliance,” says Kevin Thusius, Director of Land Conservation for the Ice Age Trail Alliance. “As a result, she’s championed the primary source for funding land protection of the Trail: the State’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.”
This is the first time in almost two decades the award has been handed out. The last recipient, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, received the award in 2004. Ice Age Trail Alliance volunteers and staff submit nominations for the award, and the Ice Age Trail Alliance Award committee votes on nominations received.
Learn more in this story by WCLO.
Featured image by Joshua Mayer, 2014.
