Celebrating, Advancing and Sharing Wisconsin's Conservation Legacy
The Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame is pleased to share links to our four virtual Induction Ceremony events held April 24, 2021.
Scroll down the Inductee page for the event recordings, photos and additional resources:
Stephen Born – 2020 Inductee
Jens Jensen – 2020 Inductee
Stanley Temple – 2020 Inductee
Gary Eldred – 2021 Inductee
Thank you for supporting the WCHF!…
Read more
The Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame (WCHF) Foundation holds an annual Induction Ceremony typically on a Saturday near Earth Day. This year’s ceremony will honor our 2020 and 2021 Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame conservation heroes Saturday, April 24, 2021! Join us for a series of four free events held live on a virtual platform throughout the day. Induction Ceremony Invitation
This year’s ceremony marks the induction of our 100th conservation hero along with three others. Everyone is invited to participate and help us celebrate this milestone.
From left to right: Gary Eldred, Stephen Born, Jens Jensen and Stanley Temple
You must be registered to join each event. Registration will remain open until the start of the …
Read more
Wilhelmine La Budde is in the news! According to WDNR’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program 2020 Field Notes (page 16) she has inspired Gigi La Budde to dedicate her life to conservation. Wilhelmine was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1990. Among the many words of wisdom she passed onto her granddaughter: “Preserving and cherishing our natural resources is the highest form of patriotism.”
Over the years, Wisconsin women have made significant contributions to the conservation movement. They continue to make a positive difference today. The Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc., is honored to celebrate women and their education, scientific, literary, historical, and charitable pursuits that build a brighter future for conservation and conservationists across our state.…
Read more
March is Women’s History Month. This year’s theme is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society.
The women Inductees into the Hall of Fame have significantly contributed to the continuing knowledge and practice of the conservation ethic by engaging in education, scientific, literary, historical and charitable pursuits which will recognize the principles of the conservation movement.
According to Data USA, 78.5% of conservation scientists and foresters in the US are male. As recently as the 1940s, there were almost no women working professionally in Wisconsin conservation. (Schlitz Audubon Nature Center)
Nina Leopold Bradley Inducted 2013
Ruth Clusen Inducted 2002
Emily Earley Inducted 2010
Frances Hamerstrom Inducted 1996
Ruth Hine Inducted 2010
Wilhelmine La Budde Inducted 1990
Ingebord …
Read more
Ernie Swift was inducted to the WCHF in 1986. After earning recognition as a fearless northwoods game warden (1926-1935), Swift became deputy director of the old Wisconsin Conservation Department. He rose steadily in the ranks, becoming assistant director in 1943 and director in 1947. He left state service in 1954 and served briefly as assistant director of the US Fish & Wildlife Service before accepting appointment as director of the National Wildlife Federation.
Pat Durkin, a member of the WCHF Board of Directors, wrote a recent article about Ernie Swift entitled Deer: Conservation’s Longtime ‘Problem Child’. In it he describes a book written by Ernest Swift, A History of Wisconsin Deer, that covers the first 30 years of Wisconsin’s effort to manage and …
Read more