William (Bill) G. Lunney
1941 – 2026
Inducted 2026
William G. Lunney has embodied a lifetime of service to the public and to the conservation of Wisconsin’s lands,
waters and wildlife. From the first success in 1969 helping to save regionally significant wetlands Dunn’s Marsh
and Upper Mud Lake Wetlands, to the recent creation of the historic multimillion dollar Private Foundation to
support Dane County Parks, Bill has been the energy propelling many local and statewide conservation
successes.
He helped co-found state and local conservation organizations including the Wisconsin Wetlands Association,
Friends of Capital Springs State Recreation Area, Foundation for Dane County Parks, and Groundswell
Conservancy. He served in board leadership roles with Wisconsin Chapter of Nature Conservancy, Natural
Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, Friends of Wisconsin State Parks, Gathering Waters Conservancy.
As Parks Commission Chair for 30 years, he guided Dane County Parks system from 3,500 to 19,000 acres, was
instrumental in supporting state parks and land trusts, helped form the public strategy for re-authorization of
the Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program, and protected key conservation areas including Lower Waubesa
Wetlands and Monona Wetlands.
In honor of his innumerable contributions to conservation throughout our state, Bill received myriad
recognition. Dane County dedicated the William G. Lunney Lake Farm Park in his honor, and he received the
State Lifetime Achievement Award from Gathering Waters, Statewide “Friend” Award from the Wisconsin Parks
and Recreation Association, Lifetime Achievement Award from Groundswell.
His indelible impact on conservation by raising public awareness has been celebrated in the words of many
including Howard Mead, former publisher of “Wisconsin Trails,” who said, “Bill is one of the most significant
voices for conservation since Aldo Leopold,” and the Wisconsin State Legislature, which cited “He has had a
profound legacy as conservation leader statewide.” His life and contributions serve as a living embodiment of
Wisconsin’s proud legacy of conservation.
RESOURCES:
Opinion | If you enjoy Dane County’s parks, thank Bill Lunney; The Cap Times, March 2, 2026
Dane County mourns loss of Bill Lunney, a parks and conservation icon; WKOW, March 2, 2026
Dane County mourns loss of former park commission chair; Channel 3000, March 2, 2026
Dane County: Mourns the loss of parks leader and conservation champion Bill Lunney; State Affairs, WisPolitics, March 2, 2026