The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced Whitewater resident Ginny Coburn as the 2021 State Natural Areas Volunteer Steward of the Year for her work within the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest.
Describing Coburn as “driven by a passion for nature and ecology,” the release noted that Coburn began volunteering at the Kettle Moraine State Forest in 2012.
According to the release, Coburn and fellow volunteers have provided thousands of hours of labor at Bluff Creek, Kettle Moraine Oak Opening, Whitewater Oak Opening and Clover Valley Fen State Natural Areas in the Kettle Moraine State Forest, including removing brush, controlling invasive plants and collecting and sowing native prairie seeds. Coburn also serves as a contact for monthly workdays and greets and signs in volunteers.
“Ginny has had an important role in protecting and restoring some truly amazing prairies, springs, oak openings and fens in the Kettle Moraine,” said Jared Urban within the release. Urban serves as the DNR’s volunteer program coordinator for state natural areas. “She was the first one to say yes to starting volunteer workdays to remove invasive plants in the Kettle Moraine and has been essential to keeping monthly workdays going,” he added.
With nearly 10 years of volunteering at Kettle Moraine State Forest, Coburn possesses a wealth of knowledge, the release continued, including safely wielding a chainsaw, collecting seeds and controlling invasive plants. Coburn is also instrumental in engaging others in this vital work, including her grandchildren who have volunteered alongside her on various projects.
Coburn’s deep community connections helped her recruit individuals and organizations for special projects, including a cooperative project to install a boot brush at Bluff Creek to prevent anglers from inadvertently spreading aquatic invasive species.
“Everyone likes Ginny. I most admire her energy to help make things happen. She is always ready to learn and is a let’s-go-do-it kind of person,” Urban said.
In addition to seeing great progress at state natural areas in Kettle Moraine State Forest, one of Coburn’s favorite parts of volunteering is the people she’s met along the way, the release noted.
“They are fun and knowledgeable and will come out and help or work in any weather,” Coburn was quoted as saying in the release. “We learn a lot from each other and have a very enjoyable time. We feel like we’ve done good work toward a really big goal,” she added.
Become a volunteer
State natural areas are designated to conserve the best of Wisconsin prairies, forests, wetlands and other habitats. These unique places support 90% of rare plant species and 75% of rare wildlife species. Nearly all properties are open to the public to enjoy while bird watching, hiking, hunting and fishing.
The Wisconsin DNR is actively recruiting volunteers to help care for these unique places. No experience is necessary, and training and equipment are provided on-site.
To learn more about the DNR’s state natural areas volunteer program and receive workday notifications, visit: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Lands/NaturalAreas/volunteer.html.
Ginny Coburn, Whitewater, has been named the 2021 State Natural Areas Volunteer Steward of the Year for her work to help restore state natural areas in Kettle Moraine State Forest. Photo credit: Scott Farrell/contributed photo.
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