Honored with River Champion Award by River Alliance of Wisconsin
SWTU Board member Topf Wells was presented with a River Champion Award by the River Alliance of Wisconsin at the group’s 25th anniversary meeting on September 27.
Sharon White, Associate Director of the Alliance, presented the prestigious award, saying: “When he worked for Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, Topf Wells was instrumental in developing watershed protection programs, most notably the Permanent Trout Stream Easement Program. Over 20 miles of Dane County Trout waters have been restored and protected in perpetuity. Since he retired, Topf has donated hundreds of volunteer hours through Southern Wisconsin Trout Unlimited to restoration, improved public access and permanent protection to Dane County waterways, especially the Sugar River. He is a tireless advocate for state and local policies to protect our watersheds. A true River champion!”
Topf said there were three three things that inspired him to do this work in the face of challenges. “One: the rivers and streams themselves. If given a modicum of protection and tender, loving care, rivers and streams and the forms of life they sustain ALWAYS show remarkable recuperative powers. Two: Colleagues and friends, including fellow volunteers from other conservation organizations, the professional staff from the Dane County Land and Water Resources Department, the DNR, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Three: His parents, who always took the time to take him fishing, and the most wonderful wife in the world who always lets me put off tasks to go fishing or work on streams.”
Other River Champion Award winners were: Barb Gifford for her work to save the Little Plover River; Bill Schultheis for his successful fight to kill the LaFarge Dam on the Kickapoo River in the 1970’s; Wisconsin’s Green Fire, a recently formed group of retired DNR resource professionals and their allies who strive to present factual and scientific information to the public; and, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, for their efforts to kill the proposed Back Forty Mine near the Menominee River.
Topf, center, with Raj Shukla, Executive Director, and Sharon White, Associate Director
Congratulations to Topf Wells!
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Last Updated: October 3, 2018 by Drew Kasel
Honored with River Champion Award by River Alliance of Wisconsin
SWTU Board member Topf Wells was presented with a River Champion Award by the River Alliance of Wisconsin at the group’s 25th anniversary meeting on September 27.
Sharon White, Associate Director of the Alliance, presented the prestigious award, saying: “When he worked for Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, Topf Wells was instrumental in developing watershed protection programs, most notably the Permanent Trout Stream Easement Program. Over 20 miles of Dane County Trout waters have been restored and protected in perpetuity. Since he retired, Topf has donated hundreds of volunteer hours through Southern Wisconsin Trout Unlimited to restoration, improved public access and permanent protection to Dane County waterways, especially the Sugar River. He is a tireless advocate for state and local policies to protect our watersheds. A true River champion!”
Topf said there were three three things that inspired him to do this work in the face of challenges. “One: the rivers and streams themselves. If given a modicum of protection and tender, loving care, rivers and streams and the forms of life they sustain ALWAYS show remarkable recuperative powers. Two: Colleagues and friends, including fellow volunteers from other conservation organizations, the professional staff from the Dane County Land and Water Resources Department, the DNR, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Three: His parents, who always took the time to take him fishing, and the most wonderful wife in the world who always lets me put off tasks to go fishing or work on streams.”
Other River Champion Award winners were: Barb Gifford for her work to save the Little Plover River; Bill Schultheis for his successful fight to kill the LaFarge Dam on the Kickapoo River in the 1970’s; Wisconsin’s Green Fire, a recently formed group of retired DNR resource professionals and their allies who strive to present factual and scientific information to the public; and, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, for their efforts to kill the proposed Back Forty Mine near the Menominee River.
Topf, center, with Raj Shukla, Executive Director, and Sharon White, Associate Director
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