Learn about an extraordinary conservation project at our May 12, 2026 Chapter Gathering
Also in May – Storm-rescheduled chapter elections

John Griffith is a Life Member of TU and the leader of an effort by American Songbird Management and Recovery (ASMAR) and other conservation organizations to purchase and preserve the Gratiot River watershed on the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan’s UP.  This is a multi-million dollar effort to preserve thousands of acres for preservation and public enjoyment.The Gratiot is a lovely, wild stream with runs of Lake Superior salmon and steelhead with wild brook trout in the headwaters.  It features some beautiful waterfalls.

John Griffith is a conservation biologist, kitesurfer, and solar power advocate. He invented and sells the FlopStopper, which keeps boats from rolling while at anchor. John enjoys farm life and restoring historic Keweenaw buildingsS ince 1986, John and his wife Jane have owned and operated Griffith Wildlife Biology, performing research and management on endangered southwestern riparian and coastal sage scrub birds. They moved to the Keweenaw Peninsula from San Diego in 1989, founded the first local land trust (Keweenaw Natural Areas) in 1992, helped found American Songbird in 2020, and are life members of Trout Unlimited and the Audubon Society. The Griffiths have been working toward protection of the Gratiot River since 1990.

In 2022 the Griffiths achieved a life goal and placed a Conservation Easement on their private 1,915 acres with 1.1 miles of Lake Superior shoreline and the Turtle Lake wetland complex. The CE prohibits all splits, structures, and development in perpetuity. The Griffiths have 6 German shepherds and two children: Kate (35) is an ornithologist, and Evan (33) is a veterinarian and Tufts University professor.

For more information on the project, American Songbird, and maps and photos, please visit www.GratiotRiverWatershed.org

Please join us at our May 12 gathering for the presentation and chapter elections . As usual, we’ll meet at Schwoegler’s with food and drink available anytime after 530 and Jason’s presentation starting around 7. Schwoegler’s is on Grand Canyon Drive on Madison’s west side with ample parking, good food, beverages, and service.

Board Elections (Storm-Delayed)

SWTU learned that the West Side tornado sirens work just fine and that Schwoegler’ has a large and safe basement.  The meeting occurred after the hail storm but during stormy weather.  When the sirens went off everyone had to shelter in the basement.  Schwoegler’s staff was efficient and friendly and folks took the 30 minutes of confinement in good spirits.  We certainly learned that restaurants and bars buy and store lots of paper and plastic products.

Jason Freund, our speaker, took the interruption in stride and completed an excellent presentation on the trout, habitat, research, restoration and fishing in the Driftless Area near LaCrosse.  The DNR, UW LaCrosse, and Coulee Region TU have a great partnership that benefits trout, anglers, and students.

The downside of the stormy weather was a small crowd and some of our candidates not being able to attend the entire meeting.  We postponed the Officer and Board Elections until the May meeting.  More members will be able to meet our candidates and vote so here (again) is our candidate information.

The floor will be open for nominations. The SWTU Officers will run for another one year term: Topf Wells (President), Dyan Lesnik (Vice President), Josh Reilly (Secretary), Michael Westbury (Treasurer) and Michael Williamson (State TU Representative).

Our Three Board of Director Candidates:

Linda Dorazio
I’m Linda D’Orazio and been with TU for about a year. I’m impressed with the educational and conservation efforts. Being involved with many events I see the camaraderie and sheer enjoyment of working with this group. I’m learning to fish and tying flies is my favorite! I would love to participate on the board and get to know more about the organization.

Dave Graczyk
I was employed by the U.S. Geological Survey-WRD for 36 years as a surface water- water quality hydrologist. Primarily I worked on NonPoint projects for the WDNR ‘s priority watersheds, including Black Earth Creek. I collected the water quality and hydrological data in the pre- and post- implementation periods. I have retired and would like to volunteer again (I was a TU officer in the late 1980’s).

John Freeborg (incumbent)
John has been a SWTU member since 2016 and board member since 2022. He started taking the chapter’s fly tying courses in 2017 and is still trying to graduate from the intermediate class after many attempts. Recently retired, he hopes to support the chapter in a greater capacity in another term.

Thank you to all for stepping up and a special thanks to Mark Maffitt, who is concluding his Board term after several decades of impressive involvement across many roles, including newsletter editor and President.

Schwoegler’s Lanes, 444 Grand Canyon Dr., Madison, WI 53719