Williams and Westedt Scholarships

Gary Williams and Dana Westedt were the recipients of the 2009 Environmental Education Scholarships offered by the Sauk County Land Conservation Department and Committee.

Gary is the president of the Summer Outdoor Adventure Club (SOAC) and a member of the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance. He attended the “Leopold Education Project National Conference” at the Aldo Leopold Foundation outside of Baraboo. He stated “I have been on the right path trying to get kids outside learning, becoming comfortable with nature, exploring, moving and I need to continue doing this. We help kids on the inside by taking them outside.”

Dana teaches fourth grade at Reedsburg's South Elementary School . She attended “Forestry Education in the Wisconsin K-12 Classroom” held in Sheboygan . Dana said “I am always interested in learning more ways to utilize the Reedsburg's School Forest . I would also like to have my students make more connections with urban forestry.”

The Sauk County Land Conservation Department and Committee supports Gary, Dana and other teachers through its environmental education initiatives. The benefits to teachers, our area youth, and ultimately the environment will be evident for years to come. Each year up to two scholarships are made available to Sauk County teachers. Please contact the Land Conservation Department if you would like to receive more information at ppohle@co.sauk.wi.us or 355-3245.