Photo Credit: Katie Weber

Ice Age Trail Alliance Award Winners

Without the dedication, hard work, and enthusiastic support of our volunteers, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail would be little more than a line on a map.

We celebrate our volunteers through our annual recognition of their outstanding contributions to our organization and the mission we hold dear.

Partnership Awards

Ray Zillmer Award Recipient(s):

  • 2024: Patty Dreier
  • 2020: David Phillips (Learn more about Mr. Phillips here.)
  • 2020: David Kinnamon (Learn more about Mr. Kinnamon here.)
  • 2001: David Obey

Henry S. Reuss Award Recipients:

  • 2024: Rod Bartlow
  • 2022: Amy Loudenbeck, Wisconsin Representative (R-Clinton)
  • 2004: Tammy Baldwin, United States Senator (D-Madison)
  • 2001: Kevin Shibilski

Public Partner Award Recipients:

  • 2024: Anne Korman, former Superintendent of the Kettle Moraine State Forest–Southern Unit
  • 2023: Jarrod Kehring, Department of Natural Resources Property Supervisor for Hartman Creek State Park
  • 2021: Dan Watson, National Park Service, Volunteer Coordinator – Ice Age National Scenic Trail
  • 2020: Jake Walcisak, County Forest Administrator
  • 2020: Melessa Johnson, Director of Marathon County Solid Waste Department
  • 2019: Ray Hajewski, former Wisconsin DNR Trails Coordinator for the Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit
  • 2018: Tim Vetter, Recreation, Wilderness & Lands Program Manager with the United State Forest Service
  • 2011: Terry Jensen
  • 2010: Brigit Brown
  • 2008: Tom Presny
  • 2008: Tom Gilbert
  • 2004: John Wald
  • 1997: Janet Beach Hanson
Godfrey & Kahn 2023 Friend of the Trail Award, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Ice Age Trail Alliance

Friend of the Ice Age Trail Recipients:

Trailbuilding Awards

New Crew Leader Award Recipients:

2024:

  • Rick Gamble
  • Steve Hall
  • Theron Nash
  • Mark Ronnie
  • Lisa Szela
  • Maria Verbrugge
  • Mark Walker
  • Alice Weinert
  • Cory Wiese
  • Tami Wiese

2023:

  • Riley Dupee
  • Rob Fisk
  • Mark Gleissner
  • Patrick Gleissner
  • Mark Ormsby
  • Beth Shimmyo

2020:

  • Michele Amacher
  • Kim Ignatius
  • Mike Livesey

2019:

  • Rick Bie
  • Dan Brereton
  • David Carew
  • Julien Cossette
  • Alaina Dedo
  • Diane Harp
  • Anne Helsley-Marchbanks
  • Stephanie Hoff
  • Ryan Jansen
  • Amy Jensen
  • David Manteufel
  • Dustin Pares
  • Charles Schwartz

2018:

Kevin Kuhlmann

Ice Age Trail Alliance, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Crew Leader Emeritus

Crew Leader Emeritus Award Recipients:

2023:

Gail Piotrowski

2020:

Thelma Johnson

2019:

Dan Rambo

2017:

Bob Broman
Gary Klatt
Lyle Lidholm
Rachel Roberts
John Shank
Butch Siegel
Keith Veldhuizen
Barbara Wollmer

Trail Steward of the Year Award Recipients:

2024: Wendell Holl

View more information about past Trail Steward of the Year award winners.

Dedicated Service Awards

Years of Service Award Recipients:

50 Years of Service: Bob Rusch

Download a list of current and past Years of Service award recipients [PDF].

Spirit Stick Award Recipients:

2024: Fred and Marilynn Nash

View more information about past Spirit Stick award winners.

“In The Mud” Award Recipients:

Download a list of current and past “In the Mud” award winners [PDF].

National Park Service Volunteers in Parks Awards Program Recipients:

6,000 Hours VIP: Jerome Converse, Dennis James, John Kolbe, and Bill Welch.

Watch the 2024 Awards Ceremony Video (Part 1 and Part 2) for a full list of winners.

Ice Age Trail Alliance, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Staff Excellence Award

Excellence in Staff Service Award Recipients:

  • 2021: Mike Wollmer, Executive Director
  • 2020: Luke Kloberdanz, Director of Philanthropy
  • 2016: Joanne Ellarson, Administrative Assistant
  • 2016: Kevin Thusius, Director of Land Conservation
  • 2012: Tim Malzhan, Trailway Director
Ice Age Trail Alliance, Mammoth Society Award

Mammoth Society (Retired) Award Recipients:

  • Bess & Bernie Alberg
  • Jerry Goth
  • Lee Swanson
  • Anonymous

Leadership Memorial Award Recipients:

  • Dick Cates
  • Tom Drought
  • Cora Dversdall
  • Joyce Erdman
  • Ody J. Fish
  • Roy Gromme
  • Russ Helwig
  • Gary Klatt
  • Warren Knowles
  • Henry Reuss
  • Sarah Sykes
  • Marion “Barney” Viste
  • J.J. “Doc” Werner
  • John Zillmer
  • Raymond Zillmer

Scholarship Award

Douglas “Stickman” Sherman Scholarship Award Recipients:

  • 2024: Rayna Scheunemann
  • 2023: Chase Jones
  • 2022: Naleah Boys
  • 2021: Natilie Scheunemann
  • 2020: Siri Martin
  • 2019: Ryan Gasser
  • 2018: None
  • 2017: Emily Amundson
  • 2016: Charlie Booher
  • 2015: Derek Sopha