Jun 20, 2011
Winners Announced for Rod Nilsestuen Award for Working Lands Preservation
Alan Sweeney and Jim Matson were recently named the winners of the Rod Nilsestuen Award for Working Lands Preservation. This award recognizes individuals or organizations that exhibit extraordinary commitment to the preservation of Wisconsin's working lands. It honors Rod Nilsestuen's legacy as a longtime Wisconsin agriculture, cooperative and conservation leader.
Alan Sweeney - Alan is a farmer from Rock County, has been a leader in developing the county's PACE Program, serves as a County Board Supervisor, and chairs the county's PACE Program Committee.
Jim Matson - Jim recently retired from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection after 36 years of service, including 28 as chief legal counsel. Jim was a driving force within the agency on the Working Lands Initiative.
The awards will be presented at Gathering Waters Conservancy's annual Land Conservation Leadership Awards Celebration on Thursday, September 29th. The Awards Celebration recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of individuals, policy makers, and land trusts who are working to protect the places that make Wisconsin special. The awards honor the power of committe citizens and offer inspiring examples of conservation success. For information, please see Gathering Waters' website.