The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources named Diane Perschbacher and Rory Williams as the 2026 State Natural Areas Volunteers of the Year for their work at Oshkosh-Larsen Trail Prairies State Natural Area.
The two have volunteered since 2018 and became volunteer stewards at the site after one year. Since then, they have contributed nearly 1,500 volunteer hours to the preserve, the department said.
The trail and agricultural fields surrounding the narrow prairie corridor create significant invasive species pressure. Perschbacher and Williams have worked to control more than 18 different types of invasive plants, expanding space for native species to thrive.
"We enjoy seeing the rare species reappear each year," Williams said. "By removing invasives, we give space for these species to live. There's such a great contrast between the state natural area, where the majority of flora is native, and the surrounding trail and roadways."
Beyond invasive plant removal, the volunteers also monitor rare plants, collect seed, and survey for bumblebees and butterflies. They have compiled calendars tracking when native plants bloom and enter seed-collection stages to help guide site management.
Wisconsin's state natural areas support 90 percent of the state's rare plant species and 75 percent of its rare wildlife species, according to the DNR. Nearly all properties are open to the public for bird watching, hiking, hunting and fishing.