A Winnebago County-area couple has been named the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' 2026 State Natural Areas Volunteers of the Year.
Rory Williams and Diane Perschbacher were recognized for volunteer work at the Oshkosh-Larson Trail Prairies State Natural Area, where they maintain prairie habitat and document rare species. The couple lives in Neenah, about a 20-minute drive from the site.
Their work started with DNR-organized projects such as brush clearing and expanded into invasive species removal. After training that included a session in Boulder Junction, they now handle much of the routine maintenance on their own and call in DNR staff for larger infestations or projects needing more workers and equipment.
Williams also photographs wildlife at the prairie, including butterflies, bumblebees and tiger beetles. The couple has documented rusty patched bumblebees, a federally endangered species, in five of the past six years.
They say native plants such as prairie dock, golden alexanders and orchids get a chance to flourish when invasive plants are kept in check, and they hope the award draws more attention to state natural areas and to volunteering.
