The Sierra Club Wisconsin Chapter is pleased to announce the 2025 Chapter Award recipients. Each year the chapter recognizes volunteers and community members for outstanding service and accomplishments on behalf of Wisconsin’s environment. At a time when the journey toward a sustainable future seems daunting, it is inspiring to be reminded of all the impactful work being done, often behind the scenes, to make our world a better place. Each of these recipients is making a difference in their own, unique way. You can hear their uplifting stories during our annual, online awards event on Thursday, November 6 at 6 p.m. Register to join us here.
Congratulations to the 2025 Wisconsin Chapter Award winners:
Two nominees were selected to receive the New Activist Award which recognizes those willing to leap into new roles and champion environmental issues.
Peter Jobe is a leader within the Fox Valley Group, serving on their Executive Committee and as their delegate to the state Executive Committee. He also plans and leads outings for the Fox Valley Group, from snowshoeing to hiking and more, Peter helps connect people with nature and each other during these events. His love for our lands extends to advocacy as well, as Peter is a member of our lands team and advocates for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund.
Tracy Staedter has embraced her role on the water team and helped launch the Lunch and Learn program, which brings water-related issues to the broader Sierra Club community. She’s a strong advocate for communities facing the negative impacts of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), and has helped us find new tabling opportunities too! She also serves on the Legislative Committee, has helped make donor calls and is an at-large member of the state Executive Committee.
The Wildflower Award is given to leaders within the Sierra Club Wisconsin who exemplify all that is wonderful within the Club or the environment. The two 2025 awardees are Yvonne Besek and Noah Wong.
Yvonne Besyk is a dedicated member of our Tar Sands Team, but came to Sierra Club through the Clean Power Coalition of Southeast Wisconsin, where she helps push back against the Oak Creek Coal Plant and new We Energies gas infrastructure. On both Line 5 and clean energy issues Yvonne is always willing to take on new projects and roles, from hosting events to writing letters to the editor and speaking to the media. In every position she brings energy to our group and supports all team members.
Noah Wong joined our Tar Sands Team after stopping at a Sierra Club table at the March for Democracy in mid 2024 and has jumped into organizing ever since. From speaking at events to planning and hosting a screening of Bad River at Madison College, Noah has helped build out Line 5 organizing in the Madison area and brought new people into the movement, supporting them along the way.
Gloria Randall-Hewitt is the recipient of the 2025 Merit Award. Gloria has been engaged with the Southeast Gateway Group and recently stepped into a leadership role, helping to plan numerous events on a variety of topics. She has been an active member of the grassroots coalition we participate in to shift the Wisconsin electric sector from coal and gas to clean energy, speaking out, canvassing, and organizing with partners. In addition to working well with fellow Sierra Club members, Gloria brings Southeast Wisconsin groups together to build and leverage our power in building a clean energy future. She is also the group delegate, serving on the state Executive Committee and Finance Committee.
New in 2025, the Keystone Volunteer Award recognizes those volunteers whose efforts create the foundation that the rest of our activities are built upon. The first recipient in this new award category is Chapter Treasurer Heather Brooks. Heather started volunteering with Sierra Club as an administrative volunteer, working on data related projects and helping to organize and communicate financial transactions to the previous Treasurer, before stepping into that role herself. The Treasurer role is vital to the chapter and groups. She not only learned the ins and outs of club finances but found ways to improve our local processes. Without a solid fiscal foundation, none of our outward facing issue work would be possible.
The Community Steward Award is given to organizations and individuals external to the club who are championing innovative programs or processes that protect the environment. Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Area has sustainability practices embedded in all of their programs.Their inspiring Renew the Block program will transform a portion of the Logan Northside Neighborhood into a sustainable oasis.This innovative project will not only improve the lives of the people on the block, help the community be better prepared for extreme weather events, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it is providing a model for other communities to follow.
Kathy Kuntz, Director of the Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change, will receive the Torchbearer Award for her efforts to consistently promote practices that protect the environment. Kathy has a proven record of helping businesses and individuals make sustainable choices. She was the driving force behind the development of the 2020 Climate Action Plan and countless other initiatives.
Monny and Jo Hjerstedt will receive the 2025 JJ and Pat Werner Award. Named for two of the founding leaders of the Sierra Club in Wisconsin, this is the chapter’s highest honor and is given to those who have shown a commitment to the goals and mission of the organization through the years. Monny and Jo have been leaders within the Fox Valley Group since 1982, holding multiple roles that have contributed to the health and continuity of the Fox Valley Group. Monny is the newsletter editor and outings chair for the group. In addition to leading outings, he works behind the scenes to keep the group’s programs thriving by managing the online promotion and registration pages. Jo fills the role of hospitality chair, creating a welcoming and comfortable environment, and is always willing to step up and help out wherever needed. They have worked to control invasive garlic mustard in the community by leading service trips and have passed their passion for nature on to their children and grandchildren, as well as countless others that they have interacted with throughout the years.
Join us to celebrate!
When: Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 6 p.m.
Where: Online