Southeast Wisconsin Community Members Earn Invasive Species Action Award

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) congratulates the 2025 Invasive Species Action Awards winners from Northeast Wisconsin, presented by the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council during Invasive Species Action Month.

Invasive plants can cause unsightly and costly problems for forests, parks, trails and even individual landowners. Once given a foothold, these hardy, fast-growing species can take over an area, crowding out and replacing native plants and upsetting the natural balance of habitat for plants and wildlife.

However, there are individuals all over Wisconsin who dedicate time, money and effort to fighting invasive species. It can be long, solitary and often thankless work, and these individuals deserve recognition.

The 2025 Invasive Species Action Award honorees from southeast Wisconsin include:

• Bob Housey of Greendale. Affectionately dubbed “Buckthorn Bob,” Housey has been a volunteer with Milwaukee County Parks for nearly 15 years. He has donated almost 1,000 hours on 15 acres at Wehr Nature Center alone. In addition, Housey’s joyful demeanor is an asset when he helps out at youth programs focused on getting kids involved in invasive species management.
• Mike Grisar of Milwaukee. As an employee of WEC Energy Group, Grisar has overseen many hydroelectric projects on Wisconsin waters. He applies his knowledge of invasive species by providing guidance on proposals, assisting with fieldwork and taking time to educate those around him.
• Patrick Siwula of Plymouth. As a Regional Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, Siwula has overseen early detection and rapid response efforts on high-profile invasive species. For example, when starry stonewort (prohibited in Wisconsin) was found in several inland lakes, Patrick guided lake associations through effective response efforts and innovative monitoring protocols. The data gathered from these efforts have gone on to be used in scientific literature.
• Steve Klock of Plymouth. Klock began working for the DNR, but even after his retirement, his work continued. Since 2011, he has educated local schools, youth camps, landowners, nonprofits and others on invasive species. Klock is known as a local expert and as someone who is always willing to roll up his sleeves and lend a hand.

This year, 16 individuals and one group were honored with Invasive Species Action Awards across the state. These honorees have been invited to Wisconsin’s 21st annual Invasive Species Action Awards event, a ceremony set for Wednesday, June 4, at the Wisconsin Cranberry Research Station in Black River Falls.

Each winner will receive a plaque and a thank-you from the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council. DNR Secretary’s Director for Western Wisconsin Jill Schoen will also be there to recognize the impacts of invasive species control and acknowledge all the outstanding work being done on this critical issue.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.