Bob Freckmann to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award from Gathering Waters

We are thrilled to share that Gathering Waters recently announced the 2024 Land Conservation Leadership Awards and Dr. Robert (Bob) Freckmann has been named as the recipient of this year’s Harold “Bud” Jordahl Lifetime Achievement Award! Congratulations to Bob on this incredibly deserving award!!  

Bob’s contributions to conservation in Wisconsin are extensive. As an integral member of the North Central Conservancy Trust (NCCT) since the 1990s, Bob has helped numerous residents in central Wisconsin respond to concerns over threats to natural areas. Bob’s expertise and ongoing support has helped NCCT expand and grow to now serve eight counties, currently holding more than 60 conservation easements that permanently protect over 5,000 acres of land in central Wisconsin. Bob has been involved in nearly all of these transactions. He has served on various boards and committees and continues to work with landowners who wish to protect their land.

In 2010, Bob and his late wife Sally donated a conservation easement to NCCT on their 32-acre property on the west side of Stevens Point. The land features both native and unlikely trees, shrubs, and plants from around the world, and serves as an outdoor teaching classroom for students.

In addition to his work with NCCT, Bob had a 30+ year career at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Although he has been officially retired for many years, he still frequents his desk at the second-largest herbarium in Wisconsin, a collection of 230,000 plants that he started in 1968, now appropriately known as The Freckmann Herbarium. Bob’s other talents and interests include designing and building his own home, and a deep knowledge and love of trains and classical music.

NCCT nominated Bob for the award, and letters of support were provided by Alan Haney, Dave Hillier, and John & Craig Shillinglaw. Bob is still an active member of NCCT, currently serving on the Properties Committee, leading interpretive hikes, and meeting with landowners to evaluate new conservation easement projects. He also continues to serve on the City of Stevens Point Parks Board in addition to serving as trip leader, member, and trusted advisor for countless conservation organizations locally and regionally.  

Please join us on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 in Stevens Point, WI for an award ceremony and celebration. Gathering Waters will present the award along with NCCT and fellow community members.