In a move that celebrates the merging of youthful vigor with environmental stewardship, the Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC), in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), has honored Tommy Burr, a high school junior from Eagle River, with the inaugural Youth Conservation Congress (YCC) Delegate of the Year Award. This accolade comes as a nod to Burr's unwavering commitment to preserving the natural splendor of Wisconsin's outdoor heritage, a cause the WCC has upheld as part of an effort to recognize leadership that will propel the state's conservation legacy into future hands.
Described as an ardent participant since 2019 Burr, who attends Northern Pines High School, was introduced to the YCC by Jim and Carol Heffner – the latter a current WCC delegate. According to a press release by the Wisconsin DNR, Burr has thrown himself into a myriad of YCC activities, showcasing a leadership style that has bloomed into respect among his peers, advocating for the very essence of outdoor camaraderie and conservation with his actions and smiling leadership, and Burr's influence even saw his family rejigger their summer vacation to ensure his participation in the YCC Summer Program.
The YCC isn't just another extracurricular notch on Burr's belt. His involvement seems to be deeply personal, exemplifying his belief in respecting nature, as he echoed in a statement on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website, "The YCC has been an amazing experience for me. It has taught me more about Wisconsin's natural resources and, most importantly, how to respect and use them wisely," demonstrating not merely a pursuit of knowledge but a profound homage to the environment he aims to protect. In the 2024 YCC Summer Program, Burr upped the ante by introducing his peers to the nuances of Wisconsin's outdoor life, bringing his boat for shared fishing excursions on Lake Tomahawk.
Beyond leading these aquatic explorations, Burr's engagement in the state's treasured lake sturgeon spearing season has become synonymous with his family's legacy. In this year's season, Burr sought the perspective of a fisheries biologist, dedicating a day to work at a sturgeon registration station. Beyond his fieldwork measuring, weighing, and collecting data from harvested sturgeon, Burr embraced the role of an ambassador for conservation as he, "especially enjoyed interacting with the public, learning about their spearing experiences and furthering his understanding of conservation efforts surrounding the species," according to the same Wisconsin DNR release. It's these stripes of initiative and a hands-on approach to conservation that have set Burr apart as a paragon of environmental enthusiasm.
About the YCC program itself, it serves as a platform encouraging the personal and professional growth of Wisconsin's youthful conservationists. It integrates a gamut of opportunities ranging from hands-on conservation activities to mentored hunting and fishing, enhanced with educational experiences that are tailored to instill not only knowledge but a sense of custodianship over Wisconsin's natural bounty. For more information on the YCC and its initiatives, those interested can visit the Wisconsin DNR website.
