It was an excellent evening for Wisconsin's conservation leaders to come together and celebrate each others' successes. Photo by Althea Dotzour Photography.

Over 250 people from all over the state attended this year's event. Photo by Althea Dotzour Photography.

Savory hors d'oeuvres and decadent desserts were enjoyed by guests throughout the evening. Photo by Althea Dotzour Photography.

Guests bid on items in the silent auction throughout the event. Attendees took home some great items and all proceeds benefited Gathering Waters. Photo by Althea Dotzour Photography.

The River Revitalization Foundation had staff and board on hand to accept their award for Land Trust of the Year. RRF has increased public access to Milwaukee’s rivers and enhanced the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Its partnerships throughout the community provide opportunities for immersion into the natural world, educate about conservation in an urban setting, and illustrate the synergy between land conservation and urban development. Photo by Althea Dotzour Photography.

Gathering Waters’ Executive Director, Mike Strigel and GWC President, Rita Hayen, present the 2012 Policy Maker of the Year Award to John Koepke. John, a member of the DATCP board, as well as the PACE Council, has championed efforts to promote and defend the Wisconsin Working Lands Initiative. His committed actions and voice as a farmer from Oconomowoc have proved invaluable to farmland protection in Wisconsin. Photo by Althea Dotzour Photography.

Dale Katsma was the recipient of this year's Rod Nilsestuen Award for Working Lands Preservation. Dale, DNR Area Wildlife Supervisor in Plymouth, has spent the last decade quietly and successfully pioneering working lands preservation. His efforts to build relationships and trust between the DNR, landowners, and other conservation groups have played a pivotal role in the protection of 1,887 acres of farmland and 684 acres of wildlife habitat & natural areas in southeastern Wisconsin. Photo by Althea Dotzour Photography.

2012 Conservationist of the Year, Ellen Kwiatkowski, is the Executive Director of Bayfield Regional Conservancy, a valuable asset to the state’s PACE Council, chair of Wisconsin’s Land Trust Council, and co-owner of an easement-protected farm. She has been an essential player in the permanent protection of over 1000 acres of land throughout northern Wisconsin and in successfully leading BRC through the national land trust accreditation process. Photo by Althea Dotzour Photography.

The Ridges Sanctuary, winner of the 2012 Harold “Bud” Jordahl Land Trust Pioneer Award, celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and was the first land trust in Wisconsin. Inspiring stewardship of natural areas through educational programs, outreach and research, The Ridges can undoubtedly be credited for positively impacting the history of land conservation throughout the state and laying groundwork for future conservation efforts throughout the Door Peninsula and beyond. Photo by Althea Dotzour Photography.

From all of us at Gathering Waters: Thank you to everyone for making this year's celebration a success! We hope that you will join us next year on Sept. 26, 2013 to honor next year's deserving recipients.