Conservationists HOF inductees revealed, reward launched in vandalism case: Latest Manitowoc outdoors news

Conservationists HOF inductees revealed, reward launched in vandalism case: Latest Manitowoc outdoors news

The Manitowoc Salmon Derby, Van der Brohe Arboretum and Izaak Walton League vandalism are also in the news this week.

Bob Schuh
Special to Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Maribel Sportsman’s Club had three people receiving awards at the Manitowoc County Conservationists Hall of Fame Banquet June 18, 2025, at Maribel Sportsman’s Club. Pictured from left: Suzette Gove, Special Achievement Award; Chuck Stenzel, Hall of Fame enshrine; and Judy Yanda, Special Achievement Award.

  • Manitowoc County Conservationists inducted four members into its Hall of Fame and presented special achievement awards to five individuals.
  • The 50th annual NEWGLSF Salmon Derby will be held in Manitowoc July 4-6, featuring a Super Tournament, Kids’ Derby and live music.
  • Van der Brohe Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary in Two Rivers announced a leadership transition, with John Durbrow stepping down and Lyssa Schmidt appointed as the new executive director.
  • A reward fund is growing for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for vandalizing the Izaak Walton League forest along the West Twin River.

Manitowoc County Conservationists held its 2025 Hall of Fame Banquet June 18 at the Maribel Sportsmen’s Club. The following were enshrined:

  • Dan Dufek, sponsored by Larrabee Sportsmans Club;
  • Bob Mehorczyk, sponsored by Francis Creek Sportsman’s Club;
  • Bill Peroutka, sponsored by Manitowoc City Unit of Fish & Game; and
  • Chuck Stenzel, sponsored by Maribel Sportsmen’s Club.
Pictured from left: Larry Bonde, Hall of Fame emcee, presents Bill Peroutka, sponsored by the City Unit of Manitowoc County Fish & Game, with his Hall of Fame enshrinee award.

Pictured from left: Larry Bonde, Manitowoc County Conservationists Hall of Fame emcee, presents Dan Dufek of the Larrabee Sportsmans Club with his 2025 Hall of Fame enshrinee award.

The following earned special achievement awards:

  • Gerald “Bullet” Fischer, sponsored by District 8 of the Wisconsin Trappers’ Association;
  • Suzette Gove, sponsored by Maribel Sportsmen’s Club;
  • Jay Ney, sponsored by Francis Creek Sportsman’s Club;
  • Paul Tittl, sponsored by Manitowoc City Unit of Fish & Game; and
  • Judy Yanda, sponsored by Maribel Sportsmen’s Club.

I will have more on this banquet in next week’s column.

Pictured from left: Larry Bonde, Manitowoc County Conservationists Hall of Fame emcee, presents Bob Mehorczyk with his Hall of Fame enshrinee award, sponsored by the Francis Creek Sportsman’s Club.

NEWGLSF Salmon Derby returns July 4-6

The 50th annual Northeastern Wisconsin Great Lakes Sport Fishermen Salmon Derby will be at the Manitowoc Marina July 4-6.

Tickets are available in Manitowoc at Manitowoc Marina and Popp’s Harbor Town Citgo; in Two Rivers at Seagull Marina and Klein’s Hardware Hank; in Sheboygan at The Wharf; or online at newglsf.org.

The Super Tournament will take place 5 a.m. to noon July 5.

A Free Kids’ Derby will run 8-10 a.m. July 5. Families may register children from 7 to 8 a.m. Prizes will be awarded after the derby.

Derby entertainment includes the following, by day:

  • July 4: Black Knight, 1-5 p.m.; Dave Steffen Band, 6-9:30 p.m.; and fireworks to follow;
  • July 5: Ten Strings, 1:30-5 p.m. and Conscious Pilot, 7-10:30 p.m.; and
  • July 6: Kolache Brothers, 12:30-4 p.m.

Find more at newglsf.org.

Van der Brohe Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary changes aim for ‘elevated vibrancy and a strong future’

Van der Brohe Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary, a 65-acre natural preserve and public greenspace in Two Rivers, recently announced a leadership transition, which marks a new era for the organization.

Founder and Director John Durbrow has stepped down after leading the organization through its founding and early years of visionary growth.

Under Durbrow’s leadership, the arboretum transformed from the grounds of the former Emerald Hills Golf Course into a vibrant conservation hub and civic amenity.

As part of this transition, board member Erin Gonnerman has been named chair of the board of directors and Lyssa Schmidt, a nonprofit professional with a background in strategic communications and community development, has been appointed executive director.

“The caliber of the individuals assuming enhanced responsibilities and their commitment to the missions and mandates inherent in the governance of VDBA will enhance the growth and stability of the enterprise,” a statement from Durbrow said.

“Of note, promoting Lyssa, a resident of Little Chute, to the role of executive director will imbue the organization with a regional focus commensurate with the range of interest in the civic amenity of the arboretum,” Durbow continued.

“The reorganized board is populated with individuals bringing a clear focus to the essential mission of VDBA. The sum of the changes portends for the arboretum an elevated vibrancy and a strong future,” Durbrow concluded.

Schmidt brings a decade of experience working with mission-driven organizations, including leadership roles in media, marketing and nonprofit development. She holds a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from UW-Eau Claire, a master’s of business administration from Florida Institute of Technology and a certificate in nonprofit leadership management. She is the founder of a small business that provides grant-writing services to small and early-stage nonprofits.

As executive director, Schmidt will lead efforts to expand environmental education partnerships, deepen community engagement, and secure sustainable funding for VDBA’s restoration and programming initiatives.

Gonnerman is a long-time Two Rivers resident and active community member. She formerly served as vice president of the Two Rivers City Council.

VDBA serves as both a refuge for more than 140 species of resident and migratory birds and a destination for individuals seeking connection with nature. With accessible trails, interactive installations and restored meadows, wetlands and woodlands, the arboretum offers a vital green space along the Lake Michigan flyway.

Reward fund launched for information about Izaak Walton League vandalism

Someone chopped and stripped the bark from the trees at Izaak Walton League property on the West Twin River. Trees are damaged to the point that they will for sure die.

I recently reported about vandalism at the Izaak Walton League forest along the West Twin River. This information got the hair up on many individuals’ and sportsmen’s clubs.

Don Kiel was especially upset someone would vandalize something that was being done for the public to enjoy.

A reward fund has been set up. Kiel started it out with a $2,000 pledge for the arrest and conviction of the person or people who are responsible for the damage.

People from sportsmen’s clubs told me they, too, would be bringing it to their club meetings to grow the reward fund.

Jim Schnell, of the Izaak Walton League, will be taking the pledges and reporting them to me for this column. Please email any pledges to Jim at schnelljim@yahoo.com and be sure to include from whom and/or what club you are representing.

That’s it for this week, so have fun in the great outdoors.