If you know Mark Martin and Sue Foote-Martin, you know they live, breathe, talk, and dream about conservation. Independently, their careers have made a huge difference in how Wisconsin values and manages natural resources. And together, their impact as long-time Goose Pond Sanctuary managers is almost immeasurable. Almost.
This past Wednesday, we joined Gathering Waters and the conservation community in celebrating Mark and Sue, recipients of the 2021 Harold "Bud" Jordahl Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratulations to Mark and Sue!
The photo collection above captures a few moments from just the past few years. Mark and Sue have been working in the conservation field for decades and made an incredible impact. Photos by Alrene Koziol
Susan Foote-Martin and Mark Martin — Winners of the 2021 Harold "Bud" Jordahl Lifetime Achievement Award
(See Gathering Waters’ article about it here!) Susan Foote-Martin and Mark Martin of Arlington are lifelong conservationists whose passion has impacted all corners of Wisconsin. They are dedicated to protecting land and water to ensure a healthy, resilient future for plants, animals, and citizens of Wisconsin.
Susan began her career at the WDNR’s MacKenzie Environmental Education Center as education director. She also worked for WDNR’s Bureau of Endangered Resources as a Conservation Biologist, developed the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail, and assisted with design and development of five new Endangered Resource license plates until her retirement in 2009.
Mark spent his career with WDNR, beginning as a Wildlife Technician in 1971 and eventually working as a Conservation Biologist with the Bureau of Endangered Resource’s State Natural Areas program through 2011.
Throughout their professional careers, Susan and Mark showed leadership in many other roles, including serving as resident managers of Madison Audubon’s Goose Pond Sanctuary since 1979. With Madison Audubon, they’ve worked to preserve 2,700 acres across south- central Wisconsin, writing grants and coordinating with major donors to raise millions of dollars. Susan and Mark have interacted with myriad visitors, mentored hundreds of students and volunteers, tagged thousands of monarchs, banded countless birds, and written more than one can imagine, all in the name of conservation and love of the land.
