{"id":37649,"date":"2026-01-16T16:00:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T22:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/?p=37649"},"modified":"2026-01-16T16:38:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T22:38:21","slug":"nrf-at-age-40-a-living-legacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/nrf-at-age-40-a-living-legacy\/","title":{"rendered":"NRF at Age 40: A Living Legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

A former attorney and senior manager for the Wisconsin DNR, Linda Bochert worked directly with NRF\u2019s co-founders during the 1980\u2019s when NRF was born. As the organization celebrates its 40th anniversary, Linda reflects on its impact over the years.<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Setting the stage<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

I started my career at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in 1974 as the second woman attorney ever hired by the agency. At the time, I recall one colleague saying to me, \u201cYou got the girl lawyer\u2019s job!\u201d Today, about half of the DNR’s legal staff are women.<\/p>\n

After a stint leading the Environmental Protection Unit at the Department of Justice, I returned to DNR in 1980, in a senior management leadership role as the #3 person in the agency, part of the Secretary\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n

During my time in that role, I watched the birth of NRF as an organization. 40 years later, I see NRF as the living legacy of its four visionary leaders: C.D. \u201cBuzz\u201d Besadny, Bruce Braun, Ron Semmann and Marty Henert.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Buzz-Besadny-courtesy-of-NRF.jpg” alt=”man standing on a bridge surrounded by trees” title_text=”Buzz Besadny Courtesy Of NRF” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

C.D. “Buzz” Besadny standing on a bridge surrounded by trees.<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

NRF’s founding<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Buzz Besadny was Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources from 1980 to 1993, having risen from the ranks of field staff to the department\u2019s top job. Not unlike today, this was a time when legislative support for public land purchases and maintenance was in decline. Buzz directed a key member of his management team \u2013 Office of Planning & Analysis Administrator Ron Semmann \u2013 to seek sources of alternative funding. Ron identified the potential for a private non-profit foundation to be that alternative funding source, a sort of \u201cfriends group\u201d to the DNR.<\/p>\n

Working with DNR Deputy Secretary Bruce Braun, Ron got the idea vetted, authorized, and created. Marty Henert came on board as Ron\u2019s Assistant Administrator to lead the effort of raising the funds that this new organization would need to operate. In September 1986, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin was born, and the Board of Directors held their first meeting.<\/p>\n

That was 40 years ago. To put 40 years into some sort of perspective, in 1986 I was the mother of a 2-year-old. Today I am a grandma.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t until 2004 when I joined the NRF Board that I became actively involved in the work of this amazing organization.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.wisconservation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Trumpeter-Swans-by-Lindsey-Broadhead.jpg” alt=”two trumpeter swans taking flight” title_text=”Trumpeter Swans By Lindsey Broadhead” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

The Foundation’s flagship project was supporting the Trumpeter Swan Recovery Program. Once nearly extinct, today over 11,000 swans grace Wisconsin’s skies. Photo by Lindsey Broadhead<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

The first 40 years<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Here are some of my favorite highlights from NRF\u2019s first 40 years:<\/p>\n