A former attorney and senior manager for the Wisconsin DNR, Linda Bochert worked directly with NRF’s co-founders during the 1980’s when NRF was born. As the organization celebrates its 40th anniversary, Linda reflects on its impact over the years.
Setting the stage
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, “You got the girl lawyer’s job!” Today, about half of the DNR’s legal staff are women.
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’s Office.
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. “Buzz” Besadny, Bruce Braun, Ron Semmann and Marty Henert.
C.D. “Buzz” Besadny standing on a bridge surrounded by trees.
NRF’s founding
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’s 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 – Office of Planning & Analysis Administrator Ron Semmann – 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 “friends group” to the DNR.
Working with DNR Deputy Secretary Bruce Braun, Ron got the idea vetted, authorized, and created. Marty Henert came on board as Ron’s 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.
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.
It wasn’t until 2004 when I joined the NRF Board that I became actively involved in the work of this amazing organization.
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
The first 40 years
Here are some of my favorite highlights from NRF’s first 40 years:
- NRF has conducted 3,380 Field Trips in Wisconsin plus many international trips.
- NRF has given over $5.3 million to wildlife conservation projects.
- The Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund has raised over $3 million for habitat management in our state’s public lands.
- NRF’s Conservation Endowment Program has grown to over $16 million.
- NRF has grown to have a $2.3 million budget with a supporter base of over 5,000 people.
- The Great Wisconsin Birdathon has recruited thousands of birders to raise nearly $1.2 million for bird conservation in the 15 years since it started.
- The Diversity in Conservation Internship program has introduced 30 college students to conservation careers.
- In 2025, NRF granted over $1,000,000 to support conservation and environmental education projects across the state.
During those decades, NRF has grown well beyond the original vision of supporting the DNR to a broader vision of flourishing ecosystems in which all people are connected with nature.
1986 Mission Statement:
To raise funds and provide grants to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and other natural resources support entities and to preserve, protect and enhance the natural resources of the state of Wisconsin.
2026 Mission and Vision Statements:
Our Mission
To protect our state’s lands, waters, and wildlife by providing funding, leading partnerships, and connecting all people with nature.
Our Vision
Wisconsin’s flourishing ecosystems are protected, sustained, and cherished by diverse communities.
Rush Creek State Natural Area holds a special place in our hearts as one of the Foundation’s first conservation sites and one of the first trips offered through our Field Trip program. We continue to support the restoration of this high-quality landscape and offer Field Trips here today. Photo by Ben Albert
The legacy of our founders
During those 40 years, NRF has continued to benefit from the inspiration and leadership of Buzz, Bruce, Ron and Marty. Ron and Marty each served as NRF’s Executive Director and Bruce, Ron and Marty all served as NRF Board Chair and Board members. Collectively, they dedicated decades of their time and talent to lead this organization from infancy to adulthood. A living legacy today and into the future.
As we enter 2026, there are now a number of ways you might think about the NRF. Have you been on a Field Trip? Do you hold an endowment? Have you received a small grant for your local friends group project? Have you contributed to the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund when you bought an outdoor sports license? Or participated in the Great Wisconsin Birdathon? Or know a Diversity in Conservation Intern? All are ways people connect with nature through NRF.
And while I recently retired from the NRF Board, my support will continue. I consider myself blessed to have had the privilege of knowing and working with NRF’s four visionary founders and a great many others in and out of DNR and NRF in support of Wisconsin’s natural resources.
The mighty bur oak, shown here on a scenic Wisconsin hillside, supports a plethora of Wisconsin wildlife. Photo by Benjamin Clark Bomkamp
Honoring Bruce Braun
In December 2025, NRF board dedicated a young bur oak tree to our wonderful friend, colleague, and co-founder Bruce Braun. The sapling will be planted at Governor Nelson State Park in spring 2026 when the ground thaws. Bruce, who sadly passed away from cancer in December 2025, has stood like a mighty bur oak over the organization since it began. Now, thanks to 40 years of solid growth under his protection, the organization has strong roots. We thank him and honor him for his role in the organization’s founding, and for watching over it with care as a board member, supporter, and friend as well. Thank you Bruce.
Written by Linda Bochert, former member of NRF’s Board of Directors