The 2022 Invader Crusader Awards were presented to eight extraordinary recipients on June 7 at the Schmeeckle Reserve on the campus of UW-Stevens Point. These awards are an annual recognition by the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council for exceptional dedication to fighting invasive plants and animals.

We are happy to share that Friends of Lapham Peak Unit, Kettle Moraine State Forest, Inc. was selected as a winner in the Professional Group Category. The Friends of Lapham Peak provide opportunities for volunteers year-round to control and manage a wide variety of invasives from the property. In 2021, they burned more than 15,000 cubic feet of brush, restored prairies and raised funds for continued stewardship. Their activities have helped rare insects and monarch butterflies and provided opportunities for many regional students.