Volunteer Spotlight: Gary Eldred

Gary Eldred is the volunteer every organization yearns to have in their membership. He has spent 50 years of his life dedicated to prairie restoration and The Prairie Enthusiasts. He was instrumental in the discovery of the organization’s first prairie (Muralt Bluff Prairie), participated in the first burn there in 1975 and several since. He is also credited with helping to find and acquire  several other prairies for the organization. To discover prairie remnants, Gary has conducted surveys in over a dozen Wisconsin counties and three counties in Iowa.

His service on the ground is legendary. He served as site steward for several prairies at one time, conducting weekly work parties with an experienced group of volunteers. He served as President of the early Southwest Prairie Enthusiasts for its first five years. When the group became The Prairie Enthusiasts in 1993, he served as the organization’s President for 10 years. He continues to serve as Emeritus on the The Prairie Enthusiasts Board and regularly attends the Southwest Wisconsin Chapter meetings, presentations and workdays.

His artwork is an accurate, beautiful representation of nature and prairie species. In 1989, his drawing of a meadowlark on a fence became the organizational logo and continues to this day. Historically his art was sold at Chapter banquets to raise funds for the work of the organization.

All this work and dedication to prairies resulted in Gary Eldred being inducted into the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame in 2021. Thomas Hunt, Southwest Wisconsin Chapter Member, describes him as “a renaissance man—artist, writer, scientist, organizer and leader.”

Gary indicates that when he had a job, it was to support his habit of discovering and preserving prairies. He has spent more hours than can be counted dedicated to prairies and The Prairie Enthusiasts. Gary Eldred is the example we can all strive to become! Thank you, Gary, for your lifelong service!