2026
Wisconsin Outdoor Communicators Association
Trees for Tomorrow, Eagle River, July 31- August 1, 2026
July 31, 2026
WOCA members celebrated the 50th anniversary year of the Wisconsin Outdoor Communicators Association with a robust turnout and dinner setup by Ron Weber. Not to be deterred by a little rain, Ron set us up in Trees’ new outdoor pavilion. Ron’s wife provided homemade dessert and Jim Bishop helped with setup.
Joining us Friday was this year’s WOCA/OHEC Scholarship Winner, Evan Casper:
“I am attending the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, where I’m majoring in Hydrology. I plan to graduate in the spring of 2027, and look forward to applying the knowledge and skills I have gained in the classroom to a career in natural resource conservation. In my free time, I enjoy carving wooden duck decoys, hunting, fishing, and spending time with my American Water Spaniel, Finn. Waterfowl hunting is my favorite outdoor activity, and there is nothing more rewarding than harvesting birds over decoys I carved by hand. One of my favorite volunteer opportunities each year is the Waterfowl Expo in Oshkosh, where I help with the Youth Zone and assist with the decoy-carving contest. I enjoy sharing my passion for waterfowl conservation, hunting, and decoy carving with the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts.”
ADD Photo
Speakers as noted in the attachment followed in the education building.
Minutes from 2026 WOCA Business Meeting, August 1, 2026
A broad range of speakers as noted in the attachment were heard, including a presentation by UW Professor Sissel Schroeder on ancient dugout canoes found in Lake Mendota. It was WOCA’s first Zoom presentation and the medium promises use at future meetings.
Treasurer Laurel Steffes indicated the treasury was in solid shape with an estimated $5,466, once expected accounts receivable are paid. The annual silent auction to raise money for the WOCA/OHEC Scholarship was held. Nearly $1,400 was raised and will increase the treasury balance. Continued thanks to Jenny Sereno for very generous contributions to the treasury, which has allowed the treasury to recover. Sereno was voted a lifetime WOCA member as sincere thanks from the group. Sincere thanks to Tom Luba and Kevin Naze (both agreed to continue working on donations for the coming year) for raising donations for the auction.) Other members have generously rounded up fees and offered donations as well.
Patrick Durkin indicated he won’t be available to set up the auction next year. Kevin Naze said he would step up and Jim Bishop volunteered to help, as did Tom Luba.
Mark LaBarbera confirmed the Outdoor Heritage Center will continue to help fund and publicize the scholarship, and is open to increasing its contribution.
The WOCA/OHEC Scholarship has been active since 2018, and has helped pay the educational expenses of nine college students from multiple Wisconsin colleges and universities who are interested in sharing information about Wisconsin’s outdoors. It is WOCA and OHEC’s investment to ensure the next generation of outdoor communicators.
Retiring President Patrick Durkin convened the WOCA business meeting at 4:45 p.m.
Durkin, who has served as organizational president since 2011, indicated a recent medical scare and desire for free time prompted his decision. He expressed gratitude for the honor of being president, and noted it was a sometimes trying, but rewarding gig. He received a round of applause.
Discussion followed on who would serve as officers in the coming year. Bob Haase (unable to attend this year) was assumed to continue as vice-president. Laurel Steffes agreed to another year as secretary-treasurer. Scholarship committee members agreed to continue (Dave Zeug; Art Barlow, Laurel Steffes.) Mark LaBarbera suggested Ruth Lee at the Outdoor Heritage Education Center may be available to help the committee. No changes were made in the Board of Directors.
Nominations were opened for president. Members unanimously elected Ron Weber as WOCA’s new president.
Once again, the management team refused honorariums for their work.
Several comments were made complimenting this year’s speakers. Art Barlow reports that by Monday following the workshop he is already working with locals to bring Access Ability Wisconsin to his county. Other members commented they would pursue articles related to presentations.
Members then held a discussion on WOCA’s future, value and format.
Dave Zeug asked what members see as the ongoing purpose of the group.
Tim Eisele said not only did WOCA provide useful article fodder but it reinforced colleague relationships, important as newspapers face challenges and outdoor news continues to face competition from online and other venues.
Paul Smith said he believes there is a general will to continue WOCA.
Patrick Durkin noted that looking around the membership, it is decidedly older. Laurel Steffes noted that scholarships, while important to encourage outdoor communication, have not yielded younger members as hoped.
The group decided to continue as noted. Perhaps looking at officers moving from VP to president each year.
2027 WORKSHOP: July 30-31 has been reserved for the 2027 workshop at Trees for Tomorrow. Trees was again selected as in previous years moving the meeting around to different locations in the state proved complicated and costly, and did not appreciably increase attendance. Trees has also been very accommodating and tried to keep prices stable. WOCA members filled two complete dorms this year.
Tim Eisele shared photos and a special anniversary cake to mark WOCA’s 50th anniversary. Tim was among the founding members. (picture?)
Door prizes were distributed. The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: Laurel Steffes, Secretary-Treasurer
Announcements
Nineteen folks attended the 2025 workshop, a cookout was honchoed by chefs Ron Weber and Bob Haase, and members enjoyed a wide range of speakers on ice fishing, public forests, the glowing success of wild turkeys reintroduced in Wisconsin, the world’s largest musky shop, wildlife rehabilitation, CWD spread, tick borne disease, trends among deer hunters, and more.
A last minute freeze on travel at DNR sent Pat Durkin scrambling to fill three presentations – but through creative use of local and vacationing DNR staff and university personnel, great substitutes saved the day.
The annual auction to fund WOCA and OHEC’s scholarship for a budding outdoor communicator netted $1,740. That with a second $1,000 contribution from WOCA member Jennie Sereno and her husband, and a continued $500 commitment from OHEC, our scholarship program is in great shape for 2026.
Just a reminder to members who won auctions, a note to the donor works wonders and motivates them to continue support next year, and it’s the nice thing to do. Just indicate you won their donation in an auction, you will use it and display it with pride, and all the proceeds from the auction of their donation go to fund a scholarship for a budding outdoor communicator, assuring a solid future for outdoor recreation. Special thanks to Tom Luba for contacting fishing suppliers and yielding an excellent assortment of prizes.
Minutes
Submitted by Secretary-Treasurer Laurel Steffes
President Pat Durkin opened the business meeting commenting on the relatively low attendance at this year’s conference. Down to 19 from well more than 30 members a few years ago. Many regulars were absent. It was agreed the conference will be held as usual in 2026, but if lackluster attendance continues, a serious conversation on the future of the organization is needed.
The 2025 WOCA/OHEC scholarship winner, Matthew Crawford, a junior in communication at UW-La
Crosse but transferring to UW-Oshkosh for his senior year, presented information about his Facebook,
Instagram and blogs aimed at promoting fishing in Wisconsin. He provides concrete information on
where fish are being caught, at what depth and with what bait, in hopes of increasing angler satisfaction. En route to the WOCA meeting, he launched his kayak on a small lake and managed to land a 45” musky (catch and release), and wowed attendees with the video. Matthew shows promise to be a successful outdoor writer and active WOCA member.
As part of the scholarship presentation, Laurel Steffes announced that, once again, WOCA member Jennie Sereno and her husband Dave, donated $1,000 to the WOCA/OHEC scholarship fund. It was moved and unanimously approved that Jennie be made a lifetime WOCA member and a message of sincere gratitude be sent. Such support of our scholarship is incredible.
Current scholarship committee members are Art Barlow, Dave Zeug and Laurel Steffes. 2024 WOCA minutes were reviewed and approved. Members asked about the treasury, and Steffes indicated that once the workshop bills were in, and accounts payable were settled, accounting would be provided.
Tim Eisele moved, and it was unanimously approved to send a $250 donation in memory of long time
WOCA member and former WOCA President Roger Sabota to Trees for Tomorrow, our excellent host. Eisele also moved and it was unanimously approved that WOCA send a $250 donation to the Wild Instincts Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. (Secretary note; this has been completed.) in support of its important work. Owner/co-founder Mark Naniot provided an excellent presentation on the center’s work.
Anticipated Payables in early 2026–
Balance of Trees billing $1200
Conservation Hall of Fame dues $300
2026 Trees Deposit $500 plus estimated $2,000 in 2026 fees
2026 Scholarship and related payables $1500 plus workshop expenses $300 ($500 from OHEC to be
received)
Postage, Web Maintenance and hosting, domain fee, stationary $400-500
NOTE: Honorariums were refused by all three officers to boost the treasury
Pat Durkin, President and annual meeting organization
Bob Haase, Vice President
Laurel Steffes, Secretary-Treasurer
Prize chair, Kevin Naze
Board of Directors: Art Barlow, Dave Zeug, Lisa Gaumnitz, Ed Culhane, Dave Clausen, Mark Horn, Dan Small, Ron Weber, and officers Pat Durkin, Robert Haase and Laurel Steffes
Pat Durkin indicated that a newsletter editor was needed and is working on the issue.
Election: The current slate of officers was reelected unanimously.
Dates for the 2026 conference at Trees for Tomorrow in Eagle River: July 31 and August 1.