Shanda Hubertus has been recognized for achievement in environmental conservation.
Hubertus has served as president of the Waterways Association of Menominee and Shawano Counties (WAMSCO) since 2014, having been a founding member of the organization. In this leadership role, she oversees daily operations, coordinates communications, and supervises a staff of four and an intermittent intern.
Her responsibilities include managing grant applications and reimbursement documentation, donated equipment, and volunteer waivers; coordinating educational outreach programs; overseeing WAMSCO’s mobile education trailer; cultivating and donating tens of thousands of native plants annually for restoration initiatives; and coordinating shoreline and seawall restoration projects. Her work reflects extensive experience in watershed conservation, water quality monitoring, native habitat restoration, and environmental education.
Under her leadership, WAMSCO has received multiple state and international honors, including the Wisconsin Lakes Stewardship Award for Excellence in Public Education and the North American Lake Management Society’s Leadership and Service Award for Community Education and Outreach in 2025. She has also received recognition from the Shawano County Land Conservation Department and other organizations for her contributions to conservation and education.
However, her most rewarding accomplishments have been witnessing a shift in landowners’ attitudes toward conservation and helping them implement best management practices on their properties. Looking ahead, she hopes to expand unrestricted funding to support larger grant-funded projects without requiring landowners to pay costs upfront, while helping WAMSCO acquire its own property and building and preserve its grassroots approach.
Hubertus’ commitment to service is rooted in her early life experiences. Raised on an 88-acre lake in Wisconsin, she developed a lasting connection to water and natural resources. Growing up in a family that adopted eight children with disabilities also exposed her to healthcare and nursing from an early age, helping shape her professional interests and dedication to caring for others.
She earned an Associate Degree in Nursing, demonstrating remarkable perseverance throughout her education. Despite being advised not to return to nursing school while facing mobility challenges that required her to use a wheelchair for five years, she persisted until graduation. This same determination carried over into her environmental work, particularly when she faced discouragement in securing funding and developing an educational program for WAMSCO. Her ability to overcome obstacles has been central to her leadership and success across both professions.
