Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts presented Seno K/RLT Conservancy with the 2026 Land Trust Volunteer of the Year Award for former Board President Mark Lesko on Oct. 10, 2026 in Burlington.
The award was presented in memoriam after Mark’s passing earlier in 2026.
Mark had been a cornerstone of land conservation in southeast Wisconsin since the late 1990s, when he began volunteering at what would eventually become Seno K/RLT Conservancy in Burlington. Over the course of nearly three decades, he grew from a hands-on volunteer — planting trees, managing woodland habitat, controlling invasive species, and helping remodel the barn that became Seno’s learning center — to the Board President, a role he filled with the same dedication that defined his early years.
“Mark Lesko was an exemplary role model, not only for volunteering in general, but for conservation specifically,” said Paul Sloth, Seno K/RLT Conservancy’s Executive Director. “Mark’s impact on our corner of southeast Wisconsin is immeasurable, and we were fortunate to have had someone like him to guide the next generation of conservation volunteers.”
Mark served as the de facto forest manager for Seno’s 127-acre Woodland Center property and the 84-acre Drumlin farm, coordinated habitat restoration volunteers, led annual tree plantings and prescribed burns, and expanded the organization’s beloved maple sugaring educational program.
What truly set Mark apart was his ability to motivate others. He grew Seno K/RLT’s board, inspired the next generation of conservation volunteers, and helped close landmark conservation easements — including a 242-acre project with the Erickson family and a 60-acre easement with the Riley family — that enhance southeast Wisconsin’s landscape.
Mark was the steady force behind much of what the organization has achieved. His guiding adage, “when we know better, we do better,” has shaped Seno’s culture of continuous improvement and created synergy amongst numerous Seno K/RLT volunteers, from board members to buckthorn killers.
“Mark embodied the spirit of land stewardship — humble, tireless, and rooted in a genuine love for the land, and is greatly missed by those who knew him,” said Mike Carlson, Executive Director at Gathering Waters. “He leaves a lasting legacy on land conservation in southeastern Wisconsin.”
About the Land Conservation Leadership Awards: The Land Conservation Leadership Awards recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals and organizations that devote their time and talents to protecting Wisconsin’s land, water, and wildlife. The awards are presented annually by Gathering Waters to conservation leaders.
