Oneida County’s Stephanie Boismenue receives Invasive Species Action Award

ONEIDA COUNTY – On Wednesday, June 4, Stephanie Boismenue, Invasive Species Coordinator and Conservation Technician for the Oneida County Land and Water Conservation Department, was awarded the Invasive Species Action Award by the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council.

The award was presented at a special recognition ceremony as part of June’s Invasive Species Action Month.

The awards are given to Wisconsin citizens and organizations for their significant contributions to the prevention or eradication of invasive species that harm Wisconsin’s waters and lands.

In all, the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council recognized 16 individuals from around the state with individual awards in the categories of Professional Individual, Volunteer Individual and Special Recognition.

A release from the Oneida County Land and Water Conservation Department said Boismenue’s exceptional leadership, dedication and passion for protecting the waters of Oneida County from aquatic invasive species (AIS) is evident.

“She works with lake associations throughout Oneida County and successfully hosts programs such as AIS Snapshot Day, CBCW Trainings, AIS ID and monitoring workshops, not to mention frequent guest presentations in classrooms, association meetings and statewide conferences,” the department stated. “Her enthusiasm is infectious, and she builds partnerships across counties, regions and the state.”  

Last year, Boismenue and her team trained 180 volunteers, monitored 32 water bodies, reared and released 12,280 purple loosestrife biocontrol beetles and engaged with 5,418 people at boat landings, according to the department.

“(Boismenue’s) ability to communicate openly with her staff, inspire them and help them develop their own skills creates a supportive and motivated team atmosphere,” the department said. “Her commitment to her job makes her an invaluable asset to the Land and Water Conservation Department and Oneida County.”

The council, formed in 2002 when state agencies joined with private partners, makes recommendations to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regarding classifying invasive species in Wisconsin’s Invasive Species Rule – ch. NR 40. The council also provides education, research, regulation and interagency coordination on invasive species.