A few weeks ago, Green Bay Botanical Garden recognized some special volunteers and community partners who have gone above and beyond this past year. Each one brings a unique set of talents and passion to the Garden.

Meet this year’s recipients!

Corporate Partner: Fox Communities Credit Union

For the past three years, Fox Communities Credit Union has chosen the Garden as one of their partners and communities to give back to during their “Pay it Forward Day.”

They have helped with various gardening projects within the Garden’s grounds and most recently provided support during the Northeast Wisconsin Pollinator Corridor Project at Danz Park. Over this time, 120 employees volunteered from Fox Communities Credit Union have given 244 volunteer hours. We are so thankful for their partnership and commitment to supporting the Garden through volunteering and beyond.

Founders Award & Evergreen Award Lee Hansen

The Founders Award was created to honor a group or individual who has made a difference in helping the Garden achieve its mission. This year’s award was presented to Lee Hansen at our Annual Meeting in October.

Lee’s remarkable leadership, unwavering dedication, and decades of commitment — beginning in the 1970s and continuing today — turned the vision of a botanical garden in Green Bay into a thriving reality.

The Evergreen Award was also bestowed upon Lee in appreciation for his lasting dedication and loyalty of time. Lee has served as an American Rose Trials for Sustainability (A.R.T.S.) Judge and mentor to the Horticulture Team for many years. He consistently advocates for the Garden as an ambassador in the Rose Garden and diligently volunteering his time to care, maintain and prune those roses.

Lee is also staying connected to the Garden as his new role as Garden Historian. We are very thankful for the wisdom and knowledge that Lee will continue to provide us so we can honor our history and grow for the future. Thank you, Lee, for your vision, enduring efforts, and passion for the Garden.

Cultivating Curiosity Award: Nancy Whitfield

The Cultivating Curiosity Award celebrates those volunteers who spark wonder and learning at the Garden. Nancy Whitfield has been volunteering with the Garden since 2010.

She has been an incredible help with our youth tours during the busy spring season this past year. She always greets everyone with a warm smile and a cheerful hello. Her patience, enthusiasm, and ability to engage young learners make every tour feel special and memorable. We truly appreciate her flexibility and consistently helpful spirit whenever she volunteers — she’s a shining example of how to inspire learning through nature.

Event Excellence: Brian Joachim

The Event Excellence Award celebrates those who bring great service and structure to every event. Brian Joachim exemplifies the spirit of this: enthusiastic, dependable, and community-minded.

You’ll find him in the parking lot for summer concerts and Garden of Lights presented by WPS Foundation helping direct cars and guide pedestrians safely. We’re incredibly grateful for his time, commitment, and the positive example he sets for others!

Smiling Service: Emma Wacek

The Smiling Service Award celebrates those who create memorable, positive experiences for every visitor. Emma Wacek had been volunteering as the WPS Trellis Gift Shop Assistant for many years — keeping an eye on guests in the shop, completing their purchases, and keeping the entire area organized and neat. She has also been integral in our Admissions area during events.

This past summer, she expanded her role to take on the Guest Experience Ambassador – continuing to assist with the gift shop and admissions beyond special events, committing to shifts two times per week during the busy season.

She is a welcoming presence to our guests and gets excited to share about the items in the gift shop, help them with their purchases, welcome guests as they come in, and send them off with a smile. Her love of people and the Garden shine through her work!

Garden Steward: Don Giese

The Garden Steward Award celebrates those who care for and preserve the living beauty and infrastructure of the Garden. Don Giese truly embodies these qualities. Don has been volunteering with the Garden since day one. There is simply not a single job he can’t do.

From stringing lights to string trimming, mulching roses and mulching the trails, parking cars to planting seeds… Don is a chameleon in the workforce and is one of the absolute cornerstones to the Garden’s horticultural success.

Through rain, shine, or snow, Don brings forward his hard-working and kind spirit. Through the years, the Garden has changed, grown, and developed in many new ways, and Don has been with us through it all. We are so thankful that he has dedicated many years to helping us grow.

Shining New Star: Barb Wry

The Shining New Star Award celebrates fresh energy and outstanding contributions from a new volunteer. Barb Wry joined the Gardening Volunteer Crew this past July and has consistently volunteered on Tuesdays to assist with various tasks throughout the season.

She shows up with a smile and is ready to work! New volunteers like Barb bring fresh perspectives, enthusiasm, and a renewed sense of excitement that keeps the Garden growing strong. Each new face adds to the Garden’s spirit of community and helps carry its mission forward in meaningful ways.

In a few short months, Barb has become a dedicated part of the Garden family, and we are very grateful she has chosen this community place to volunteer.

Blooming Ambassador: Sophia Wozniak

The Blooming Ambassador Award celebrates young volunteers who bring passion and promise to the Garden’s future. Sophia Wozniak has joined the Horticulture Team for two summers now, volunteering her time with the Gardening Crew.

Her positive attitude and interest in learning make her a delight to work with. She shows up to every shift with a smile and doesn’t complain too much when asked to pull more weeds. Her dedication and enthusiasm for the work she does make her a true role model for others her age. We are so thankful for the time she has spent with us and the work she has contributed.

Sunshine Spirit: Nan Pahl

The Sunshine Spirit Award celebrates those who bring positivity and warmth to the work they do, no matter the task. Nan Pahl has been volunteering with the Garden since 2023, and she has made such an impact in that time. Her dedication, versatility, and warm presence make her an indispensable part of every event she supports.

Whether she’s greeting wedding guests at the donor gate with a welcoming smile, scanning tickets for events, or reading books for story time, her positive nature shines. Nan is also willing to learn new roles to support, in her words, “whatever the Garden needs,” which has been so helpful during busy events or summer youth camps. Nan doesn’t just show up — she shows up with heart, and that’s what makes her truly exceptional.

Busy Bee: Mike Malchow

The Busy Bee Award celebrates those who are dependable, hardworking, and always buzzing with activity. Mike Malchow is a true example of those qualities. Mike has been a volunteer with the Garden for almost 10 years, and not only helps at the front desk and during special events, but also in horticulture, facilities, and maintenance – repairing equipment and building things for various departments.

He is always willing to assist anyone who needs an extra hand! As the Garden evolves, Mike continues to seek out new ways to help, which is evident in the many departments that can count on him. He is always ready to share his knowledge of the Garden, whether that’s with a first-time guest or a new volunteer who is learning the ropes. His variety of skills is so valuable, but his positive attitude and kindness make him a truly exceptional volunteer.