Wisconsin family manages 500-acre forest for wildlife and timber; shortlisted for state conservation award (Image Credit: Sand County Foundation)
The couple manages more than 500 acres of contiguous forest in Marinette County, balancing timber production with wildlife conservation. The Sand County Foundation announced on September 10, 2026, that the Seberos were among five finalists for the 2026 Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award. The $10,000 award recognises farmers and forestland owners who make significant efforts to protect soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat while managing productive land. The winner is scheduled to be announced on November 12.
The foundation, which announced the shortlist, presents the award with national sponsor American Farmland Trust and state partners Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. A forest can be both a source of timber and a home for wildlife when it is managed with conservation in mind. In Wisconsin, Jesse and Kylie Sebero are demonstrating how privately owned woodland can support economic activity while protecting natural habitats. They also open their property to researchers and organise educational tours for landowners and forestry professionals.
In this role, he has written 272 forestry plans covering thousands of acres of privately owned land. Andy Bensend of Dallas in Barron County has introduced cover crops, nutrient management and reduced tillage at AB Farms.
The Seberos manage the quality of timber and wildlife habitat across their property to achieve its fullest potential, according to the Sand County Foundation. Their approach reflects an effort to maintain a productive forest while ensuring that it continues to provide suitable habitat for wildlife. The family also makes the woodland available for research projects and tours. They welcome landowners, timber professionals and conservation experts who want to learn about forest management and conservation practices. Jesse Sebero’s professional work further supports these efforts. He serves as a technical service provider for the US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). His experience in providing technical guidance, together with the family’s management of their own woodland, has made the Sebero property a place for research, learning and knowledge-sharing. The Seberos are competing with four other finalists whose conservation work focuses on farming, grazing, soil health and water protection. Despite the shorter growing season in northern Wisconsin, he grows corn, soybeans and winter wheat while participating in research projects examining agricultural practices and soil health. Jeff Endres, co-owner of Endres Berryridge Farms in Waunakee, Dane County, installed a manure composting facility to reduce the need for spreading manure during winter. He also founded the Yahara Pride farmer-led watershed group, which encourages farmers to adopt conservation practices and reduce phosphorus pollution in waterways.