MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – The Parks and Recreation Department is fortunate to have a large number of volunteers who dedicate their time and talents. Those volunteers coach, organize senior citizen activities, maintain landscape beds, pick up trash and litter, remove invasive species, plant trees, and secure donations for facility improvements, among many other services.
Since 2001, the Marshfield Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Committee has annually recognized a special volunteer whose efforts have stood out both in their service to the Department and the City of Marshfield as a whole.
This year’s Volunteer of the Year is Josh Weiland. Currently, Josh is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, majoring in Wildlife Ecology/Management with a minor in Captive Wildlife. He is active on campus participating in the Herpetology Club, taking care of reptiles and amphibians. Josh possesses a strong desire to care for animals, which has driven his desire to be a zookeeper.
Josh is a volunteer at Wildwood Zoo, where he has displayed strong leadership skills. While at the zoo, he independently prepares diets, designs and builds enrichment for the animals, and creates enrichment schedules for the staff to implement on the days he isn’t there. Additionally, he assists with special events, such as “Howl-oween” at the Zoo and holiday enrichment. Josh has more responsibility than any previous volunteer and never fails to find a task to work on, often without direction.
Before volunteering at Wildwood Zoo, Josh volunteered for three years at the Marshfield Area Pet Shelter. Before college, Josh attended Columbus Catholic High School where he graduated with high honors, maintaining a GPA of 4.0. Josh learned the value of teamwork, spending four years on the soccer and golf teams and earning the coaches’ award for soccer in 2021.
Josh is also an accomplished trumpet player, participating in concert band, jazz band, pep band, and solo ensemble. Josh played Taps through the American Legion at Veteran funerals and memorial parades. Josh’s hobbies include a love for Marvel, Fantasy Football, and playing golf. Josh is compassionate, dependable, and a finisher when it comes to work.
Aside from his strong work ethic, Josh is a pleasure to work around. He is courteous and friendly to all members of the zoo and guests. We have heard many positive comments about his interactions throughout his time at the zoo. He shows up for his shifts with a smile on his face, ready to complete any task. Wildwood Zoo Manager Sarah Storandt said,
“Josh has positively impacted the operations of Wildwood Zoo. He is highly trusted and able to work independently while making a big difference. Over the year and a half that he has been volunteering, he has been incredibly reliable, positive-minded, and always helpful. I truly believe Josh will go on to do great things in the field of animal care and I look forward to seeing his career unfold after he completes his degree. It has been our pleasure to help him gain experience. We appreciate everything he has done for the Zoo and the Department.”
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Author: News Desk
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