Impact Awards

David Horst, 2024

Anybody who has participated in NEWP’s Public Paddle events over the past 20 years have certainly paddled with David, have David to thank for the trip and shuttle route maps that have helped everybody find their to our paddle launch and land locations for the last 15 years.

David enjoyed two careers since graduating from UW-Green Bay in 1979. He started off with over 20 years of experience as a newspaper reporter and editor, followed up with more than 20 years supporting regional environmental and sustainability programs as an Environmental Grants Coordinator with the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. It is only natural that David’s passion for nature and his communications expertise has benefited NEWP over all these years.

In presenting the award, Jeff Mazanec said, “I first met David about 20 years ago, at one of our Special Places Program paddles. He quickly proved to me that the pen is indeed mightier than the paddle. We had started our 19-year run of Park to Park Paddles a year or two earlier and were pleased to have a couple dozen participants. David submitted a press release to the Appleton Post-Crescent and almost overnight our participation grew to 140, and more than double that in subsequent years.”

Ever since those early days, David supported NEWP’s events with news releases and broadcast media coverage. He also arranged special events to enrich many of the paddle events. Some long-time paddlers may remember visiting with a John Muir actor, participating in a Native American drum circle in Montello, learning about aquatic invasive species and enjoying at least two visits to Aldo Leopold’s shack on the Wisconsin River, all as part of paddle trip experience.

When David isn’t paddling, he and his wife Jean are likely caring for their herd of llamas and alpacas or enjoying visits from Sandhill Cranes in their backyard.

Please congratulate David Horst, the 2024 NEWP Impact Award recipient.