Backyard Heroes: March profiles

Community Shares, a partner of Madison Commons, chooses two volunteers to recognize each month. The volunteers come from Community Shares' member groups and are selected for their service to the community and to community issues.

Photo credit: John UrbanEmily Jones, Sierra Club Foundation (John Muir Chapter)

Emily Jones began volunteering Sierra Club Foundation (John Muir Chapter) during a time of environmental uncertainty in Wisconsin. A trained water monitor, Emily showed absolute dedication to water protection, and to educating others through the materials she developed.  She also volunteers each summer to collect river and stream samples, to check for high phosphorus levels.

Lara Carlson, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

Lara Carlson has been an incredible addition to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign's office. A former teacher and now a grad student in Environmental Studies at UW, Lara is passionate about educating citizens—about politics, the environment, or other community projects.  She also volunteers with the Sierra Club and the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters.