Weston Resident Named Trail Steward of the Year by Ice Age Trail Alliance

The Ice Age Trail Alliance proudly announces Jerry Krause as the recipient of the 2025 Trail Steward of the Year Award. The announcement was made during the Alliance’s Annual Conference Awards and Recognition Ceremony on Saturday, April 12.

The Trail Steward of the Year Award honors individuals whose work in any phase of Trail management contributes in “an extraordinary manner” to the development and care of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. It celebrates excellence in Trail planning, design, construction, maintenance, landowner and partner relations, and stewardship work.

Over the past year, Krause, who lives in Weston, contributed more than 800 volunteer hours to Trail-related activities−more than 600 of which were devoted to Trail maintenance. Whether working quietly behind the scenes as a tool manager and segment maintainer for the Central Moraines Chapter of the Alliance or stepping up to support major construction efforts across the state, Krause’s commitment has left a lasting impact.

“Jerry is the kind of volunteer every organization dreams of: humble, dependable, and skilled,” says Luke Kloberdanz, Executive Director and CEO of the Ice Age Trail Alliance. “He shows up early, stays late, and brings a quiet leadership that inspires everyone around him.”

Krause is a go-to resource when complex Trail construction projects arise. His craftsmanship and technical know-how ensure projects are completed to the highest standards.

He has led multiple Eagle Scout projects and worked closely with two WisCorps crews over the past year, sharing his expertise and instilling Trail values in the next generation of conservation stewards.

Beyond construction and maintenance, Krause is a trusted presence for staff and volunteers alike. Just a phone call away, he routinely arrives early to prep projects and sticks around after the work is done to tie up loose ends—often serving as a reliable, on-the-ground partner when staff is unavailable.

In addition to volunteering for the Alliance and creating and maintaining the Trail, Krause is also an Ice Age Trail Thousand Miler; he completed the entire Ice Age Trail by section hiking it in 2016.