"Man - despite his artistic pretensions, his sophistication, and his many accomplishments - owes his existence to a six inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains." (Unknown author)
April and May are the essence of Spring when the water flows and the earth begins to grow all that we and our fellow sentient beings need to live. It is the time when it truly comes into focus.
Managing, seeking and disseminating ways to keep our water and land safe and healthy fall under the jurisdiction of the Ozaukee County Department of Land and Water Management. Ozaukee is so fortunate because this comes into the hands of a very wise and focused man, Andy Holschbach, the Wizard of Oz for the month of May.
Andy is one of the easiest persons to work with, always kind, always considerate, and with a gentle approach to tough issues that works time and time again. Andy understands process, people and issues in a way that pulls solutions comfortably together. It is a rare quality and works magic for Oz.
Andy is Director of the Department of Land and Water Management of Ozaukee County which administers the Sanitary, Shoreland Zoning, Manure Storage, and Nonmetallic Mining Ordinances for Ozaukee County. He works closely with Ozaukee farmers and farm organizations. He knows the history of the farming community, probably better than anyone else, and has developed good relationships with farm owners.
Andy's energy and dedication to Oz goes beyond his excellence as director. He is involved in working with many organizations whose work fosters the health of our water and land. He brings people and groups together to improve and sustain our resources.
Andy is president of the Wisconsin Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, on the board of directors for the Ulao Creek Partnership, SEWISC (Southeast Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium), the Land Conservation Partnership of Ozaukee County, the Ozaukee Treasures Network, Treasures of Oz, the Sheboygan River Basin Partnership, the Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trusts (Sweet Water), and has founded the newly formed Sucker Brook Partnership.
Andy's work, his skill and his long-term dedication to Ozaukee's water and land make a tremendous impact on the quality of life and the quality of our resources. Treasures of Oz are excited to name his our Wizard of Oz for May, 2012.