Photo: Susan Gruber
By Susan Gruber, Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy Volunteer
In the spring of 2017, I had the opportunity to interview applicants for the part-time land manager position for Pheasant Branch Conservancy, a position funded by the Friends but administered by Dane County.
One priority was eliminating invasive species from the north side of Frederick’s Hill, all of the surrounding prairies, the wetlands within the county property, and the springs stewarded by the DNR. Because this was a county position, working on the properties in the City of Middleton section of the conservancy was not possible.
I asked an obvious question: “Why do you want this position?” Rob Schubert leaned over the table and from his heart shared his passion for working in nature, restoring habitat and educating all comers about the importance of caring for the earth.
And then, after we hired him, I watched as his actions put this passion on display.
Rob, who recently left Pheasant Branch after more than 8 years, was dedicated to sharing his incredible knowledge about plant identification and propagation, the influence of habitat (wetlands, uplands, meadows, savannah, etc.), and the impact of burns on plants, insects, and birds. As he worked, when someone stopped to ask a question or make a comment, Rob would very pleasantly share information colored by his passion. A fond memory of Rob patiently helping a 3-year-old catch, tag, and release a butterfly will always remain in my mind.
Rob also initiated several citizen science projects, including studies of snake, and frog and toad populations in the Conservancy. He guided job training for adolescents aged 16-24 years (Operation Fresh Start), as well as school groups, interns, community groups, and generations of volunteers. He was patient as someone one would inevitably ask, “What is the name of that plant?” Come to think of it, as I worked side-by-side with him, it was also one of my routine questions – always met with a smile.
I have worked with many people over my lifetime, but I would be hard pressed to think of another person with Rob’s strong work ethic and value system. Along with his full-time job, Rob would call and ask if I could join him on a Sunday afternoon to cut and buck up trees or follow him in the wetland as we cut and sprayed invasives. He was always safety conscious and, when necessary, never failed to put on his personal protective equipment and encouraged others to do the same.
Rob also knew how to have fun. The times of calling volunteers over to share a new orchid, of roasting a brat while lying on his tummy, of leading us like chicks following the rooster through the remnant prairie to see some special species or collect some rare seeds. His laugh was as infectious as his passion.
The Pheasant Branch Conservancy is the pride of the City of Middleton. As a result of Rob’s guidance over the past 8 years, invasives have been tamed, new partnerships with the City of Middleton forged, and the Conservancy has emerged as one of the best managed parks in Dane County.
We are truly grateful for the labor of love he has given to it and to those of us who worked with him. We wish him well as he moves forward in his career with the same passion and energy he had for the Conservancy.
Thanks from all of us, Rob, for a job well done!