Volunteer of the Year - Alex Bouthilet

Volunteer of the Year                                     

An individual who has demonstrated outstanding participation and leadership in the Osceola Area Chamber and/or the Osceola Community with selfless contribution of time and effort.

Alex Bouthilet

An Osceola-native, Alex Bouthilet is a very active field volunteer for Standing Cedars Land Conservancy and serves on their board of directors.  In addition, he is the secretary for the St. Croix Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts. Alex recently founded The Native Seed Project, a nonprofit dedicated to providing affordable native plant seed.
Over the years, Alex has immersed himself in ecological restoration and habitat conservation.  His personal favorite way to assist in preserving habitat is by collecting seeds from desirable native plants. This year he has spent more than 100 hours collecting 22.5 pounds of seeds at Standing Cedars with the goal of preserving their native ecosystems. The seeds he collects are cleaned through wire mesh screens and planted in areas where seed restoration is needed.
Alex reports the experiences alternate from joyful to miserable:  enjoying beautiful days outside in the prairie balanced with the unpleasantness of removing twenty wood ticks. Alex appreciates getting to share his enthusiasm and knowledge for native plants with Standing Cedars’ volunteers and supporters, and in teaching the Osceola High School’s Ecology Club how to collect seeds.