Time period/Baraboo: 1966 - present
Submitted by: Aldo Leopold Foundation and Boardman and Clark, LLP

Forrest was born in August 1938 and grew up on a farm near Lodi. Not cut out to be a farmer he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was graduated in 1960. Following his graduation, he pursued his degree in law at UW-Madison and became a member of the bar in 1966.

He came to Baraboo in 1966 as a summer law clerk. As things worked out, he never left. He worked for and eventually became a partner in the law firm now known as BoardmanClark. He began as a general practitioner but came to specialize in business law and estates. Hartmann’s knowledge of the law, extensive network, and commitment to the community has made him an integral part of numerous civic endeavors.

Early on in his career he was soon recruited to help organize the University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County booster group, Friends of the Campus. In 1972, he was instrumental in establishing the International Crane Foundation along with co-founders George Archibald and Ronald Sauey.

The environment has indeed always been another passion. Hartman served on the board ans was critical to the Aldo Leopold Foundation’s construction of the Leopold Center, the production of the film Green Fire, and most recently the establishment of its Future Leader Center. In addition, he has served the Baraboo Range Commission and The Nature Conservancy, winning the latter group’s prestigious Oak Leaf Award in 1993.