Awards

Conservation Congress recognizes work of DNR employees

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) at its Annual Convention on May 8-9 recognized seven DNR employees for their ongoing, outstanding work on behalf of the natural resources of the state.

Jurewicz and Matteson recognized for Trumpeter Swan and Osprey work

The WCC honored Endangered Resources Program’s Randy Jurewicz, conservation biologist and Sumner Matteson, avian ecologist, with the 2009 Wildlife Management Award for their work with Trumpeter Swans and Osprey. In honoring the two, the WCC also recognized the countless partners, volunteers, contributors and wildlife managers across Wisconsin. These two species were delisted from the state’s Threatened and Endangered Species list earlier this year. The department wrote a recovery plan for the trumpeter swan in 1986, establishing a recovery goal of at least 20 breeding and migratory pairs by 2000. From 1989 through 1997, Jurewicz and Matteson collected 385 Trumpeter Swan eggs from wild nests in Alaska. The eggs were transported back to the Milwaukee County Zoo, where they hatched out 355. These swans returned to the wild over the eight year period. In 2008, 128 breeding pairs occurred in 20 counties, resulting in the delisting of this species. The Osprey was one of the raptor species decimated by DDT, resulting in a decline in numbers to fewer than 100 nesting pairs by the early 1970s. They were listed as “endangered” in 1972 and a comprehensive Osprey recovery plan was developed with the goal of maintaining a self-sustaining population in suitable habitat throughout Wisconsin. Banning DDT removed that threat, but there was a lack of suitable nesting sites in dead tree snags. Beginning in 1972, a DNR project provided artificial nesting structures, which led to a nesting population of 300 pairs in 1989. As a result, the species was down listed to “threatened.” The number of nesting pairs reported in 2008 was 484. Jurewicz was present to accept the award for Matteson and himself saying, “I am honored to accept this award for my colleague and myself. Our success with these two species is a testament to the support of many who share in the work done by the Endangered Resources Program to preserve and protect Wisconsin’s non-game species of wildlife and the habitats they depend on.”

Meyer and Vande Brink singled out for 15 years of support service

In the midst of the award presentations, the WCC took the time to single out Sue Meyer and Sheree Vande Brink, both of the Bureau of Customer and Employee Services, who the Congress has “thanked with applause in the past.” On the occasion of its 75th anniversary celebration, the Congress presented the two with “well deserved” Special Service Award. The presentation read: “Their smiling faces and sharp wit have greeted you for over 15 years as you came to pick up your name tag, ask for directions or simply share a story. They have stayed up late to make sure you didn’t sneak into the hospitality room, made sure you bought more raffle tickets than you needed, and have been their early in the mornings to make sure you had a ticket for that morning’s breakfast. Whether we were in Cable, Wausau or the Dells, they have been a constant feature to let you know that you had found the right place.”

WCC Fisheries Manager of the Year Award goes to Ron Bruch

The winner of this year’s WCC special recognition for fisheries goes to Ron Bruch, Fisheries Team supervisor in Oshkosh. A Wisconsin native, during his 32 years with the DNR he has provided outstanding service to the sportsmen and women of Wisconsin and to the Congress, expanding the world’s knowledge and understanding of the Lake Sturgeon. Bruch has worked in Oshkosh for the past 23 years, the past 19 years known as the sturgeon biologist for the Lake Winnebago System. During his tenure, he formed citizen advisory committees, including five chapters of “Sturgeons for Tomorrow” As his nominator stated, “(Our winner) relates well to the public and regularly gets the public involved in decision making. In fact, the citizen groups have initiated 22 rule changes in the past 15 years to protect the sturgeon from overharvest.” In addition to holding memberships in numerous professional fisheries organizations, Bruch is a member of the World Sturgeon Conservation Society and chairs the Executive Committee of the North American Chapter of the World Sturgeon Conservation Society. He also has authored numerous studies and paper. In 2008, Bruch received a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for his work in modeling the population dynamics and sustainability of Lake Sturgeon in the Lake Winnebago System.

Congress chooses Nick Nice as Conservation Waterfowl Officer

Conservation warden Nick Nice, Taylor County, received the 2008 Wisconsin Conservation Congress Waterfowl Officer of the Year Award in recognition of his continuous efforts in the protection and ethical use of Wisconsin’s waterfowl resources. Nice has developed effective partnerships with the various outdoor groups in Taylor County, including the County Lakes Association and the Taylor County Sportsmen’s Club. Beginning in 1992, Nice developed a wood duck nesting box building program for elementary schools in Taylor County, with the support of the Taylor County Sportsmen Club. To date, over 5,000 wood duck nesting boxes and more than 3,000 bluebird houses have been built and placed. Similarly, Nice worked with the County Lakes Association to organize the building and placement of over 360 fish cribs. These habitat projects are a testament to Nick’s commitment to not only the resource, but to instilling in youngsters a sense of appreciation for nature. Nice enforces all of the wetland and environmental protection laws in the county. He attends over 45 safety education classes each year, and is an active participant in getting kids out hunting. Wardens in neighboring counties, as well as sportsmen and women in Taylor County, praise him for his excellence on the job and for involving youth in habitat and nature projects. Upon receipt of the award, Nice praised the cooperation and support received from the WCC delegates in Taylor County and the Taylor County Sportsmen’s Club.