Directory

The Association of Retired Conservationists was organized by a group of retirees from the Wisconsin Conservation Department in the 1960's. By the mid-1970's, the WCD had been combined with the Department of Resource Development to form the Department of Natural Resources, and the retirees group had grown significantly, met monthly for lunch and began inviting speakers to address the group on issues of interest to the members. Today, the organization has more than two hundred members.

website contact: retiredrick@wisarc.org

KEY FACTORS IN SHAPING WCD HISTORY

By Dave Gjestson; edited by Jim Miller
1800s

• 1848 – Wisconsin Territory became the 30th state on May 29.
• 1850 – State’s population reached 305,000.
• 1851– First restrictions on game species established.
• 1867 – Increase Lapham reported on the destruction of state forests.
• 1870 – State’s population at 1,054,670.
• 1871 – Peshtigo fire burned over six counties; killed over 1,000 people.
• 1874 – Three-man Fish Commission appointed to distribute fish spawn received from the federal Bureau of Fisheries.
• 1876 – First state trout hatchery established at Nine Springs near Madison (later renamed “Nevin Hatchery” after James Nevin who became the state’s first full-time fisheries superintendent).
• 1879 –Rolla Baker appointed as the state’s first warden.
• 1885 – Three “fish wardens” authorized to patrol the Great Lakes.
• 1887 – First four “game wardens” authorized by law (two hired).
• 1891 – Office of the State Fish and Game Warden created in Madison.
• 1897 – Three-man Forestry Commission created.
• 1899 – An Interstate Park Commission was appointed.

1900-1930

• 1900 – State’s population at 2,069,042.
• 1901 – First state park established at St. Croix Falls.
• 1903 - Department of State Forestry established; superintendent authorized.
• 1904 – E. M. Griffith appointed as the first state forester.
• 1905 – State Forestry Board replaced the Forestry Commission.
• 1908 – First Wisconsin Conservation Commission created (seven unsalaried men).
• 1911 – Conservation Commission reauthorized. First state nursery established at Trout Lake.
• 1915 – Three-man, salaried Conservation Commission created (absorbed the duties of the park board, forestry board, fisheries commission, and Fish and Game Warden Office).
• 1923 – One-man, salaried Conservation Commission authorized.
• 1927 – Wisconsin Conservation Commission and Department created.
• 1928 – Division of Game formed within the WCD. First state game farm for pheasant propagation and distribution established at Peninsula State Park.

1930-1960

• 1930 – Drought conditions hit Wisconsin’s central counties.
• 1933 – WCD authorized to open and close seasons, prescribe bag limits, and regulate the methods of harvest of fish and game. Aldo Leopold was appointed game management chair at the UW-Madison. His book, Game Management, was published.
• 1934 – County Game Committees formed (renamed Conservation Congress in 1939). State Game Farm operation moved to Poynette.
• 1936 – First of consecutive deer seasons since alternating closures
  were implemented in 1924 and generated angry sportsmen opposition commonly called, “The Deer Wars.”
• 1937 – Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act became law (Pittman-Robertson Act).
• 1938 – First state public hunting grounds established at Deansville (northeast Dane County).
• 1940 – State’s population at 3, 137, 587.
• 1942 – Aldo Leopold appointed to the Conservation Commission.
• 1945 – First “game manager” title used in the Game Division.
• 1950 – Seven-day any deer season produced a United States record deer harvest of 167, 911. Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act became law (Dingell-Johnson Act).
• 1954 – Ernie Swift resigned as the WCD director and was replaced by L. P. Voigt. The term “fish manager” created about this time period.
• 1956 – The WCD established five uniform administrative areas for all field functions of the agency.
• 1960 – State public hunting ground acreage controlled exceeded 500,000 acres on 256 named projects. The state’s population exceeded 3.9 million.
• 1968 – July 1, Wisconsin Conservation Department becomes Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

KEY FACTORS IN SHAPING DNR HISTORY

By Bruce Braun
1960’s

• Political climate ripe for change
• Weak Governor system
• Part-time Legislature
• Multitude of state agencies needing reorganization and reform
• Environmental movement beginning nationwide
• Two Governors strong advocate of environment – Nelson and Knowles
• Both parties favorable to environmental improvementv
• Environmental functions – Water, Air and Solid waste – enhanced or created
• State Government Reorganized – 4 yr term Gov, cabinet and fewer agencies
• DNR created, July 1, 1968, out of recognition for the need to coordinate resource management and environmental functions

1970’s

• Political climate changing
• Stronger Governor with cabinet agencies and budget control
• Full time Legislature with more staff and overview of agency rule making
• Partisan politics starting to be more divergent
• Municipalities gaining more control vs. rural areas
• Lobbyists beginning to be more influential in state government
• Enhanced environmental regulations
• Emphasis on command and control
• Focus on technical solutions to pollution control
• Resource management functions beginning to face fiscal problems
• Public Intervener emerges as environmental force
• DNR grows
• Secretary becomes more visible advocate
• Part-time Board vs. Cabinet emerges as issue which will continue to haunt



DNR over the next several decades

• Line/staff organization develops unique to state government
• Environmental staffs grow especially in the field
• District Director;s emerge is relatively independent powers
• Management issues emerge which will continue to fester in DNR
• Line/staff vs. more traditional organization in state government
• Merger vs. integration of environmental and resource functions
• Centralization vs. Decentralization
• Mgt. style – command/control vs. participative management

Staff Tributes & Memorials
Name	Position	Memorial
Amundson,Terry A.	Bureau staff, first wildlife disease specialist	Scholarship
Bangert, Suzanne	WDNR	John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement for working with Green Bay Packaging, Inc., 1992
Berkhan, John	Wildlife Staff	Flowage at Mead Wildlife Area
Besadny, C. D. “Buzz”	Researcher/Former Secretary	Besadny Wildlife Area, Kewaunee County Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame, 2008 National Resources Foundation’s C.D. Besadny Conservation Grant Program named in his honor, 1990
Brandt, Paul	Wildlife Biologist	Memorial plaque located in the Millville Unit of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, Grant County
Brosig, Leonard	Wildlife Technician	Boat Landing Red Cedar Lake, Jefferson County
Cain, Michael J.	Lawyer in Bureau of Legal Services	John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement for working with Marathon Co. Hazardous Waste Coop, Marathon Co. Health, 1995
Davidowski, Joseph E.	WDNR	John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement for working with Kadinger Auto Salvage, 1994
Eicstadt, Walter	Wildlife Technician	Memorial bench at Theresa Marsh Wildlife Area, Washington County
Eisberner, Donald	Forestry Fire Control Technician	died while fighting a forest fire Memorial Forest and Canoe Landing, Eau Claire County Eisberner Training Room, Tomahawk Training Center
Erickson, Harvey	Wildlife Technician	Flowage at Crex Meadows
Gates, John, and wife Connie	Wildlife Researcher	Wetland Unit of Zeloski Marsh, Jefferson County
Germain, Clifford	Wildlifer/Scientific Area/Natural Area Coordinator	Madison Audubon Society Award for Excellence in Community-based Restoration Germain Hemlocks Natural Area, Oneida County
Glymph, Toni	WDNR	John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement for working with 3M Menomonie Plant, 2001
Grange, Wallace	Bureau Director/Researcher	Memorial bench, Sandhill Wildlife Area Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame, 1993
Griffith, Edward M.	Forestry	Wisconsin’s first state forester Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame, 1998
Hale, James and wife Pat	Bureau Director/Researcher	Wetland Unit of Zeloski Marsh, Jefferson County Enrolled in the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame USFWS Silver Eagle Award
Hartman, George	Wildlife Biologist	Memorial bench, Sandhill Wildlife Area
Hamerstom, Fred and Fran	Wildlife Researchers, project leaders for DNR’s Prairie Grouse Management Research Unit, 1949-1972	Home site preservation Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame, 1996
Heinrich, Jon F.	WDNR	John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement for working with City of Portage, 1987
Helf, Dan	WDNR	John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement for working with Rockwell Automation, Milwaukee, 2003
Henneger, Rick	Lawyer in the Bureau of Legal Services	Henneger Point, Wyalusing State Park
Hine, Ruth	Wildlife Researcher	Wetland Unit of Zeloski Marsh, Jefferson County Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame, 2010
Hunt, Richard and wife Janice	Wildlife Researcher	Wetland Unit of Zeloski Marsh, Jefferson County Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame, 2012
Hunt, Robert	Fisheries Biologist	Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame, 2012
Jahn, Laurence and wife Helen	Wildlife Researcher	Wetland Unit of Zeloski Marsh, Jefferson County Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame, 2004
Johnson, Ruth C.	WDNR	John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement for working with E.I. du Pont de Nemours Co., Inc., 1988
Jordahl, Harold C, "Bud"	Wildlife/Administrator	Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame, 2005
Kalmerton, Roy	Technician/Warden	Sheboygan County Conservation Association scholarship
Keener, John	Reseacher/Bureau Director	Woodcock Management Unit, Dell Creek Wildlife Area, Sauk County Ruffed Grouse Society Chapter USFWS Silver Eagle Award
Kloes, Glen	Wildlife Technician	Pond memorial at the Navarino Wildlife Area, Shawano County
Krueger, Rhonda	Wildlife Biologist	Glacial Habitat Restoration Area memorial plaque, Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area, Dodge County
Kubisiak, John	Wildlife Researcher	Grouse hunting unit located in the Wood County Forest
LaFave, Neil	Technician/Warden	killed in the line of duty Memorial plaque located in the Sensiba Unit of the Green Bay West Shores project, Brown County portion
Lahti, Duane J.	WDNR	John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement for working with Rhinelander Paper Company, 1997
Landphier, Gordon	Chief Forest Ranger	Inducted into Wisconsin Forestry Hall of Fame, 2012
Lane, Beth Arthur	Wildlife Biologist	Ponds, Mead Wildlife Area
LeMay, Neil	Chief Forest Ranger	Neil LeMay Center, Training and Equipment Development Center, Tomahawk
Lintereur, LeRoy	Wildlife Biologist	Memorial plaque located in Red Arrow Park near the Seagull Bar Natural Area Annual Achievement Award in his name awarded by the Chappee Rapids Audubon Society Hiking trail in his name located in Harmony Hardwoods Memorial Forest, Marinette County
MacKenzie, Harley W.	Conservation Warden/Director of WCD (1934-1942)	MacKenzie Environmental Center named in his honor Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame, 1988
Martini, William	Forestry, Forest Ranger/Fire Control Training Officer	UW-Stevens Point Outstanding Alumni Award, 1982 National Award for Outstanding Service in Fire Management, 1988
Martini, Robert	Statewide Rivers Coordinator	John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement for working with Consolidated Paper Corp., Inc., 1983
Mattason, Ken	Forestry Fire Control Tower Lookout	Mattson Fire Tower, Marathon County
Meier, William	Wildlife Biologist	Island in his name below Merrill, Wisconsin
Meyer, Earl N.	Fire Prevention Specialist	Silver Smokey Award, 1982 from the USFS, National Association of State Foresters and the Advertising Council for developing a statewide forest fire arson prevention program in Wisconsin after his death in 2006, the AMVETS post that he founded in 2002 was renamed, “The Earl N. Meyer AMVETS Post No. 151” memorial bench on Paradise Springs Nature Trail, Kettle Moraine State Forest
Meyer, Linda	Lawyer in the Bureau of Legal Services	John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement for working with Cardinal Environmental, Inc., 2004
Michaelsen, Michael V.	Environmental Enforcement Specialist	John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement for working with Barron County, 1985
Miller, James R.	Forest Fire Prevention and Forestry Law Enforcement Staff Specialist/State Locomotive Inspector	Golden Smokey from the National Association of State Foresters, USDA Forest Service and the Ad Council for work in railroad fire prevention and training. Northeast Forest Fire Supervisor’s Eugene F. MacNamara Fire Prevention Award for work in Railroad Fire Prevention and Training.
Oehmeke, Arthur,(“Mr. Musky”)	Fisheries, Director of Woodruff Hatchery	Woodruff Hatchery renamed the Art Oehmeke State Fish Hatchery, 1994 Inducted into National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, 1994 National Fish Culture Hall of Fame, 1994 Muskies, Inc. Hall of Fame, 1994
Opgenorth, Mark	Wildlife Technician	Memorial fund for Strawberry Creek renovation project, Door Co.
Packard, Dean	WDNR	John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement for working with Artistic Plating Company, 1998
Posekany, Lewis A.	Fisheries Biologist	John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement for working with Trout Unlimited Wis. Council, 1982
Roberts, Thomas	Chief Forest Ranger	Tom Roberts Memorial Nature Trail, Crystal Lake Campground, Northern Highland American Legion State Forest.
Sandberg, Harvey	Wildlife Technician	Flowage at Crex Meadows
Schneider, Stanley A.	Environmental Warden	John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement for working with Snap-On Tools Corporation, 1991
Schwengel,Armin	Wildlife Biologist	Waterfowl Production Area, Ozaukee County USFWS Silver Eagle Award
Scott, Walter and wife Trudi	Game Warden, Researcher/Administrator	Prairie and savannah unit of Zeloski Marsh, Jefferson County Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame, 1995
Shine, Harold	Wildlife Technician	Crossing located in Gardner Swamp, Door County
Smith, John Robert “J.R.” and wife Beatrice	Wildlife Bureau Director	Beatrice Prairie Unit of Zeloski Marsh, Jefferson County
Steidl, Thomas F.	Lawyer in Bureau of Legal Services	John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement for working with Hartwig Manufacturing Corporation, 1990
Stites, Wilbur D.	Information and Education, Produced “Wisconsin Outdoors” radio and TV shows	Award of Merit from American Association of Conservation Information, 1956 Named “Madison Public Relations Man of the Year” by the Madison Press Club, 1970
Stone, Norm	Wildlife Biologist	Auditorium at Crex Meadows Wildlife Area Prairie Restoration site at Crex Meadows Flowage at Crex Meadows
Swift, Ernest	Game Warden/Director of WCD, 1947-1954	Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame, 1986
Vakharia, Raj	Engineer in Bureau of Air Management	John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement for working with John Deere Horicon Works, 2002
Widder, James	Area Forester/Black Walnut Specialist	Black Walnut Achievement Award from the Walnut Council, Inc., 2008
Zmuda, Mitchell J.	WDNR	John C. Brogan Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievement for working with the City of DePere Waste Water Treatment Program, 1989