By Bruce Ross, Executive Director bross@wisducks.org
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s October, 2024 Newsletter edition.
Kurt Waterstradt of the US Fish and Wildlife Service was the recipient of WWA’s first ever Partner in Conservation Award. Kurt was responsible for initiating and sustaining WWA’s nearly decade long partnership with USFWS private lands restoration program. Together, we received nearly $2.5 million dollars towards restoration and have so far completed nearly 1900 acres of restoration in all corners of the state.
WWA’s relationship with the USFWS has grown to include a recent $800,000 grant to conduct 1400+ acres of restoration near Necedah. That partnership, and WWA’s 40 year impact under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan was recognized when WWA was presented with the USFWS Blue-winged Teal award, an internationally prestigious conservation award.
Kurt is retiring after a 30 year career with the USFWS, where his personal impact has been profound, WWA could not have chosen a better recipient for our first ever Partner in Conservation Award.