Conservation officer Joel Lundberg, a 13-year veteran of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, recently was honored by the Shikar-Safari Club as Michigan's Wildlife Officer of the Year. Lundberg received the award at January's regular meeting of the Natural Resources Commission in Thompsonville.

Lundberg was recognized, in part, for his work to protect Michigan's wildlife populations. On opening day of duck season last October, for example, the officer stopped to talk with a group of eight duck hunters as they were coming in from the afternoon hunt at Shiawassee River State Game Area.

After becoming suspicious about the nervous behavior of one of the hunters, Lundberg conducted interviews and determined the hunters also had shot ducks that morning at Maple River State Game Area. Lundberg followed one of the hunters back to his residence and found 24 additional ducks, concluding that the hunters had killed 72 ducks total – well over the daily bag limit. Each of the hunters faced over-the-limit violations, as well as citations for improperly tagging the ducks that they left at one residence.

Although correcting such violations is an important part of the job, Officer Lundberg – currently assigned to Midland County – brings much more to his role. Throughout his career, which includes previous service in Gladwin and Oscoda counties, Officer Lundberg has:

Served as a drive instructor, teaching precision driving at the DNR Conservation Officer Recruit School and at the department's annual recertification training for senior officers.
Brought his passion for and knowledge of trapping to his role as an instructor in the DNR's trapping school.
Represented the DNR as a member of the Law Enforcement Division's Honor Guard, appearing at various functions around the state to "post the colors" at conferences, meetings and other gatherings.
Most notably, Gary Hagler, chief of the DNR Law Enforcement Division, said Lundberg – who this year also was named LED's 2015 Officer of the Year – should be recognized for his "overall excellence" in carrying out the work of a Michigan conservation officer.

"Joel Lundberg is an outstanding investigator, a top-notch interviewer, and someone who is highly respected by his peers and community personnel," Hagler said. "He is known for a tireless work ethic, and both junior and senior officers frequently seek him out for advice on cases."

Shikar-Safari's Gunnar Klarr praised Lundberg for his personal manner when dealing with the public, his willingness to mentor high school students with an interest in conservation, and his long and strong support of the Michigan Special Olympics.

Officer Lundberg's supervisor, Lt. Ronald Utt, said simply that the veteran DNR conservation officer is "most deserving" of the award.

"He's a great guy and an excellent officer, one of the best I've had the pleasure of working with in my 29 years," Utt said. "I wish I had 20 more like him."

For his part, Officer Lundberg said, "I'm proud to put on this uniform every day and proud to get into the truck and go to work."

To learn more about the duties and responsibilities of Officer Lundberg and all of Michigan's conservation officers, visit the DNR website www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers.


Contact: Lt. Ronald Utt, 989-684-9141