Ramminger Recognized as 2012 Wisconsin DNR Wildlife Technician of the Year
OutdoorHub 04.29.13
Al Ramminger was recognized by his colleagues as the Department of Natural Resources wildlife technician of the year for 2012 at an award ceremony earlier this year.
The presentation was made by DNR Executive Assistant Scott Gunderson at a statewide meeting of the DNR Bureau of Wildlife Management staff held in Wisconsin Dells. Ramminger, who has been stationed in Columbia County for 21 years, is responsible for management of more than 24,000 acres of state wildlife lands.
Ramminger has initiated numerous projects to improve public access to state lands and works closely with private landowners whose property is adjacent to the land he manages.
“Al’s skill in wetland and oak savanna restorations are especially valued within the DNR wildlife program,” said Sara Kehrli, wildlife biologist for Columbia County.
“Over the years, he’s been willing to take on many new and interesting challenges, some by choice and others courtesy of Mother Nature. He recognized great restoration potential following the massive flood event of 2008. From 2010 to 2012, he initiated and had sole responsibility for five wetland restorations, all the while not skipping a beat with the rest of his workload. During the same period of time, he repaired and improved multiple dikes that had sustained significant flood damage and in the process found time to train additional staff in wetland restorations.”
An avid outdoorsman, Ramminger jumped at the chance to support additional mourning dove hunting opportunity in Columbia County following creation of a mourning dove season. His enthusiasm and work has made the managed dove program in Columbia County such a success that it attracts hunters from as far west as the Mississippi River, from Illinois and from the Lake Michigan area. He also works to recruit new hunters and personally introduces kids, hunters with disabilities, and others to the sport of dove hunting.
