Carl Madsen Oral History Transcript

The interview begins with Carl discussing the concerns that the Fish and Wildlife Service had about declining mallard populations in the upper Midwest and Canada (the mid-continent region). The FWS had successfully implemented a Small Wetlands Program with fee title and perpetual easement acquisition to protect wetlands but had not developed a program to work with private landowners. Carl moved to the Fergus Falls Wetland office in Minnesota to begin working with private landowners in western Minnesota to restore wetlands and grasslands to benefit nesting waterfowl. When that program ended, Carl moved back to the Regional Office in the Twin Cities, working on the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. He refused a directed reassignment to Washington, DC and completed his career working for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program as the State Coordinator in Brookings, South Dakota. Carl explains the work he did in South Dakota with ranchers and farmers, restoring habitat for wildlife. He also explains the importance of his many partnerships with South Dakota Conservation Districts, the South Dakota Departments of Game, Fish and Parks, and Department of Agriculture, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, sportsmen’s clubs and other partners including farmers and ranchers. Carl retired in 2004.

In retirement he interacts with his successors in the Partners Program, and the SD wildlife community.  He operates a 350 acre farm for wildlife and grows produce for a local food shelf.