Don Hultman, refuge manager of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge was honored as the 2007 Refuge Manager of the Year at a ceremony held March 23 in Portland, Ore.
Hultman was honored for his achievements in managing the development of the Refuge’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan, his dedication to the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System and his ability to work effectively and professionally with the numerous states, partners, agencies and visitors who have an interest in the future of the Refuge and the Mississippi River.
“ For a refuge manager, this is the ultimate award since we have so many outstanding managers across the country,” said Hultman. “I’m both honored and humbled.”
Beginning in May 2002, Hultman led the development of the Refuge’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan which will guide management of the 240,000 acre, 261 mile long refuge that follows the Mississippi River through the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois. Hultman made public participation in the planning process a priority and over the next four years hosted 46 public meetings and workshops attended by 4,500 people. Hultman and his planning staff evaluated thousands of comments and incorporated them into draft plans that were again reviewed and developed into a final plan that addressed both the needs of Refuge users and the goals and mission of the Refuge and the Refuge System.
“ There were some difficult issues but I believe the final plan meets needs of fish and wildlife and the needs of a diverse public which enjoys the refuge in many ways,” Hultman said.
Friends of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge President James Eddy was not surprised to hear that Don was honored with the Refuge Manager of the Year Award. “This award is a result of Don’s positive leadership, outstanding communication skills, patience, understand and resolve to get the job done.
“ One thing that truly amazed me was that during the more than four years Don was managing the CCP process, he was still able to carry out his normal management duties,” said Eddy. “ He was always available to assist the Friends Group, participate in community outreach and research projects, and talk with the media, local interest groups, members of Congress and private citizens. Don was a special gift to this premier wildlife refuge and his efforts will allow it to meet any challenges the future may hold for the Upper Mississippi River.”
Don Hultman was born and raised in Minnesota. After serving in the Marine Corps, Hultman attended the University of Minnesota and received a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Wildlife, and a Master of Arts degree in Education. He has held positions as a park naturalist with the Minnesota DNR and as a public information officer with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Hultman’s 25 year career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has included staff and manager positions at Tamarac NWR in Minnesota; Seney NWR in Michigan; Devils Lake WMD, Valley City WMD and the Chase Lake Prairie Project in North Dakota; and Benton Lake NWR and WMD in Montana. He moved to the Twin Cities Regional Office in 1991 and served as a refuge manager in Realty-Ascertainment, an assistant refuge supervisor, acting refuge supervisor, chief of refuge operations and refuge supervisor for Minnesota, northern Iowa, and western Wisconsin. In 1998 he went to Washington, D.C., as the Division of Refuges deputy chief.
Hultman moved to the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in 2002 to serve as the refuge manager, and is also the supervisor of 11 other refuges along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers.
With more than three million visitors per year, the “Upper Miss” Refuge is the most visited refuge in the country and has the added complexity of a major navigation system, including 11 locks and dams within its boundary. It is also a world-class fish and wildlife area which harbors 306 species of birds; 119 species of fish; more than 160 active bald eagle nests; thousands of heron and egret nests; spectacular concentrations of canvasback ducks, tundra swans, and white pelicans; and several threatened or endangered species.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 96-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
