Crookston’s Ross Hier and UMC's Dan Oberg Receive Top Awards at Wildlife Meeting
Crookston was once again placed on the conservation map when Ross Hier, assistant wildlife manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Daniel Oberg, wildlife management student at the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC), received the Minnesota Award and the Student Conservationist Award, respectively, from the Minnesota Chapter of The Wildlife Society. The awards were presented recently at the Chapter’s annual meeting in Willmar, and they represent the premier recognition by the professional organization.
Above (from left), Minnesota Chapter of The Wildlife Society Awards
Chair Janet Boe, Dan Oberg, and Ross Hier at the recent annual meeting
of the Chapter in Willmar.
The Minnesota Award, presented to Hier, recognizes "outstanding contributions to Minnesota's wildlife and natural resources." According to Terry Wolfe, Hier’s supervisor with the DNR, “Ross tirelessly works in managing prairie habitats for a broad spectrum of people and plant and animal species. He generously shares his knowledge of prairie management with all who have an interest or who could be educated to have an interest in prairies and wetlands. He has also illustrated many DNR signs, and this has promoted a nice image and assisted the public in an interpretive way.”
Hier lives in Crookston and also serves as an adjunct faculty member for UMC’s Natural Resources Department, where he currently teaches a course on prairie management. “Ross has a gift for communicating his passion for wildlife and prairie conservation that leaves students wanting more,” says Dan Svedarsky, professor and program manager of UMC’s Natural Resources Department. “There are college teachers who leave a lasting impact on their students and who we remember forever. Ross will be one of these.”
Hier is a well-known wildlife artist and has contributed numerous illustrations to the Minnesota Chapter of The Wildlife Society Newsletter. He commonly does an original piece for fundraisers and to honor someone on their retirement or other special occasion. Heir has also assisted with editing the national conference proceedings entitled, The Greater Prairie Chicken - A National Look, and provided illustrations for that publication and the booklet, A Landowner's Guide To Prairie Management In Minnesota.
The Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society is another beneficiary of Hier’s contributions. He has been one of the long-time cornerstones of the organization, having served as historian, staff artist for the newsletter, vice-president, annual meeting organizer, and t-shirt designer. “The Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society would not be half the organization that it does without his support,” notes Society President, Brian Winter. “His commitment to conservation of prairie habitats in northwest Minnesota has made an impact that is noticed today and will be enjoyed by future generations.”
The Student Conservationist Award, presented to UMC student Daniel Oberg, recognizes the top wildlife student from among all of Minnesota’s colleges and universities. Oberg, a wildlife management student from Isanti, Minnesota, is the fourth UMC student in the last six years to receive this top honor.
“We are certainly very proud of Dan in the Natural Resources Department and on the UMC campus,” notes Svedarsky. “He is an excellent student, academically and socially. He is well liked by his fellow students and professors. He is a problem solver, handy with practical skills, comfortable in the field, a quick study, and a wonderful role model.” After receiving the award in Willmar and making a report as president of the UMC Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Oberg was on his way to the inauguration of University President Robert Bruininks where he appeared on a student panel representing UMC. On campus, Oberg is a residence hall advisor, serves on the All-University Academic Integrity Committee, and is a member of the Board of the Northwest Regional Partnership for Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Oberg’s past awards are many: Ed Widseth Student-Athlete Award, Michael Chowdry Entrepreneurial Scholarship; Fedeler Award of the Minnesota Chapter of The Wildlife Society; Norman Pankratz Conservation Award; Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) award; and one of five national Wildlife Leadership Award winners in 2002 presented by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
In his spare time, Oberg is an avid bow hunter. He has been pictured in the Cabala’s archery catalog and the Minnesota Outdoors magazine with a trophy buck he bagged near Crookston in 2001. He plans to continue his studies after graduating from UMC this spring. He hopes to earn at least a master’s degree in wildlife management with a focus on big game.
Posted 03/03/2003