Kurt Haas among winners of an annual DNR warden award
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced the 2023 award recipients from the Division of Public Safety and Resource Protection in honor of exemplary public service.
The division’s management team selected the recipients from nominations submitted by peers.
Taylor County DNR Conservation warden Kurt Haas received the Wisconsin National Wild Turkey Federation Officer award.
His nomination information states: Warden Kurt Haas was hired in 2012 as a DNR conservation warden, first stationed in Black River Falls and now in Taylor County. Haas has developed a tremendous skill set conducting fish and wildlife investigations that have led to actions to protect natural resources for future generations. Haas works to share his expertise through academy and field training of newly hired wardens. He also assists the Taylor County Sportsman’s Club with their Learn to Turkey Hunt program and helps novice turkey hunters each spring.
“The recipients are walking examples to the public that the DNR is dedicated to its core mission of protecting our natural resources and those who use them,” said DNR chief warden Casey Krueger.
Other award winners stationed nearby include Adam Hanna of Clark County, who earned the Off-Highway Vehicle Officer of the Year award, and Brad Dahlquist of Langlade County who earned the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Warden of the Year.
Hanna’s nomination information states: Since his hire in 2008, warden Adam Hanna has displayed a high degree of passion for protecting and enhancing our natural resources and those who enjoy them. Hanna has several key strengths woven into his program for Clark County. One of his greatest is his passion for off-highway vehicle enforcement. Clark County continues to be a destination for ATV/UTVs, off-highway motorcycles and snowmobilers nationwide. With the county’s extensive scope of trails, road routes and campgrounds, Hanna consistently engages with operators. Hanna specializes in working with the public to ensure everyone goes home safely.
For Dahlquist: A citizen cited for deer violations contacted the supervisor of warden Brad Dahlquist and described him as firm, fair and respectful, which is high praise from a citation holder. This demonstrates why Dahlquist is the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation’s Warden of the Year. Assigned to Langlade County, Dahlquist is active in nearly all division areas, from training to teaming with other federal and local agencies on investigations. Highly responsive to calls for service any hour of the day, Dahlquist’s selflessness, community policing model and passion for the resources and the people who rely on them is well known and highly regarded.
