WDNR conservation wardens join local efforts to bring happy holiday seasons for others

By: Joanne M. Haas/WDNR Bureau of Law Enforcement

WDNR conservation wardens hope you are enjoying this ongoing holiday season that ends another whirlwind of a year. Thanks to all in Wisconsin for being valued partners to the wardens in the work to protect our state’s incredible natural resources and those who enjoy them. The wardens were happy to help local efforts to share the spirit of happy holidays for others during this 2018 season. Here are few of their favorite photos from December. Let’s go!

Hunt Off Hunger: Battle of the Schools!

Wardens Jason Swaney and Mike Katzenberg stand with one of the Hunt Off Hunger donation barrels.

The wardens who serve the Walworth County area worked with the three largest high schools in the county to help thousands during this holiday season.

They called it Hunt Off Hunger: Battle of the Schools. To get it started, the wardens first went to the principals of the three schools and suggested the food drive competition with the winner receiving a traveling trophy. The principals agreed this sounded like a winning idea!

The wardens then provided a poster and gave each school free rein to promote as they wanted — using traditional and social media. News articles and social media kicked off. The estimates for Facebook alone showed the Hunt Off Hunger poster was shared more than 400 times and was liked by more than 5,600 people. The principals reported people from other communities were coming to school events specifically to donate food. Incredible. The food was shared with five shelters in Walworth County that, collectively, serve about 6,000. Kudos to the students, the communities and the wardens. Talk about a winning team.

Ring the Red Kettle Bell!

Wardens Jonathan Kaiser and Kaitlin Kernosky ring the Red Kettle bell at Waupaca Fleet Farm.

Warden Alyssa Neff-Miller gets photobombed by her husband, Josh, who helped her ring the Red Kettle bell at Manitowoc. Yes, Warden Alyssa got photobombed by a deer when she took her holiday greeting for Warden Wire last month!”

Warden Jake Bolks of Eau Claire listens to his shopping pal.

Wardens in several communities enjoyed volunteering to help ring the bells for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell campaign. The wardens reported witnessing many acts of generosity from so many. They also had some fun conversations with folks about the great outdoors. Kudos to all!

Shop With A Cop!

While the wardens enjoy all the community events, this is always a blast! Law enforcement agencies statewide join efforts and work with local business and community leaders to pair the youngest shoppers with an officer. The officers help the youths select gifts for  families that are facing some financial binds. Helping a kid help others? Hard to beat that assignment!

Whew: There goes another Christmas!

Joining the Clauses are Warden Ben Mott and his K9 Grizzly, Warden Amanda Kretschmer, and standing behind her is Warden Jeff Knorr and at the end is Warden John Schreiber!

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus take a well-earned breather after pulling off yet another in a string of successful Christmases. How do they do it!

This year they got a little help from the WDNR wardens who stopped by to thank them — and take a load off themselves. Here’s hoping your 2018 holiday season is wonderful for you and yours. And we look forward to seeing all of you in the great Wisconsin outdoors in 2019.

Remember: Stay safe out there!

Anyone with information regarding natural resource violations may confidentially report by calling or texting: VIOLATION HOTLINE: 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367. The hotline is in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trained staff relay report information to conservation wardens.