The Michigan Natural Resources Commission recently honored longtime conservationist Ron Lundberg with the Thomas L. Washington Lifetime Commitment to Conservation Award. The award was presented at the commission’s regular monthly meeting earlier this month in Lansing.
Lundberg, 78, has been a player in Michigan conservation initiatives for decades.
“What a nice surprise that was when (NRC Chairman) John Matonich called me,” said Lundberg, a property manager who lives in Davison. “I don’t know whether it’s deserving or not, but I’m very appreciative of receiving it.
“I was in the right place at the right time to do what I did,” Lundberg said. “But everybody contributes to conservation and I guess I had more of an opportunity to contribute. And on top of that, you’ve got to be old – you can’t get a lifetime achievement award if you’re not old.”
Long active in Safari Club International, Lundberg was tapped to be one of the main spokesmen for the Proposal G ballot initiative, which mandated that wildlife management decisions be made on the basis of science.
In addition, Lundberg was one of the developers of the policy that allows hunters to transfer their limited-access hunting licenses – such as a bear hunting licenses – to hunters with disabilities. This year, with the help of some Upper Peninsula bear hunters, he hosted a young man with a life-threatening illness at a bear hunt at his camp in Cornell.
Lundberg continues to sponsor youth-oriented activities and has been honored by CHUCK (Challenging Hunters to Use Cash for Kids), which was founded by former Natural Resources Commissioner Bob Garner.
The former owner of a tavern in the Upper Peninsula, Lundberg also volunteered his business to be used as Department of Natural Resources deer check station. The DNR continues to use the tavern as a check station.
Lundberg was nominated for the award by Matonich, who has known him for two decades.
“I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving for the NRC’s Lifetime Commitment to Conservation Award,” Matonich said.
This award is named after the late Tom Washington, the longtime director of Michigan United Conservation Clubs and a former president of the National Rifle Association.
Learn more about the Michigan Natural Resources Commission at the DNR website www.michigan.gov/nrc.
Source: DNR