Ulberg has strong relationships across a range of communities and serves the DNR in many internal leadership and training roles.



Share or view as webpage [ [link removed] ]  |  Update preferences [ [link removed] ]


DNR banner with link to website [ [link removed] ]
"DNR News"



May 9, 2025
Contact: Lt. Gerald Thayer <[email protected]>, 269-685-6851

Conservation officer from Kent County receives Wildlife Officer of the Year award

two men stand in a hall smiling

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Justin Ulberg has been named the 2024 Shikar Safari Michigan Wildlife Officer of the Year.

The annual award, presented to Ulberg at Thursday's meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission in Lansing, is the highest state honor for conservation officers who demonstrate exceptional dedication to natural resources protection, law enforcement and community engagement.

Ulberg patrols Kent County, which offers both populated rural suburbs and expansive natural landscapes.

“CO Justin Ulberg’s commitment and dedication to our state have been nothing short of exemplary,” said Lt. Gerald Thayer, DNR district law supervisor based out of Plainwell. “He consistently steps up to take on assignments and leadership roles, including serving in multiple instructor positions and as a district recruiter. His strong work ethic and sound decision-making have not gone unnoticed. CO Ulberg is a tremendous asset to both our department and the people he serves each day.”

Ulberg demonstrates a high level of trust and professionalism within his community, navigating from Grand River fish patrols in downtown Grand Rapids to cold, rainy waterfowl patrols in rural fields.  

In 2024, more than 170 tips reported through the DNR’s Report All Poaching hotline (800-292-7800) listed Ulberg as the primary officer. This is in addition to the many tips reported directly to Ulberg.

Ulberg has strong relationships across a wide range of communities. He assists at police training programs through high school tech centers, attends events hosted by various outdoor groups, and volunteers to staff booths at hunting and fishing expos.

A member of the DNR Law Enforcement Division since 2014, Ulberg seamlessly serves many internal roles, including district recruiter, survival tactics instructor, Taser instructor, firearms instructor, field training officer and instructor at the CO training academy.

Peers describe Ulberg as an officer they can call anytime and who will be willing to drop what he is doing to get the job done successfully – which is reflected in his field work and investigations. 

Ulberg has a Bachelor of Science degree in natural resource management from Grand Valley State University, where he played football. He also received an associate degree in criminal justice from the Grand Rapids Community College Police Academy.

Ulberg’s previous career experience includes working as a reserve deputy for the Kent County Sheriff’s Department and as a Kent County animal control officer.

Michigan conservation officers are fully licensed law enforcement officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety, and protect residents through general law enforcement and lifesaving operations in the communities they serve.

Learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers [ [link removed] ] and follow the weekly blog [ [link removed] ] with updates from the conservation officer recruits in Training Academy No. 13, underway now in Lansing.



________________________________________________________________________



*Note to editors:* An accompanying photo is available below for download. Caption information follows.

*Ulberg [ [link removed] ]*: Conservation Officer Justin Ulberg was recognized as the 2024 Shikar Safari Michigan Wildlife Officer of the Year at Thursday’s Michigan Natural Resources Committee meeting in Lansing. Ulberg patrols Kent County and has been a CO since 2014. Ulberg (right) is shown with Jason Haines, DNR Law Enforcement Division  chief. 




"Following a severe ice storm in northern Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources is assessing damage and conducting cleanup at several state parks, state park campgrounds, state forest campgrounds, boating access sites and state-managed trails. Find up-to-date information about closures, volunteer opportunities and more" "on the DNR storm recovery page [ [link removed] ]."

twitter icon circle [ [link removed] ]facebook icon circle [ [link removed] ]YouTube icon circle [ [link removed] ]instagram icon [ [link removed] ]pinterest icon circle [ [link removed] ]email icon circle [ [link removed] ]




If you wish to no longer receive emails from the DNR,
please update your preferences here:
Manage Preferences [ [link removed]? ]  |  Unsubscribe All [ [link removed] ]  |  Help [ [link removed] ]

Need further assistance?
Contact Us [ [link removed] ]  |  Provide Feedback <[email protected]>

Visit us on our website: Michigan.gov/DNR [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote [ [link removed] ].

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Department of Natural Resources · Constitution Hall, 525 W. Allegan St., PO Box 30028 Lansing MI 48909 · 1-800-439-1420