Steve Sluka of Newaygo County was named a Department of Natural Resources Partner in Conservation at the regular meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission Nov. 6 in Lansing. Sluka, a resident of Bitely, was honored for his efforts to assist DNR employees capture and band ducks on his property along the Little Pere Marquette River, and for previous efforts to assist the department with trapping and monitoring radio-collared black bears in northern Newaygo County.

"Steve Sluka provides our Wildlife Division staff with an invaluable opportunity to conduct research on duck species on his property. He and his sons give up their privilege to hunt ducks there because of the research that is conducted, putting aside their self-interest in waterfowl hunting to help us capture and band ducks for research," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. "As a part of this effort, he also opens his home and property to the 'Green Wings' youth members of Ducks Unlimited, Cub Scouts and 4H groups to assist on the project, and helps us educate the next generation of waterfowl hunters and conservationists."

For approximately 20 years, Sluka has helped the DNR capture and leg-band ducks on his property, which includes a wetland restoration project along the Little Pere Marquette River. Sluka offered use of his pond and marsh, his residence and his time. In the last nine years, the DNR has captured and banded 331 wood ducks, 306 mallards and 58 other ducks and geese on Sluka's pond.

"More important than the biological data collected at Steve's pond is the social impact the activity has on the children of the area," Humphries said. "He provides a hands-on experience for youngsters, providing them with an opportunity to help capture the ducks, hold a live duck while it is banded, and he's even taught them how to tell the age and sex of a duck."

In 1997, Sluka also started helping the DNR trap and monitor radio-collared bears in northern Newaygo County. He continued to assist the DNR's Wildlife Division with this project until the last collar was removed from a bear in 2003.

Sluka, a recently retired Consumers Energy maintenance supervisor for the company's hydroelectric dams, lives in Bitely with his family.

PLEASE NOTE: A photo of Steve Sluka is available from the DNR online. To obtain it, please go to: http://www.michigandnr.com/ftp/OutReach/.