A June 23 story in The Sheboygan Press outlined that an unreleased study conducted to survey the climate of the Department of Natural Resources’ conservation warden program found employees generally unhappy with leadership and fearing retaliation for vocalizing agency problems.
According to the story by USA Today Network-Wisconsin’s Laura Schulte:
Known as a climate assessment, the study was conducted in early 2024 following several resignations and cases in which employees were fired, then filed legal cases, and subsequently were rehired by the DNR after it was determined they had not been terminated for a valid reason. The 38-page climate assessment shared the aggregate data gathered from conservation wardens within the DNR and highlights concerns shared by the 192 staff members, or about 74% of the warden force.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel obtained the climate assessment through an open records request. It does not appear that the documents have been made public outside the agency. The document reflected problems raised in multiple Journal Sentinel reports about the warden program.
Among the concerns, staff highlighted bureaucratic rules, high levels of office politics and unfair practices, in addition to emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and a reduced feeling of personal accomplishment.
The report says these stressors are likely among the causes for high turnover in the warden program. In another portion of the review, employees said that most communication was top-down and lacked transparency, and that top leadership avoided difficult conversations.
When concerns were raised with leadership, a reactive and defensive response often resulted, which some employees said made it seem like leadership “may care more about being right than listening.”
DNR Secretary Karen Hyun said the agency is taking the results “very seriously” and is working to implement solutions; Gov. Tony Evers did not respond to requests for comment.
