A Grand Forks Herald reporter and editor has been recognized by a national conservation organization for his work as an outdoors writer.
Brad Dokken, who has overseen the Herald's outdoors section for more than two decades, on Friday was named the recipient of the Duck Unlimited Conservation Communications Award.
The organization's 2020 Wetland Conservation Achievement Awards were presented Friday in Omaha, Neb. The winners were spread among six categories and, according to Ducks Unlimited, recognized those who have made outstanding contributions to the conservation and restoration of North America’s wetlands and waterfowl.
“Brad helps his readers see the connection between conservation and opportunities for outdoors people,” said Ducks Unlimited Regional Manager of Communications Becky Jones Mahlum. “Because people enjoy his entertaining stories of fishing and hunting, they pay attention to what he says about decreasing numbers of wildlife and places to fish and hunt.”
Further, a DU statement said "Dokken’s work as an outdoors writer has drawn attention to the connection between conservation and opportunities for fishing and hunting."
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Dokken is a native of Roseau, Minn., and graduated from Bemidji State University with a degree in mass communications. He started at the Herald in November 1985 and, after working as a copy editor and feature writer, became the newspaper's outdoors editor and columnist in 1998.
"I am humbled and honored to receive this award," Dokken said Friday. "I've had the pleasure of working with Ducks Unlimited staff in Bismarck on a number of stories over the years, and to be recognized for that works means a lot to me. It's hard to put into words, really."
Herald Publisher Korrie Wenzel said Dokken's abilities are self-evident each Sunday, when the Herald's outdoors section publishes.
"Any newspaper that has a reporter that it can build a section around is pretty lucky," Wenzel said. "We always have seen Brad as one of those reporters. Not only do we know his content is well read, but I'm convinced he leads conversations and discussions about the outdoors and conservation throughout this region – which obviously is an outdoorsy part of the country. Not many reporters have built up that kind of credibility.
"We've also come to realize his content is important to Page 1 during the week, and not just the outdoors section on Sundays."
DU Chief Conservation Officer Karen Waldrop said the awards bestowed Friday are specifically received by those who share DU's passion for wetlands and waterfowl conservation.
"Ducks Unlimited relies upon a network of talented individuals to achieve our goals," she said. "Only through teamwork can we accomplish the steps forward needed to ensure a bright future for our wetland resources. We are pleased to honor these inspirational efforts leading the way for others to follow.”
