Steve Tessmann, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department statewide staff biologist, is retiring after 37 years with the department. Tessman began his career with Game and Fish as an environmental biologist in 1981 where he focused on both fish and wildlife, and was promoted to staff biologist in 1994.
As environmental biologist, Tessmann was extensively involved with reviewing and analyzing large-scale energy, water development and land-use planning projects throughout Wyoming. Those duties often involved negotiating with companies and agencies to adopt adequate wildlife protections and mitigation standards and practices. As staff biologist, Tessmann oversaw the waterfowl management program and was Wyoming’s technical representative to the Pacific Flyway waterfowl committee from 1994 through 2002 and again in 2013, he served twice as chair of this committee. In addition to those duties, he has served on several agency committees and working groups including the Mule Deer Working Group, Migration Corridor Working Group, Regulations Review Team and Hunt Planner Website committee.
In 2004, Tessmann wrote and published a chapter on wetland management in the book, “Wetland and Riparian Areas of the Intermountain West.” He chaired the Wyoming Bird Conservation Partnership from 2007 through 2016 during which time he wrote Wyoming’s Statewide Wetland Plan and helped write 10 regional plans. He and many partners have worked together to obtain over $5 million in external funding for wetlands conservation, restoration and management in Wyoming.
Tessmann’s contributions to Game and Fish policy are extensive, and he has written several literature reviews and articles on conservation topics. Tessmann’s technical editing skills were frequently tapped to produce quality reports, symposia proceedings and other publications for the department.
“Steve has been an integral member of the Game and Fish team. His level of commitment and attention to detail is commendable, and we’ve called him upon time and again to accomplish detailed tasks for the agency related to regulation, policy and public comment review,” said Doug Brimeyer, deputy chief of wildlife. “He insures that wildlife management techniques are held to highest standards, and his expertise and professionalism will be missed.”
During his tenure at Game and Fish, Tessmann was awarded the 2017 Wyoming Game and Fish Department Lifetime Achievement Award, 2007 Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director’s Award and 2006 Wildlife Division Employee of the Year. His last day is June 1.
