WMA renamed to honor conservationist

Lee Rupp, 83 of Monroe, spent his life in Nebraska’s wild places. 

In his youth, he spent a lot of his time hunting and fishing.  

Rupp spent his life working outdoors as a fisheries biologist, state senator, outdoor writer and as a hunting and fishing guide. 

During his career he dedicated his efforts to educating youth about hunting and fishing. 

He worked for Nebraska Game and Parks Commission starting in  1972 for 11 years. 

His efforts to spread conservation awarenesses spread to celebrities like Roy Rodgers, Jimmy Doolittle, Paul   and Ron Evans. 

By the 1980s, Rupp decided to get into politics, being elected as a state senator for District 22. 

He used this position to create bills that would benefit Nebraska’s natural resources, including a bill to allow elk hunting in Nebraska.

He then taught at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln before retiring.

Rupp has written columns throughout his career and has continued to do so even into his retirement. His first article was published in The Columbus Telegram in 1976.

His dedication to conservation was recognized by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, who named a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) after him. 

The Lee Rupp WMA is located 1.5 miles south of Monroe.