The papers document Aberg's involvement in conservation activities in Wisconsin from the 1920s to the 1960s. However, the majority of the collection consists of papers accumulated while serving on the State Conservation Commission and very little material pertains to his involvement with the Izaac Walton League or to his work in passing the landmark conservation legislation of 1927. Notes in the Society's files on contacts with Aberg during the 1950's indicate that he then had in his possession a considerable quantity of files concerning IWL. However, no such records were turned over to the Society after his death. The absence of documentation on Aberg's activities during the 1920's is in part compensated for by the inclusion of an oral history recorded in 1961 as part of the Wisconsin Natural Resources History Project.
For the period that they document, the Aberg papers provide an important complement to the official files held by the Historical Society on the Conservation Commission. Although a detailed comparison to the public record series was not made in processing these papers, a general review of several types of documents in the series (for example budget and financial reports) suggests that a significant amount of material in the Aberg collection is not contained in the official files. Researchers working on virtually any conservation topic from the 1930s to the 1950s would be wise to consult the Aberg collection.
The management and operation of the commission are documented mainly in the administrative files, the financial records, and the subject files. The administrative files, along with Aberg's correspondence, document his professional involvements while on the commission. The subject files contain a great deal of information gathered by Aberg from other sources. Subjects that are particularly well documented are commercial fishing, rough fish control, wildlife management, and conservation legislation. The papers also contain some information on Aberg's personal involvement in conservation outside the commission. However, these are fragmentary, with the bulk covering the 1950's to early 1960's. Documented groups include the Wisconsin division of the Izaak Walton League of America, a national organization committed to the conservation of natural resources; the Citizens Natural Resources Association of Wisconsin; the American Forestry Association; and the Midwest Wildlife Conference.
The collection is arranged in three series: Biographical and Personal Material, Conservation Commission, and Conservation Organizations. The conservation commission material is subdivided into administrative files, financial records, correspondence, and subject files.
Biographical and Personal Material consists of newspaper clippings on Aberg's life and accomplishments; speeches and addresses on conservation concerns; and correspondence, drafts, and a final version of his oral history interview conducted by the Wisconsin's Natural Resources History Project in 1961.
The administrative files of the Conservation Commission contain
correspondence, office memos, newspaper clippings, legal documents, and informational summaries concerning such matters as appointments to the commission, reorganization, policies, and personnel. The financial records, although not complete for the years Aberg was associated with the commission, include records not included in the official commission records. The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by name and chronologically thereunder. These files include exchanges with conservation commissioners, other state conservation departments, congressional leaders, local hunting and fishing clubs, and local resorts, and they generally concern administration of the commission, state government, legislation, and other conservation issues. Prominent correspondents include Frank N. Graass, Wallace Grange, Walter Scott, and Ernest Swift. There is also correspondence with related organizations such as the National Audubon Society, the Izaak Walton League, the Citizens Natural Resources Association, and the Wisconsin Conservation League.
The Conservation Commission subject files contain such material as correspondence, office memos, surveys, reports, proposals, newspaper
clippings, legal documents, legislative bills, and financial summaries. There is considerable information on Great Lakes commercial fishing, fishing regulations, and fish management; including arrests, violation hearings, net sizes, spearing of fish, fishing seasons, contract fishing, and rough fish control. Wildlife management topics include game farm experiments and administration, predatory animal control, public hunting and fishing grounds, wildlife refuges and preserves, and deer control. Legislation material addresses budget and appropriations, administration of conservation programs, establishment of state parks, land acquisitions, hunting and fishing regulations, and wildlife management.
Conservation Organizations documented include the Izaak Walton League. Material contains legislation information; programs, addresses, and newspaper clippings on conferences and conventions; correspondence; information bulletins; and constitution and bylaws. The Citizens Natural Resources Association material includes correspondence, newsletters, and information bulletins. The American Forestry Association correspondence and programs concern the annual meeting in Madison in 1957. There are also addresses and programs from the Midwest Wildlife Conference, the Wisconsin Silver Anniversary Forestry Conference, and the Wisconsin Conservation League.
