Volunteering
Focus on Volunteers Fall 2009
Amberbeth VanNingen
Amberbeth visited several prairie restorations and collected three pounds each of various prairie wildflowers and prepared plants. According to Randy Schindle, Program Forester, Mankato, these were to be used for ash and emission testing of forbs that would be included in using prairie grass for energy production at a malting plant.
Thank you, Amberbeth, for collecting prairie forbs as part of a test firing for energy production.
Alex Tiffany
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Alex volunteered this last year to develop and publish GIS data in maps for public information and DNR Wildlife Management work. Chris Scharenbroich, NW Region Wildlife GIS Coordinator, Bemidji, states, “Examples of Alex’s work include public maps of State Game Refuges, Deer Permit Area boundaries, WMA Boundary Project Proposals, Land Type Association Summary reports for SFRMP work, County Soils data processing, and Bovine TB landowner shooting permit mapping.” Thanks for all your help, Alex!
Luke Sand, Mike Yager, Adam Brumbaugh, & Chris Zitur
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These three volunteers removed a total of 1,750 feet of barbwire fence from Pelican Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) last April. Each put in 10 hours of service. Nicholas Snavely, Assistant Area Wildlife Manager, Sauk Rapids, was very appreciative of their help!
Volunteers help with a variety of projects around the state during the year. Here are a few we’d like to highlight:
- Gerri Fitzloff, Project WILD volunteer
Gerri serves as a volunteer facilitator for Project WILD and Project Learning Tree early childhood educator workshops. Jan Welsh, Project WILD Coordinator says, “Her great energy and willingness to cover underserved areas in west central Minnesota have helped educators gain access to useful environmental education materials they can use in their classrooms.”
Gerri and her husband, Mike, have also volunteered to help staff the DNR education booth at Farm Fest in 2007 and 2008. Thank you, Gerri and Mike!
- Heather Hanson, Wildlife Research volunteer
Heather spent over 50 hours helping to organize data and manuscripts for a literature review of the impacts of lead ammunition on wildlife. According to Molly Tranel, Wildlife Research Biologist, Madelia, “With her previous experience in wildlife and research she was a valuable help during the project.”
- Richard and Marlys Hjort , Chisago City, Precipitation Observers
The Hjort’s have been precipitation volunteers for the State Climatology Office since 1970 and continue to be excellent observers. They have made an outstanding contribution to the base of knowledge required to understand Minnesota's climate and hydrology. Many organizations and individuals use the data that Richard and Marlys so diligently and accurately collect. Pete Boulay, Assistant State Climatologist, St Paul, says, “Their cooperation with the State Climatology Office is a marvelous illustration of volunteerism and public service, and we are grateful for their efforts. They are also keen watchers of their environment and make many interesting phenological observations.”
- Mickey Raddohl, Lake Lever Reader
Sandy Fecht, Surface Water Hydrologist, Lake Level MN Program Coordinator, St Paul, says, “Mr. Raddohl is one of our longest Lake Level Program gage readers as a volunteer with 28 years of service. Since 1979, he has submitted over 2250 lake level gage readings during the open water season on Hazel (Vogels) Lake in Wadena County.”
The information provided by volunteers so consistently is used to help give a better understanding of our water resources and its influences from year-to-year. Such conscientiousness in taking and reporting readings helps local water planners, zoning officials, DNR Waters, and others use the information to understand the lake and watershed and make sound management decisions. Thank you, Mickey!
- Sarah Botzek, Graphic Design volunteer
Sarah Botzek, a communications major at Winona State University, volunteered for Creative Services this past summer. Sarah helped upload more photos into the DNR Photo Library database, assisted on photo shoots, and completed numerous graphic design projects. “Sarah was able to help on projects where we just do not have enough staff or time to work on. This was a win-win situation because we were able to keep some projects moving and Sarah was able to add to her portfolio,” says Deb Rose, Information Officer, St Paul. Thank you for your assistance, Sarah!
- Brad Gadbois and Ashley Seelen, Law Enforcement Interns
Brad Gadbois is a Law Enforcement major at Bemidji State University. He was an unpaid intern during this past summer of 2008 working primarily with Conservation Officers assigned to Pine County. He also worked to a limited extent with Parks and Fisheries staff putting in a total 300 hours of work over the summer.
Ashley Seelen is a Law Enforcement major at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. Also an unpaid intern, she worked primarily patrolling with Conservation officers in the Mille Lacs Lake area. Ashley volunteered 125 hours with the CO’s.
Both Gadbois and Seelen received college credit for their hours of work. Thank you for all your help!
