Contact an Expert

Aquatic invasive species specialists

Contact the individual in your region if you have questions on invasive species identification and management, purple loosestrife management and biocontrol, or prevention activities.

Report new infestations

If you suspect a new infestation of an aquatic invasive plant or animal, note the exact location, take a photo or keep the specimen, and call the AIS specialist in your region.

You can also contact an AIS specialist if you need information about one of the following permits:

Click to enlarge map.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

DNR Administrative Regions

Northwest Region
Park Rapids	Nicole Kovar	218-537-6100
Fergus Falls	Mark Ranweiler	218-616-2117
Northeast Region
Grand Rapids	Richard Rezanka	218-328-8821
Brainerd	Tim Plude	218-203-4354
Central Region
St. Paul	April Londo	651-259-5861
St. Paul	Jenna Nelson	651-259-5729
St. Cloud	Emelia Hauck Jacobs	320-223-7855
St. Cloud	Christine Jurek	320-223-7847
Southern Region
Mankato	Carli Wagner	507-389-8812
Hutchinson	Eric Katzenmeyer	320-753-0334

Watercraft inspection program

Primary contacts for questions about the watercraft inspection program, boat decontamination questions, and outreach for awareness events at water accesses.

Adam Doll, Watercraft Inspection Program Coordinator, St. Paul, 651-259-5056

Northwest Region
Fergus Falls	Michael Bolinski Inspection Supervisor	218-671-7948
Fergus Falls	Anna Ness Program Assistant	218-671-7942
Northeast Region
Brainerd	Jessamyn Foley Inspection Supervisor	612-232-8955
Central Region
St. Cloud	Christine Hokkala-Kuhns Inspection Supervisor	320-223-7845
St. Paul	Traci Eicholz Program Assistant	651-392-3117

Southwest Region
Hutchinson	Travis Kinsell Inspection Supervisor	320-753-0336

Local Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention

Primary contacts about AIS Prevention Aid and the DNR's role in local AIS prevention.

St. Paul	Tina Fitzgerald AIS Prevention Planner	651-259-5146
Brainerd	Doug Jensen AIS Prevention Planner	218-203-4355

Additional contacts:

Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Questions on aquatic invasive species permits, aquatic invasive species laws and regulations, education and public awareness, and risk assessment.	AIS Prevention Coordinator (vacant)
Terrestrial Invasive Species Technical assistance and biological control programs for land-based species.	Laura Van Riper Terrestrial Invasive Species Coordinator	651-259-5090
Aquatic Invasive Species Management Questions on technical and financial assistance for aquatic invasive plant management and permits for Invasive Aquatic Plant Management.	Wendy Crowell AIS Management Coordinator	651-728-0051
Training Questions on aquatic invasive species training programs for lake service providers.	April Rust AIS Training Coordinator	651-259-5706
Training Questions on aquatic invasive species training programs for watercraft inspectors.	Jeannine Howland AIS Training Specialist	218-203-4358
Training Questions about aquatic invasive species training opportunities in DNR southwest and southeast regions.	Felix Amenumey AIS trainer	651-259-5298
Aquatic Invasive Species Communications Media inquiries on aquatic invasive species, stakeholder relations, product development, and special events.	Greg Husak AIS Communications	651-259-5132
Supervisor of Invasive Species Program Questions on overall invasive species program, policy and direction, legislative issues.	Kelly Pennington Invasive Species Program Supervisor	651-259-5131
Aquatic animal biology Questions on biology of zebra mussels, spiny waterflea, rusty crayfish, invasive snails, and other invasive aquatic invertebrates.	Research Scientist (vacant)
Enforcement Questions on enforcement of invasive species laws.	Water Resource Enforcement Officers
Invasive Carp and Invasive Fish Questions on invasive carp management and invasive fish.	Grace Loppnow Invasive Fish Coordinator	651-259-5670
Invasive Carp Invasive carp eDNA.	Loren Miller Fisheries Research Scientist	612-624-3019
Aquatic Invasive Species Grants Questions on financial assistance programs for aquatic invasive species prevention and control.	Jake Walsh Grants and Research Coordinator	651-259-5164
Trade Pathways for Aquatic Invasive Species Questions on pathways of spread of aquatic invasive species and how to prevent trade-pathway introduction of new species into the state.	Invasive Species Prevention Program Consultant (vacant)

Aquatic Invasive Species