DNR news releases, Sept. 16, 2013

MINNESOTA DNR NEWS #69                                                                             Sept. 16, 2013
All news releases are available in the DNR’s website newsroom at www.mndnr.gov/news.
Follow the DNR on Twitter @mndnr.

IN THIS ISSUE
3 DNR conservation officers accept new positions
DNR extends deadline to recruit new conservation officers
Get discounts at corn maze with hunting or fishing license
Question of the week: tree disease 

 

DNR NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

3 DNR conservation officers accept new positions

Three Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officers have accepted new positions within the Enforcement Division.

Capt. Tom Provost is the new northeast region enforcement manager based in Grand Rapids, replacing Col. Ken Soring who was named DNR enforcement director in June. The northeast region includes 55 conservation officers within six enforcement districts covering 11 counties in northeastern Minnesota.

Provost was formerly the standards and training manager at the DNR enforcement training center at Camp Ripley in Little Falls.
 
Provost began his DNR career in 1989 as a research assistant in the DNR’s wildlife wetlands research group before becoming a conservation officer in 1991. He was promoted to district supervisor in the Brainerd area in 1998 and named training manager last year.

Capt. Stacey Sharp is the new northwest region enforcement manager based in Bemidji. The northwest region includes 37 conservation officers within four enforcement districts covering 23 counties in northwestern Minnesota.

Sharp was a Nebraska state trooper from 1983-2005. He joined the DNR in 2006, serving in the Bemidji and Thief River Falls field stations before being named Bemidji area enforcement supervisor in 2012. He replaces Capt. Jim Dunn who is now enforcement’s grants manager.

1st Lt. Jeff Koehn, a former police officer, is the new DNR District 7 enforcement supervisor in Grand Rapids, replacing 1st Lt. Dave Olsen who recently retired. District 7 includes nine conservation officers covering Koochiching, Itasca, and Aitkin counties.

A lifelong hunting, fishing, and camping enthusiast, Koehn has been with the DNR since 2006. Previous assignments include the northeast regional ATV officer and the DNR Enforcement Division’s representative for the forest certification audit process. Koehn was named the DNR District 6 enforcement supervisor in Dec. 2010, and later the District 8 enforcement supervisor.

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DNR NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            Sept. 16, 2013

DNR extends deadline to recruit new conservation officers

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has extended the application deadline for its 2014 Conservation Officer Academy to Friday, Sept. 20.

The original sign-up period was Aug. 26 to Sept. 13 but reports of difficulty accessing the online application caused the extension, said Col. Ken Soring, DNR Enforcement director.

“By fixing the glitch and extending the deadline to Sept. 20 we’ll ensure a more complete applicant pool,” Soring said. “We’re sorry for any inconvenience.”

Questions can be directed to 651-259-5888.

Conservation officers work to ensure public safety and compliance with state game and fish, recreational vehicle, and natural resource commercial operation laws.

Applicants must have a valid Minnesota peace officer's license; or be eligible to be licensed by the Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training Board (POST) prior to the time conditional offers are made; or complete basic police training and be certified as a full-time peace officer in a state or federal law enforcement agency with which Minnesota has reciprocity and pass the POST Board reciprocity exam by the time conditional job offers are made.

Candidates must pass the general written exam to be admitted to other portions of the exam/selection process. Other portions of the process will include: oral interviews and completion of a comprehensive background investigation. Final job offers will be based on passing a medical evaluation, functional capacity exam and psychological evaluation.

The written examination will tentatively be held on Oct. 5 at Bemidji State University; Cloquet Forestry Center; Central Lakes College, Brainerd and the Minneapolis Convention Center.

All communication will be handled electronically. Applicants must have an updated email address on their resume or they may not be contacted by the DNR.

For more information and instructions on how to appy for the job, go to the DNR website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/enforcement/jobs/hiring.html. 

Applicants may go directly to the job posting, https://statejobs.doer.state.mn.us/JobPosting/1edcf664a94c0fc31914d5dcaf5bcde5/View.

To ensure consideration for this position, both new and returning applicants need to apply directly to posting number 131743000001 by checking the “Apply for this job” box near the bottom of the announcement.

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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                    Sept. 16, 2013

Get discounts at corn maze with hunting or fishing license

Kids and adults who have a 2013 Minnesota hunting or fishing license can get free and discount admission for the 101 Market Corn Maze in Otsego Saturday, Sept. 21, through Thursday, Oct. 31, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said.

This year’s theme is “Hunt and Fish Minnesota,” which features a corn maze depicting a deer hunter targeting his buck, a pheasant hunter with his dog and an angler with her catch.

“Just like hunting and fishing, mazes are a fun way to spend time with friends and family in the great outdoors,” said Jenifer Wical, DNR customer enhancement manager. “This partnership is a way to say thank you for purchasing a Minnesota hunting or fishing license.”

To receive this special offer, people should show their 2013 hunting or fishing license at the time of purchase. Discounts include either free maze entry (a $6 value) or $3 off a $15 dollar unlimited activity package. All tickets purchased under that license will receive the discount with a limit of six free admissions per license. Additional discounts cannot be used.

Marilyn Nathe Specht, event coordinator at 101 Market, said this new partnership with the DNR made sense. “Our themed corn maze promotes the great outdoors and for us this offer is a way to express our appreciation for those who have contributed to fish and wildlife conservation through their license purchase.”

The Harvest Corn Maze and Fall Festival at 101 Market will have activities beyond the corn maze like an animal-themed train, corn cannon, corn pit, duck races, jumping pillow, pedal carts, potato slinger, spider web and zoo. For directions and more information go to www.mndnr.gov/cornmaze.

Minnesota 2013 fishing and hunting licenses can be purchased on a mobile device or online at www.mndnr.gov/BuyALicense.
                                                          
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DNR QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Q:  It appears to be that time of year for tree diseases to surface. Is there anything homeowners can do to protect their trees from diseases and possible mortality, regardless of tree species?

A:  There are a number of things homeowners can do to help keep their trees healthy. Since many areas of the state are experiencing drought, a good place to start is watering the trees. Lack of water predisposes drought-stressed trees to insects and pathogens that can attack. Wherever possible, homeowners should give their trees about one inch of water each week.

In addition to watering, organic mulch, two-to-three inches deep and spread out three to eight feet from the trunk, will guard against lawn mower injury and keep roots moist. Homeowners should also avoid using weed and feed fertilizer products, which contain herbicide. While the product makes lawns look good, it does kill tree roots. Picking up and properly disposing of fallen leaves and tree branches can help prevent the spread of tree diseases now and next spring.

For more information go to DNR’s website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/treecare/index.html.

- Jana Albers, DNR forest health specialist