March 10, 2017

Tom Stevens, a computer support specialist, maintains computer equipment for DNR staff.

DNR websites and computer systems unavailable March 17-18

MN.IT@DNR will be making upgrades to the agency’s computer systems and web-based applications starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 17, until noon on Saturday, March 18. Save your work and shut down your computer by 4:45 p.m., March 17.

The following services will be unavailable statewide during this time:

•  Outlook running from work stations
•  Access to any files saved on the network/Share Drives
•  All DNR SharePoint sites
•  DNR public website
•  DNR intranet site
•  VPN access (Information Center telephones)
•  Any application/system owned and managed by the DNR

More information is available on our intranet site.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact mnitservices.dnr@state.mn.us or 651-259-5900.

Conservation science chats return

Conservation science chats return on Thursday, March 30, at 1:30 p.m. with a webinar presentation called “Keys to Understanding Minnesota’s Changing Climate.”

The chats, first established in 2011, are a forum for DNR employees to engage with the latest information on conservation science, management, and policy. They offer rigorous, science-based presentations that highlight leading natural and social science research, tools and approaches for conservation management and policy. The internal platform allows for free discussion and exchange among employees.

The 2017 chat series will kick off with a presentation on Minnesota's changing climate from Kenny Blumenfeld, a climatologist in the DNR State Climatology Office. The Climatology Office has drawn upon the best available science and high-quality data to produce a foundation of climate change information specific to Minnesota. In this presentation and discussion, you'll hear about which elements of the state's climate have already changed, which ones have not, and what the projections tell us to expect in the future.

Blumenfeld is a key staff member supporting the DNR’s Climate and Renewable Energy Steering Team (CREST), a group of deputy directors representing the DNR’s land managing divisions, that was formed in 2009. The group leads the development and execution of agency strategies to address resource management in the face of a changing climate. They provide climate change-related communication, education and training to DNR staff statewide, with the goal of department-wide coordination on climate change.

Most recently, they crafted the DNR’s Key Messages on Climate Change and are finalizing a scorecard to evaluate climate change work being done throughout the agency (as directed in Operational Order 131). To learn more about CREST, visit their intranet page.

The March 30 webinar will be broadcast live via WebEx from 1:30-2:30 p.m. The webinar link will be provided on the conservation science chats intranet page. If you need an accommodation for the webinar, contact Charlotte Riggs at 651-259-5306 by Thursday, March 16.

Commissioner receives Patriot and Seven Seals awards

Commissioner Tom Landwehr with DNR fisheries employee Andrew Wiering, who nominated Landwehr for the Patriot Award.

Tables were turned on Commissioner Tom Landwehr during the St. Paul Commissioner's Award Ceremony. The commissioner received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award and the Seven Seals Award.

The Patriot Award, presented by Mary Jane Morrison, ESGR ombudsman and Minnesota assistant ombudsman director, reflects efforts made to support military staff through practices such as flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, and caring for families.

The award goes to individual supervisors not to an entire staff or organization. An employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve must make the nomination. Andrew Wiering, with the Fish and Wildlife Division, working out of the Bemidji fisheries unit, nominated Landwehr. Wiering serves within C Troop, 1st Squadron, 94th Cavalry out of Cloquet.

The Seven Seals Award, presented by Tom Simonet, vice-chairman of Minnesota ESGR and area 7 chairman, recognizes significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative or support that promotes and supports ESGR’s mission. This award was presented to the DNR and accepted by Landwehr.

Jodi Dehn, DNR Yellow Ribbon military outreach representative, presented Landwehr with the Minnesota Wild Yellow Ribbon company challenge coin. She received the coin at a recent Wild game saluting military, veterans, their families and Yellow Ribbon companies and communities.

TIP program honors northwest region enforcement employee

Lori Wing, an office and administrative specialist with the Enforcement Division in the northwest region, received a plaque from Dennis Mackendanz, executive director of Turn in Poachers (TIP), at the Bemidji annual TIP banquet on March 2.

The plaque was given to her in recognition of her support for the TIP program, bringing the banquet back to the Bemidji area and for her 29 years of service to the DNR. The banquet was held at the Bemidji Eagles Club. Over 60 people attended.

The banquet is a fundraiser for the TIP program and the funding is used to provide reward money to callers providing information about wildlife violations that lead to an arrest.

Accessibility Training Courses in 2017

All of our electronic content needs to be accessible to all individuals – regardless of physical abilities. Training will provide you with the necessary tools and knowledge to make content accessible from the start. Plus, it will help you meet the State of Minnesota accessibility standard and Operational Order 132. Enrollment is now open for several free electronic information accessibility (EIA) courses. Find a course that works with your schedule on the EIA training page.

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