DNR news releases for Feb. 13, 2012

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources header

MINNESOTA DNR NEWS #10                                             FEBRUARY 13, 2012
All releases are available in the DNR's website newsroom at www.mndnr.gov/news.

IN THIS ISSUE
DNR names Forrest Boe director of Forestry Division
Take advantage of Take-A-Kid Ice Fishing Weekend Feb. 18-20
Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee appointed
DNR Question of the Week: Bald eagles

DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contacts: Chris Niskanen, DNR communications director, 651-259-5023; Forrest Boe, Forestry Division director, 651-259-5615.

DNR names Forrest Boe director of Forestry Division

Tom Landwehr, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), announced today his selection of Forrest Boe as director of the DNR's Forestry Division.

For the past 29 years, Boe has worked for the DNR in numerous leadership positions, most recently as the deputy director of the Parks and Trails Division. He spent 20 years of his career in northern Minnesota with the agency's former Trails and Waterways Division.

"Forrest has a long track record at the DNR of working closely with industry groups and citizens on complex issues, including off-highway vehicle and recreational trail access in northern Minnesota," said Landwehr. "He has demonstrated outstanding leadership at every place he has worked within the agency."

One of Boe's first jobs during and after college was operating his own forestry business, which included tree planting and management. The business was inspired by his father, a DNR forester for 39 years.

"I've had an interest in forestry my entire life," Boe said. "I look forward to working with our extremely talented forestry staff."

Boe said one of his main goals will be to balance needs of the forestry industry with the environmental aspects of forestry.

As Forestry Division director, Boe will oversee a $70 million annual budget and a staff of 350 employees. The division is responsible for protecting people, property and natural resources from wildfire on 45.5 million acres of land in Minnesota. The division manages 4.2 million acres of state forest land for wildlife, timber and recreation.

Division staff works with the forest products industry to provide 30 percent of the industrial wood fiber used in the state. The division also works to prevent disease and insect infestation on forest lands, and offers forest management assistance and advice to private forest landowners.

Jack Rajala, owner of the Rajala Companies, a forest products company based in Bigfork, was among the panelists outside the DNR who interviewed candidates for the Forestry Division position. "I was very impressed with Forrest," Rajala said. "He brings a lot of enthusiasm and knows a lot about natural resources. He likes to keep learning and facing new challenges."

St. Louis County Land Commissioner Bob Krepps said he has worked with Boe on parks and trails issues over the past six years, and is confident Boe will work well with northern Minnesota counties on forestry issues. "Forrest has always been extremely open with us," Krepps said. "He has the personality to reach out."

Scott Dane, executive director of Associated Contract Loggers and Truckers of Minnesota, was also on the interview panel. "Two things really impressed me about Forrest. He has a long history of working for the DNR, which is extremely important. And secondly, he demonstrated a solid understanding of managing people. He has the management skills to bring the Division of Forestry together to do its job in the most efficient and professional manner."

Another panelist, Pete Aube, woodlands manager for the Potlatch Company, a forest products company, said, "He will bring energy and a different perspective to the position. I look forward to working with him on the substantial opportunities in Minnesota forestry."

Boe began his DNR career in 1983 as a development specialist on the Root River Trail. In 1986, he became area supervisor for the Trails and Waterways Division in Brainerd. He became the division's regional manager working out of Bemidji in 2001 and division director in 2006. When that division was merged with the Parks Division, Boe was appointed deputy director of the new Parks and Trails Division.

Boe earned a Bachelor of Science degree in natural resource management from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He lives in Hastings, Minn.
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NOTE TO MEDIA: Image available at ftp://mediaroom.dnr.state.mn.us in folder named Forrest Boe image.




DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 FEBRUARY 13, 2012
Media contact: Roland Sigurdson, MinnAqua Aquatic Education specialist, 612-625-1291.

Take advantage of Take-A-Kid Ice Fishing Weekend Feb. 18-20

Minnesotans who want to introduce a child to ice fishing may want to take advantage of Take-A-Kid Ice Fishing Weekend Feb. 18-20. During those days resident anglers age 16 and older do not need a fishing license if they are accompanied by a child younger than age 16. This weekend is also an opportunity for kids to introduce an adult to ice fishing.

"Many kids now know how to make a jiggle stick and how to use it by attending our clinics or learning from classroom curriculum," said Roland Sigurdson, MinnAqua specialist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). "For kids eager to fish, Feb. 18-20 could also be called take an adult ice fishing weekend."

Sigurdson encouraged anglers venturing out on the ice to be extra cautious given varying ice conditions throughout the state. The best way to determine ice conditions is to check with local bait shops or the county sheriff's office. DNR ice safety information is available at www.mndnr.gov/icesafety.

Several Minnesota state parks are offering Take-A-Kid Ice Fishing opportunities during this special weekend. The clinics offer an indoor presentation on ice fishing safety, gear and techniques. Participants should dress for the weather because ice fishing will be among activities at most clinics. Kids will make their own jiggle sticks to take home.

Clinics are offered Saturday, Feb. 18, at Sakatah Lake State Park near Waterville, Scenic State Park near Bigfork, Bear Head Lake State Park near Ely, and Cloquet Middle School in Cloquet. Lake Bemidji State Park offers a Berrrmidji Kids' Ice Fishing event on Sunday, Feb. 19. Kids ages 8-15 can join the Lake Bemidji State Park naturalist for perch fishing on Lake Bemidji.

Participants must register for events by contacting the appropriate state park or MinnAqua staff at www.dnr.state.mn.us/takeakidicefishing/index.html.

Tips for a successful ice fishing trip are available online at www.mndnr.gov/minnaqua.

An educational podcast about ice fishing featuring Mike Kurre, DNR mentoring coordinator, and Mike "Smitty" Smith of "Ice Team" is at files.dnr.state.mn.us/news/podcasts/KidsAndIceFishing.mp3.
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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                FEBRUARY 13, 2012
Media contacts: Patricia Arndt, communications and outreach manager, DNR Division of Parks and Trails, 651-259-5578; Amy Barrett, Parks and Trails information officer, 651-259-5582.

Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee appointed

Appointees to serve on the Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee have been announced by the commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the chair of the Metropolitan Council, and the chair of the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Coalition. The first meeting will be Monday, Feb. 27, at the DNR's central office in St. Paul.

"We had an overwhelming response to our solicitation for applications and heard from more than 100 excellent candidates," said Tom Landwehr, DNR commissioner. "We're grateful to everyone who expressed interest, and especially to the charter members of this committee, who will have an important voice at an important time in our state's history."

Appointed were: Rick Anderson, Lyon County commissioner; Lynnea Atlas Ingebretson, Three Rivers Park District; Kathy Bergen, director of Duluth's Park and Recreation Department; Bob Bierscheid, retired Park and Recreation director, city of St. Paul; Angela DeMirjyn, park and trail user and business owner; John Filardo, DNR engineer; Nancy Hanson, Minnesota Recreational Trail Users Association; Brian Hubbard, Conservation Corps Minnesota; Chuck Kartak, retired DNR Division of Parks and Trails operation manager; Glenda Phillipe, Roseau County commissioner; Tom Ryan, Olmsted County Parks superintendent; Wayne Sames, retired DNR local and regional park and trail grants manager; Grumpy Sell, Dodge County Trail Association and Southeast Minnesota Association for Recreation Trails; Jan Shaw Wolff, DNR Central Region strategic program manager; Jenny Smith, Cuyuna Lakes Trail Association; Tom Stoa, Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota; Barry Warner, private consulting firm, park and trail design.

"We're very pleased with the diversity on the 17-member committee," said Susan Haigh, chair of the Metropolitan Council. "Members represent a variety of locations throughout the state, a diversity of ages, a balance of genders, and a diversity of skills and experience."

The purpose of the Legacy Advisory Committee is to promote and coordinate implementation of the 25-year Parks and Trails Legacy Plan, which was presented to the Minnesota Legislature in February 2011. The plan will guide the use of Legacy funding, specifically the Parks and Trails Fund, which receives 14.25 percent of the sales tax revenue resulting from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.

The four key goals of the Parks and Trails Legacy Plan are to:

  • Connect people and the outdoors – better develop Minnesota's stewards of tomorrow through efforts to increase life-long participation in parks and trails.
  • Acquire land, create opportunities – create new and expanded park and trail opportunities to satisfy current customers as well as to reach out to new ones.
  • Take care of what we have – provide safe, high-quality park and trail experiences by regular reinvestment in parks and trails infrastructure.
  • Coordinate among partners – enhance coordination across the large and complex network of public, private and nonprofit partners that support Minnesota's parks and trails to ensure seamless, enjoyable park and trail experiences for Minnesotans.

The plan specifies these guidelines for making Parks and Trails Legacy Fund decisions:

  • Achieve big, tangible outcomes that make a long-term difference.
  • Take a balanced approach to supporting a range of parks and trails needs, from acquisition, to development, to taking care of what we have, to restoration, to programming and marketing.
  • Understand regional differences – the needs, priorities, resources and existing infrastructure vary greatly across Minnesota.

"Clearly, we have our work cut out for us," said Marcia Larson, chair of the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Coalition, "but we have a broad range of experience on the committee, and a whole lot of passion, both of which will help to ensure a bright future for conservation in the state of Minnesota."

Initial terms will be for two or three years; subsequent terms will be for two years. The Parks and Trails Legacy Plan can be found at legacy.leg.mn/funds/parks-trails-fund/plan.
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DNR QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Q: I recently saw a bald eagle sitting on the edge of a nest. Isn't it pretty early in the year for eagles to be nesting? And if they are, how far away from the nest should I stay so as not to disturb the birds?

A: The first week in February is typically the time to look for bald eagles returning to their nests in Minnesota. However, since many bald eagles do not migrate, they may show up at their nests even earlier. Much more tolerant than previously thought, bald eagles are now nesting in urban areas. To avoid disturbing nesting eagles, when observing with non-motorized recreational activity, it is best to maintain a respectful distance of about 330 feet away.

-Lori Naumann, information officer, DNR Nongame Wildlife Program