One week left to nominate colleagues
for a Commissioner's Award
 Deadline for nominations is Friday, Dec. 9
Next week is your final chance to recognize your colleagues by nominating them for the annual Commissioner's Awards!
The Commissioner’s Awards provide an opportunity to honor individuals and teams across the DNR who have gone “above and beyond” in their work during 2022 and who exemplify the DNR's mission and values.
The nomination categories are:
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Natural Resources Conservation: The work meaningfully contributed to our efforts to conserve and enhance the state's waters, natural lands, and diverse fish and wildlife habitats.
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Natural Resources Economy: The work significantly contributed to our efforts to develop and sustain strong job markets, economies and communities across the state.
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Outdoor Recreation: The work greatly supported and promoted Minnesota's outdoor recreation opportunities in order to meet the needs of new and existing participants.
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Operational Excellence: The work demonstrated operational excellence and continuous improvement in service to internal and external customers. This may include achievements in promoting a culture of safety at DNR.
The awards are intended to acknowledge work performed in 2022, or the final result of multi-year efforts that concluded in 2022.
Check out the Commissioner's Awards Intranet page for more information and to access the links for the online nomination forms.
 Now that the bulk of deer seasons have ended, and lakes, ponds and rivers are in various stages of ice formation, conservation officers are turning their attention to winter activities such as ice fishing.
The following are several highlights from the weekly Conservation Office reports.
Nov. 21, 2022
CO Chad Thesing (Albany) checked on anglers, pheasant hunters and archery deer hunters. Poor weather throughout the week kept activity to a minimum. He also helped a Nebraska game warden on a deer case involving a Minnesota resident. Enforcement activity included hunting pheasant without a license or pheasant stamp.
CO Garrett Thomas (Eagan) continued field training with COC Andrew Ladzinski. They checked local anglers along the Minnesota River after complaints of illegal net use. They also fielded two complaints of hunter harassment.
RTO Greg Oldakowski (Northwest) completed background investigations from a prior volunteer hunter education and firearms safety instructor course. Monitored fishing and ice conditions this week, as well as late-season waterfowl hunting. Additionally, he received several calls regarding open-water hunting laws.
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Nov. 28, 2022
CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls West) assisted the Kittson County Sheriff’s Office with a call about two mature buck deer locked together. After numerous attempts to get close enough to go “hands-on” with the bucks, it was determined the only safe way to dislodge the antlers was with a well-placed long gun round. A Kittson County deputy struck the main beam of one of the bucks, breaking the rack and setting both deer free to fight another day.
CO Vinny Brown (Northome) checked on small-game hunters and a few anglers taking their chances on some early ice. He also investigated spruce-top thefts: one investigation led to the residence of a person with an outstanding warrant. The individual was placed under arrest on the warrant and was found in possession of methamphetamine and a loaded handgun. Spruce tops were seized along with equipment used in the theft.
CO Alexander Birdsall (Waconia) continued field training COC Bulthuis this week. With warmer weather, ATV riders were out in full force. One ATV was observed doing doughnuts in a boat launch parking lot. Upon further investigation, the ATV was not displaying valid registration, had multiple riders over capacity, contained unrestrained juveniles without helmets, and was found to be trespassing on park property.
Holiday collection and reuse events
going on now at Central Office cafeteria
Until Friday, Dec. 9, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is holding several holiday collection and reuse events in the cafeteria of the Central Office in St. Paul.
These events include a clothing swap, treasures table, and a clothing and toiletry drive for the Union Gospel Mission.
Clothing Swap
South wall of the cafeteria. Bring in new or gently used clothing and place it on the appropriate table, and take anything home that you would like. Please do not bring items that aren't likely to be worn.
Treasures Table
West side of the cafeteria. Bring unneeded household items and take whatever you want, need or can use. Bring in items that are in "like new" or "very good" condition and especially items that could be used for the holiday season or given as a gift to someone in need. Larger items, like furniture, can be advertised with a photo and a phone number. No hazardous materials, appliances, or open cosmetics. Electronic items can be put out but you must leave a name and phone number in case the item is not taken.
Clothing and Toiletries Drive for the Union Gospel Mission
Barrel between west atrium and south wall. Donate new or gently used men's clothing. Most needed items include t-shirts and warm jackets (size 2X and 3X), new socks, underwear (size 30-36), bath towels and any toiletries.
Nov. 29, 2022
Commissioner Sarah Strommen and Deputy Commissioner Barb Naramore were joined by Joe Birkholz, a policy advisor with the Governor's Office, for the Nov. 29 Wireside Chat.
To watch previous Wireside Chats, including the Nov. 29 edition, head to the Wireside Chats Intranet page.
MNclusive hosting panel discussion on
trans families, trans rights
 Discussion will be held Dec. 9 from noon to 1 p.m.
In honor of Human Rights Day and Transgender Awareness Week, MNclusive is hosting a panel discussion focused on the experience of state employees who are part of trans families.
Panelists will explore the issues of transness, trans acceptance, and rights such as access to healthcare and public education through the lens of their family relationships. The discussion will be held via Microsoft Teams.
For more information or for a calendar invitation, contact MNclusive at ERG.MNclusive@state.mn.us
Give the gift of the outdoors this holiday season
 Spread the joy of the outdoors to friends, family
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has a variety of budget-friendly gift options for those looking to give a present to an outdoor enthusiast (or themselves) during the holidays. These gifts include subscriptions to the nature magazine, gift cards, Nature Store items, and lifetime hunting and fishing licenses.
Minnesota Conservation Volunteer
MCV magazine is packed with beautiful nature photography and compelling stories about Minnesota’s outdoors, making a subscription the ideal gift for nature lovers. Recipients receive a one-year subscription to the magazine and a card announcing the gift. Purchasers can contribute any amount to gift an annual subscription. The suggested donation for an annual subscription is $25. The gift can be purchased on the gift subscription page of the MCV website.
Minnesota state parks gift card
State park gift cards can be used for camping and lodging, state park vehicle permits, firewood, equipment rentals, tours, I Can! programs, and more. Gift cards are sent via USPS mail and usually take 10-14 days to arrive. Gift cards can be purchased on the state parks gift card page of the DNR website.
Lifetime hunting and fishing licenses
Give a gift that truly lasts a lifetime: a lifetime hunting or fishing license! Licenses are available for both residents and non-residents. Licenses can be ordered by calling the DNR License Center at 877-348-0498 to receive an application in the mail, or by downloading an application form and mailing it to the DNR License Center with payment. Costs vary depending on recipient age and license type and processing takes about three weeks. For more information, including the application form, go to the lifetime hunting and fishing license page of the DNR website.
Nature Store
State Park Nature Stores have an assortment of Minnesota state park apparel, jewelry, mugs, books, games and more. Merchandise is different at every park and some Nature Store locations are bigger than others. Head to the Nature Store page of the DNR website to find a nearby location.
Alumni and Volunteer Programs Director
Renée Hartwig
 A lifetime of public service
By Julie Forster, Minnesota Conservation Volunteer associate editor
Renée Hartwig has spent much of her career building the DNR’s volunteer workforce into a program powerhouse. Under her direction, more than 22,000 Minnesotans each year donate their time toward conservation efforts.
For 34 years, Hartwig has managed the DNR’s volunteer outreach program, which includes programming for all the divisions.
Hamline University in St. Paul recently honored Hartwig with a 2022 Women in Public Service Lifetime Achievement Award. The annual award recognizes women who have made a lifetime commitment to serving the public good. Hartwig was nominated for the award by Project WET Program Coordinator Janine Kohn, and received the award at a ceremony during the Women in Public Service Conference on Friday, Nov. 18.
"I nominated [Hartwig] for this award because she has worked to raise the bar across the field of public service and has paved the way for others to follow in her footsteps,” Kohn said. "She is so deserving and I'm delighted her exemplary career was recognized."
In the program Hartwig oversees, DNR volunteers have become a critical piece in the work of the agency. Volunteers donate more than 266,000 work hours at an annual value of more than $7.3 million. They conduct critical conservation work across a wide spectrum. They clear brush, conduct wildlife surveys, work at the Minnesota State Fair, and monitor state trails. They are campground hosts and firearms and snowmobile safety instructors. They collect native seeds to restore habitat on scientific and natural areas.
“I have always felt a sense of purpose in my public service positions,” Hartwig said. “From teaching leadership and life skills to connecting people to the outdoors, my career has been fulfilling and worthwhile. I feel lucky to work in a field I am passionate about.”
According to the award nomination: “Working within the structure of a state agency on a tight budget, Hartwig developed the DNR Volunteer Program from a legislative pilot project in 1986 into the largest volunteer program among Minnesota state agencies today. She does a remarkable job consulting with over 150 staff who coordinate thousands of volunteers.”
Prior to her work at the DNR, Hartwig was a university extension educator in 4-H and youth development programming in Shawano County, Wis. and in Dakota County where she taught leadership and life skills and coordinated conservation and agricultural learning experiences for youth and adults in the community. She liked the work, but the required nights and weekends did not provide much work-life balance.
“I enjoyed it immensely. I really wanted to find something similar where I would still work with the community in agriculture or plant science,” Hartwig said. She shifted gears to natural resources.
At the DNR, Hartwig created a volunteer program with structure and uniformity, setting up process and standards. Operational procedures were looked at more intensely and became consistent and centralized. Now, staff have 10 learning modules available on the Volunteer Programs Intranet page to get them up to speed on working with volunteers. The modules will soon be worked into the ELM system. Hartwig helped staff in the different divisions set up business protocols, such as accepting and registering volunteers for different activities. She is now at the point of launching new volunteer management software called Volunteer Impact. Rollout will occur in phases with staff in various divisions, starting with Parks and Trails. Eventually, the entire volunteer program will be digitized and automated, and thereby more efficient in tracking and monitoring volunteer work as well as keeping volunteer data secure.
“I love it because I get to know staff across all divisions and learn a little bit about what they do," Hartwig said. "I help them recruit volunteers by asking, 'what is the purpose of what they are doing,' and 'why would the public be interested in helping?' People need to see what is in it for them. We don’t all see the world in the same way. Not everyone is altruistic.”
Hartwig grew up a city kid in Oshkosh, Wis. and from an early age became involved in 4-H as she loved working with horses. Throughout high school, 4-H was her main extracurricular, and she competed at county and state levels.
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 Title: Alumni and volunteer programs director
Years at DNR: 34
Prior experience: Extension educator in 4-H and youth development programming in county university extension programs in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Education: Bachelor of Science in agricultural education with a minor in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls.
Family: Husband and three grown children.
Something coworkers may not know: "Raising and showing horses has been a life-long passion of mine. I have shown in dressage, English-hunter under saddle, western pleasure and ranch sorting classes. We have seven horses – two Percheron draft horses for pulling wagons and five American Quarter Horses. I also enjoy fly fishing, hiking and travel."
Bat!
 Photo credit: Deb Rose
Gerda Nordquist, Ecological and Water Resources, and Kelly Pharis, formerly Ecological and Water Resources and now Fish and Wildlife, inspect a little brown bat for white-nose syndrome in Soudan Underground Mine. Since this photo was taken in 2011, WNS has been confirmed throughout Minnesota. The most recent estimates of hibernating bats at Soudan Underground Mine and Mystery Cave show a decline of 97% and 94%, respectively. The northern long-eared bat was recently reclassified as federally endangered; the little brown bat and tricolored bat are under consideration for listing.
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