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Staff Newsletter | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources |
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Jan. 6, 2023
In This Issue
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A look back at our 2022 accomplishments
Achievements include significant progress in conservation and natural resources management, connecting more people to the outdoors, and climate adaptation and mitigation
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recently released a summary of some of our major accomplishments in 2022.
“I am deeply proud of all that my colleagues at the DNR accomplished this year alongside our partners and the Minnesotans we work with and serve,” DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said. “We’ve made incredible progress this year and witnessed our collective efforts pay off with inspiring conservation successes. Our natural places are critical to the health of our environment, economy, and people, and key to what make this state an incredible place to live. I look forward to what the DNR and its partners can do together in the coming year and beyond.”
Some of the accomplishments listed in the overview include:
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4 The Outdoors
In October, we released the
4 The Outdoors report, which identifies four actions in four years that lead
to sustainable funding into the future. The DNR will work with Minnesotans on each of the areas to move toward
a future that values and sustains conservation and outdoor recreation.
Minnesota State Trail System
We expanded two trail systems by adding a bridge on the Gitchi-Gami State Trail, and 3.6 miles of paved bike trail connecting the Cut Face Creek wayside to Grand Marais. We also completed new trails and a trailhead at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area.
Outdoor Recreation Safety
We strive to connect people to the outdoors and help them stay safe. One of the ways we did this in 2022 was by producing a swift-water rescue video to provide consistent training and hiring an ice safety coordinator in response to increased numbers of people recreating on the ice.
All-Terrain Track Chairs
We introduced all-terrain track chairs which are now available at select Minnesota state parks. These off-road, electric-powered chairs empower visitors with mobility challenges to explore areas of state parks in new ways, ensuring all visitors have access to outdoor opportunities.
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Reminder: attend a Safety Standup Kickoff event
 Safety is a core value at the DNR and an integral part of our Culture of Respect. When you work safely, it shows your colleagues how much you value them.
The DNR is embarking on a Safety Standup campaign to reinvigorate our safety culture and enhance our safety practices. The campaign starts with the Safety Standup Kickoff event. It is an opportunity to hear an overview of safety at our department, personal safety stories from staff, and how we can better live out our commitment to safety.
The Safety Standup Kickoff is a required event for all DNR employees, so if you didn't attend the first event on Jan. 4, please plan to attend one of the other virtual sessions:
- Tuesday, Jan. 10, 9:30-11 a.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 11, 1-2:30 p.m.
Calendar invites and WebEx information were provided in an email from
Commissioner Sarah Strommen on Monday, Dec. 12.
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A shelter through the ice, illegal pike,
'Shop with a Cop,' and more
During the holidays, conservation officers throughout the state reported variable ice conditions and reminded anyone around ice that ice is never 100% safe.
The following are several highlights from the weekly Conservation Office reports.
Dec. 27, 2022
CO Derek Daniels (Lake Benton) monitored fishing and pheasant hunting. He also conducted a background investigation for a 2023 conservation officer candidate.
CO Dustin Miller (Windom) continued field training COC Bulthuis. He took enforcement action after a trapping investigation led to a failure to tend and failure to notify a conservation officer of nuisance trapping. He is also investigating ongoing
deer hunting cases.
WREO Jeff Humphrey (NE) updated several ongoing and dormant wetland and waters cases with conservation officers,
soil and water conservation districts, and local government staff. He also worked snowmobile trail enforcement and checked anglers on an area lake.
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Jan. 3, 2023
CO Chris Vinton (Perham) continued field training COC Znajda. The officers received a report of a shelter going through the ice on Rush Lake.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) helped DNR Wildlife staff with fur registration in Eveleth. He issued several license and site-validation violations during the slower-than-normal event. He also patrolled area lakes and snowmobile trail systems. He issued several snowmobile violations, including an individual who was found to be in possession of an illegal-length northern pike when spearing.
CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) checked ice anglers and monitored snowmobile activity, issuing various ice angling and snowmobile violations. He also talked to Cromwell-area youth doing snowmobile safety training.
'Shop with a Cop'
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District 10 Lt. Bret Grundmeier (left) and Alexandria-area Conservation Officer Mitch Lawler, were among a number of conservation officers who participated in "Shop with a Cop" events during the holidays in communities throughout Minnesota. |
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Know a college student? Tell them about our
paid summer internships
 The DNR has more than 200 summer internships available throughout the state for college students ready to start their career in natural resources.
There are many areas to choose from including lake habitat restoration, waterfowl banding and park operations. We offer memorable internship experiences by providing an opportunity to learn and grow in a hands-on environment – and it helps create a better Minnesota!
Applications are due by Jan. 31. For more information, visit the internships page of the DNR website.
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Winter contingency pumping has begun at
Canisteo Mine Pit
Pumping may cause unsafe ice conditions
The DNR has begun contingency pumping at the Canisteo Legacy Mine Pit to keep water levels below 1,318 feet for the protection of local community infrastructure.
The pumping will cause Canisteo water levels to drop, creating a gap between winter ice cover and the unfrozen water surface, resulting in unsafe ice conditions across the entire pit. Water from the Canisteo is flowing into nearby wetlands and Holman Lake in Itasca County, potentially causing unsafe ice conditions on those waterbodies as well. The DNR strongly advises that people and recreational vehicles stay off the ice this winter at the Canisteo, nearby wetlands, and Holman Lake.
Winter pumping at the Canisteo Pit will ensure the drain tile system in the city of Bovey will continue to divert groundwater away from residential structures. The pumping system is located on the east side of the Canisteo and is drawing water from the pit at a maximum rate of 11,000 gallons per minute. The water is being discharged to a wetland complex that flows into Holman Lake.
For more information:
 Video credit: Nick Frantzen
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Safety Administrator Joni Akerson
 Safety Administrator Joni Akerson and her nephew.
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Keeping staff safe
By Laura Backman,
Operations Services information officer
DNR Safety Administrator Joni Akerson tells people that she fell into safety.
Early in her career, Akerson worked as a purchaser for a metal manufacturing company. She started reading through the Safety Data Sheets that came with the chemicals she ordered for the organization. Her curiosity sparked a career in safety.
“I really felt a strong desire to inform the people working with chemicals about the hazards they faced and what they could do to stay safe,” Akerson said.
From the metal manufacturing company, she moved on to other organizations working as a safety coordinator and safety supervisor. In 2008, Akerson started working in state service as a safety officer at St. Cloud Technical and Community College.
Over her nearly 20-year career in safety, she has been led by a desire to keep staff safe and well-informed.
“When working with hazards, I really feel people should be informed, feel in control of the ways to reduce risk, and understand what can happen when things go wrong,” she said.
At the DNR, Akerson works on the Safety Team with fellow safety administrators Trevor McMartin and Luke Peluso. Proactively, they work with staff to identify risks that can be controlled and offer mitigation strategies. After an incident, the team follows up with employees involved to identify how to prevent a similar incident in the future. They also manage compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration programs and provide training, including ELM safety training. As an advocate for DNR employees, Akerson wants to ensure everyone has what they need to go home safe every day.
“No one is perfect, we’re all human and safety needs to be part of how we live our lives," she said. "We need to watch out for each other and take care of ourselves."
Even safety administrators need a reminder to stay safe at work. Last summer, Akerson was helping Region 3 staff prepare for the Minnesota State Fair. She was loading fish into a pickup for transport to the fairgrounds. In her excitement, Akerson forgot
to use three points of contact when entering
or exiting a vehicle.
“I was in the bed of a pickup truck, jumped off the tailgate, and I did not use three points of contact. Another staff member cared enough about me to correct me,” she said.
Akerson was grateful for the reminder.
“We all have important jobs to do," she said. "Control the things you can by wearing your personal protective equipment, participating in trainings, and teaching others what you learn about safety practices from your experiences. Importantly, speak up when you see something unsafe. Anyone’s life can change
in a single moment."
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 Title: Safety administrator
Work location: St. Paul (Region 3 headquarters)
Been at the DNR: Eight years, since December 2014
Education: Business degree from Augsburg College
Hobbies: "I love to watch hockey games at the high school, collegiate and professional level. I even survived the outdoor Winter Classic game at Target Field last year. I love to paint, make various art projects, read, and travel with my family."
Family: "I have a pretty big family, including a 30-year-old daughter (who my other kids tease is my favorite), an 18-year-old son, a 15-year old daughter and I'm in the process of adopting my 5-year-old nephew. I also have a wonderful partner who keeps me in check when I start getting too many project ideas."
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The woods are lovely, dark and deep
Photo credit: Beth Johnson
The Twinkle Light Trail at Itasca State Park. The 3/4 mile trail is packed for walking, snowshoeing or skiing (no tracks) and illuminated nightly from dusk to 10 p.m. through the snow season.
More information is available on the Itasca State Park page of the DNR website.
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Submit to Spotlight
Send Spotlight articles and photos to newsletter.dnr@state.mn.us.
Next Spotlight is scheduled for Jan. 20. Deadline for content is Jan. 18.
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