Natural Resources student Bryan Harvey of Aitkin and instructor Dr. Bill
Faber of Central Lakes College attended the Department of Natural Resources 22nd
annual Roundtable in St. Paul earlier this month. They were among about 350
invited conservation leaders who gathered at the request of DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr. The event focused on fisheries, wildlife and
ecological issues. Harvey was the only student not from the University of
Minnesota to be invited. He had been nominated by Dr. Faber. Of the seven
students invited, five were graduate students. The gathering provides hunting, angling and
conservation organization representatives the opportunity to share insights
with DNR staff and receive updates on the latest trends, research and natural
resource issues.
“The Roundtable is an important
gathering that provides an opportunity for conservationists of all stripes to
come together, listen, learn and share ideas for the betterment of our state,”
said Commissioner Landwehr. “Roundtable discussions help shape DNR decision
making on natural resource management, legislative initiates and policy
changes.”
Harvey, who served as president of
the Natural Resources Club at CLC last year, said he visited with the Division leaders
for Ecological and Water Resources, Enforcement, and Wildlife during the two-day
event. Following the introductory session, Harvey joined one of three
roundtables, choosing ecological and water resources.
Dr. Faber selected the wildlife
roundtable.
“Maintaining a healthy watershed
was the emphasis of the first half of our roundtable,” said Harvey. “The second
half dealt with aquatic invasive species, which interested me due to previous
work I have done through the DNR.”
The second day included a
presentation on a new bird management blueprint developed with Audubon
Minnesota.
Harvey said he was pleased to
attend and hear remarks presented by not only Commissioner Landwehr but also Gov.
Mark Dayton. “We had a productive dialogue. I was impressed by the people who
were there,” he said.
