Jan 26, 2012

DNR roundtable

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.