Two local employees of the Minnesota DNR were honored and celebrated recently at a Commissioner’s Recognition Awards ceremony. Both Jamie Juenemann and Todd Ronning received awards for their exceptional accomplishments across all disciplines and all areas of the state and exemplifying the DNR’s mission and values, including natural resources conservation, outdoor recreation, sustainable economic use of natural resources, and operational excellence. All award recipients were nominated by their colleagues and coworkers for going above and beyond in their work with the DNR.
Jamie Juenemann was recognized by his peers for “displaying outstanding dedication and involvement in the development of the Conservation Easement Monitoring Program (CEMP) withing the fisheries section. Over the past decade, Jamie had been the driving force behind the creation and implementation of stewardship standards for Fish and Wildlife easements. He transformed a non-existent program into a well-run, statewide program in 2024.
Thanks to Jamie’s leadership and innovative efforts, the department’s monitoring of conservation easements has increased by several hundred per year. He has proactively built and streamlined administrative systems and protocols in response to this growth, His ability to free up capacity by creating efficient processes, coupled with his passion for environmental stewardship, has been fundamental to this expansion. In 2024, Jamie led the way be incorporating new technology to better track and monitor conservation easements, saving employees hundreds of hours of field and office work. His success stems from his keen ability to devise optimal solutions and build trust and confidence among professional his administrative staff.
Beyond his administrative responsibilities, Jamie’s role expanded to include multiple collections and archive-related activities. He has identified potential stream conservation acquisitions and led efforts to secure many of these easements. Jamie also collaborated with conservation organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy, to conduct multiple tree plantings within conservation easements, incorporating climate adaptation strategies to plant climate-resilient tree ad shrub species.”
Todd Ronning’s coworkers noted him as a “skilled and principled grounds worker at Gooseberry Falls State Park. His enthusiasm and strong work ethic reflect his commitment to the DNR’s mission of conserving and managing Minnesota’s natural resources, providing outdoor recreation opportunities, and supporting sustainable commercial use.
This season, Todd served as the liaison between the adult and youth CCMI crews, mentoring and training the crews on projects including the C-steps and staircase on a trail reroute beneath the Lower Falls, and constructing a new staircase to the Fifth Falls. He has a way of sharing his knowledge while bringing humor to projects making Gooseberry a favorite work site for CCMI crews. He also celebrates successes and develops a positive relationship with each crew member, teaching life skills that will inspire future careers.
As a responsible leader and role model, Todd emphasizes safety for himself, coworkers, and park visitors. He leads by example, adapts well to changing project scopes, and provides clear, organized directions. He wears appropriate PPE, ensures proper training, and provides hands-on safety training for various equipment. His trainings have been well-received by coworkers. Todd’s commitment to high-quality work is deeply appreciated. He is an inspiration to new staff and an invaluable asset to Gooseberry Falls.”
Congratulations to Jamie and Todd for your excellence in exemplifying the DNR’s mission and values.
