2022 Recipients

Awarded October 25, 2022 at the Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference, held in Green Bay, WI

Lifetime Achievement Award: Randy Schindle, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

The lifetime achievement award is being awarded to Randy Schindle in recognition of a lifetime of contribution to invasive species management. His nominator explained that “as a forester with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for approximately 40 years, Randy has experience throughout Minnesota managing forest and prairie ecosystems. Randy’s charismatic personality engages people of all backgrounds, ages, and genders to learn to identify and manage invasive plants. He works to eradicate terrestrial invasive species with The Prairie Enthusiasts, volunteers to instruct in college and high school classes, and keeps a strong connection with local, state, federal, and university experts. Randy's relentless work in south central Minnesota led to the creation of the Many Rivers Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts.” A retired board conservationist sent in a letter of support and shared that “Randy's love of nature, sense of humor and ability to inspire people has helped to make our world a little better here in south-central Minnesota.” A science teacher sent a letter of support sharing how Randy helped at their school forest. She noted that “two and a half acres is just a tiny fraction of the land Randy has managed over his time – the greater impact will be had through the knowledge and skills gained by the 1,000+ students who have been a part of this effort over the years. None of this would have been possible without Randy’s continuous support [and] willingness to teach me and our students.” As the nominator noted, Randy’s land ethic and management actions will influence multiple generations. 

Individual Achievement Award: Julia Bohnen, University of Minnesota

The individual achievement award is being awarded to Julia Bohnen in recognition of her statewide leadership on non-native Phragmites management. Julia has been instrumental in identifying and mapping non-native Phragmites, developing and implementing a state-wide management plan for non-native Phragmites, and working with wastewater treatment facilities to transition away from using non-native Phragmites in their reed beds. One nominator noted, “progress has been enabled by Julia’s epic fieldwork across the state, her expertise in invasive plant science and management, and her tireless outreach and technical support. If someone wants to identify invasive Phragmites, understand its ecology, or control it with an herbicide, Julia is the person to ask.” A second nominator wrote that she “has worked with many partners including University researchers, state agency staff, private landowners, EDDMapS staff, county staff, soil and water conservation district staff, and wastewater treatment facility staff.” A county agricultural inspector and a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources management expert both sent in letters of support and stated that Julia’s professionalism, willingness to help, and technical expertise has been of great help and are delivering great results. A nominator summarized, “Julia has advanced our state’s capacity to mitigate the impacts of invasive species and aid the recovery of affected ecosystems, with particularly significant contributions to Minnesota’s irreplaceable wetlands. We would not be where we are today in our capacity for coordinated, cross-jurisdictional Phragmites response if not for her outstanding contributions.”

Team Achievement Award: Sisters of Saint Francis - Environmental Committee

The team achievement award is being awarded to the Sisters of Saint Francis Environmental Committee in Rochester for their example in voluntary leadership. They manage their 116 acres of land as green space with a commitment to wildlife habitat, reducing the impacts of climate change, and with a significant commitment to invasive species management. Their nominator explained, “the Sisters of Saint Francis at Assisi Heights have been a quiet but steady example of environmental stewardship since they purchased the property in the 1950s. Over the last 15 years they have diligently worked to remove and manage invasive species including emerald ash borer, buckthorn, honeysuckle and garlic mustard. They’ve done this work in partnership with the adjacent Rochester city park, Indian Heights, and the Friends of Indian Heights group.” Additionally, “they have also enabled many community members to learn about and manage invasive species on their property including the Summer of Service Youth. Many local church groups and business entities have elected to provide community service hours to the Sisters of St Francis which has proven to be a rich and rewarding learning experience as well as contribute to the common good. The work not only aided in the elimination of invasive species, but also provided wonderful tools for team building, communication, organizational skills and readiness for greater challenges in daily life.”

Previous Winners

Awards were presented on October 12, 2020 at the Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference held virtually

Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Award For Individual Achievement
Presented to . Bill Grantges

Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Award For Team Achievement
Presented to
Rapid Response and Early Detection Team (R2ED), Three Rivers Park District

Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented to
Steve Chaplin, The Nature Conservancy

Awards were presented on October 15, 2018 at the Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference in Rochester, MN

Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Award For Individual Achievement
Presented to . John and Mary Peterson

Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Award For Team Achievement
Presented to
the Southeast Minnesota Rapid Responders

Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented to
Chip Welling

Presented on October 17th, 2016 at the Awards Luncheon Plenary Session at the Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference (UMISC) held in La Crosse, WI.

Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Award For Individual Achievement
Presented to
Jean Wagenius

Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Award For Team Achievement
Presented to
Minnesota Master Naturalist Program

Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented to
John Barten

Presented on October 21, 2014 at the Awards Luncheon Plenary Session at the Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference (UMISC) held in Duluth, MN.

Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Award For Individual Achievement
Presented to
Barbara Spears

Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Award For Team Achievement
Presented to the
MN Army National Guard Camp Ripley and St. Cloud State University

Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented to
Jay Rendall

Presented on October 30th, 2012 at the Awards Luncheon Plenary Session at the Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference (UMISC) held in La Crosse, WI.

Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council
Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Award
For Individual Achievement
Presented to
Marsha Watland

Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council
Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Award
For Team Achievement
Presented to the
Forest Pest First Detector Program

Presented on May 12, 2010 at the Awards Ceremony at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) Environmental Stewardship Workshop, St. Paul, MN.

Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council
Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Award
For Individual Achievement
Presented to
Tom Jacobson

Presented on November 9th, 2010 at the Awards Luncheon Plenary Session at the Minnesota Wisconsin Invasive Species Conference (MNWIISC) held at the Crown Plaza Hotel, in St. Paul, MN.

Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council
Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Award
For Team Achievement
Presented to
Wildlife Forever

Presented on October 27th, 2008 at the Minnesota Invasive Species Conference Awards Luncheon, Duluth, MN.

Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Award
Presented to
David Ragsdale

Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council
Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management
Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented to
Bonnie Harper-Lore