DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MARCH–APRIL 2016

Sandhill Crane Revival Tracing the Mysterious Path of Ground Water Contents

36 Dancing With Grebes Young Naturalists meet a bird species with an unusual migratory route and a fancy dance routine. By Kathleen Weflen Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, March–April 2016 Volume 79, Number 465

see more online features

8 The Resilience of Sandhill Cranes Once common, then rare, this native bird has returned to Minnesota. By Carrol Henderson 20 Breakfast With Cranes A family connects with its Minnesota roots by counting sandhill cranes. By Melissa Meyers 24 Mapping Subterranean Waters A closer look at southeastern Minnesota’s hydrology leads to deeper understanding. By Michael A. Kallok CONGREGATION OF CRANES Watch the spectacle of 46 The Season of Mud thousands of cranes on the This essay celebrates the sweet, simple pleasures wing along Nebraska’s Platte of days in the sugar bush. By Joan Jarvis Ellison River where they stage each spring during their migration. mndnr.gov/mcvmagazine

Minnesota Conservation Volunteer (usps 129880) is pub- lished bimonthly by the Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155- 4046. Preferred periodicals postage paid in St. Paul, Minn., and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4046. Equal opportunity to programs of the Department of Natural Resources is available 48 AN INVITATION TO VISIT to all individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Jay Cooke State Park Discrimination inquiries should be sent to DNR Dramatic sights and sounds greet spring visitors. Affirmative Action, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4031, or the Equal Opportunity Office, Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240. For alternative formats, call 651-259-5365. Minnesota Conservation Volunteer is available online departments or mailed on request. An annual contribution of any amount ensures continuation of your subscription. 2 This Issue Printed on chlorine-free paper containing at least 10 percent post- consumer waste. 4 Letters © Copyright 2016, State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources. Permission from the publisher is required to reproduce or transmit in any form or 6 Natural Curiosities by any means. COVER PHOTOGRAPH: SANDHILL CRANE BY 52 Field Notes MICHAEL FURTMAN. OPPOSITE PAGE: WESTERN GREBES BY DOMINIQUE BRAUD. ABOVE LEFT: ST. LOUIS RIVER BY PAUL SUNDBERG. ABOVE RIGHT: 56 Thank you SANDHILL CRANES BY JIM BRANDENBURG. 72 Minnesota Profile This issue SANDHILL CRANES BY JIM BRANDENBURG What Makes You Happy? Recently, a reader sent me a note saying valley in Nebraska. After nearly a month that the 2014 March–April issue “has appar- of loafing and feeding, they resume their ently become my 2-year-old’s favorite. journey to breeding grounds. Minnesota’s When I went to wake her up this morning, wetlands provide the nearest nesting places I found it tucked in next to her in bed, with for greater sandhill cranes. its very own pillow and blanket! I asked her Not long ago, birders had only a slim why she liked this one so much, and she chance of spotting sandhill cranes in our said, ‘I just love it. And it makes me happy!’” state. In the July–August 1945 issue, Walter What brings you joy now? Breckenridge declared the sighting of a crane “Spring in the northern latitudes is an “a red letter day to the bird student.” auspicious time to be alive—a time above all Sights and sounds of this prehistoric to watch birds,” says Paul A. Johnsgard in his species are exhilarating and timeless. In book Sandhill and Whooping Cranes. “The March 2010 my husband, Lou, and I drove word auspicious is of pre-Christian origin to Nebraska to witness the migration spec- (from the Latin), meaning to divine the tacle. Before dawn, we arrived at a viewing future by watching the movement of birds.” bridge over the Platte. The river channel was In this issue Carrol Henderson tells the too dark to discern even the shape of a bird. story of sandhill cranes returning to Minne- Trusting that cranes were roosting below on sota—more of them show up every year. a sandbar, we stood still and quiet. The sky Like living history, the gangly yet elegant began to lighten. Then came scattered wake- cranes follow ancient flyways. As the species up calls. Calls quickened and echoed as the has done for millennia, sandhill cranes sun rose. Here and there, dark gray mounds navigate north in early spring. A half- stirred, stretching wings, popping up. A pair million stop for a layover in the Platte River of crane silhouettes lifted into the air. Bugling

2 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer back and forth, the two circled until a third bird, peeping, joined them. Then the trio headed south. And so the early morning flew by, as flocks of cranes took off toward farm fields to breakfast on leftover corn. A reader-supported magazine encouraging conservation and sustainable use of The scene on March 29, 2010, looked much the same as Minnesota’s natural resources. the one Breckenridge described in his field notebook on Magazine Staff March 28, 1945, when he visited the Platte River. He wrote: Editor in Chief Kathleen Weflen “Now about midmorning, after feeding in the fields, great Art Director Lynn Phelps Managing Editor Keith Goetzman skeins of cranes are beginning to rise and circle in the warm- Online Editor Michael A. Kallok ing skies where many white puffy clouds are contrasting with Database Manager David J. Lent Circulation Manager Susan M. Ryan the deep blue. Up and up, farther and farther, groups of thou- sands congregate, continually circling. Now like great river Subscriptions and donations currents or like smoke columns sweeping about, the flocks 888-646-6367 wheel. … Now they are all high, and I must listen intently to Governor Mark Dayton hear their calls at all.” An hour before sunset, Lou and I tucked ourselves into a Department of Natural Resources tiny wooden blind across from a sandbar. We focused our binoculars and waited for cranes to arrive. Shortly after the sun dipped down, we began to hear distant calling from the east. The chorus grew louder and louder. By the time cranes mndnr.gov came into view, the sound was overwhelming—uncanny, Our mission is to work with citizens to wild, tumultuous, thrilling. conserve and manage the state’s natural “The drama was so intense,” Lou recalls today. “It’s a resources, to provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and to provide for commercial sound unlike anything you’ve ever heard—from millions uses of natural resources in a way that of years ago. It’s an experience everyone should have.” creates a sustainable quality of life. We watched wave after wave of cranes land. The birds cupped their wings, dangled long legs, and drifted down to Commissioner Tom Landwehr the sand like so many parachutists. Just when all the space Deputy Dave Schad seemed to have been taken, another crane would alight in Commissioner Assistant Bob Meier an opening in the crowd. Commissioners Barb Naramore After dark, we crept away. Sarah Strommen Satisfied, we drove back to Minnesota to join friends in their maple sugar bush. That’s another story, and you can get Communications Director Chris Niskanen a taste of it in “The Season of Mud” in this issue. Trudging Division Directors Luke Skinner, Ecological and Water Resources through mud to collect sap can be joyful. Rodmen Smith, Enforcement Learn about another springtime marvel in “Dancing With Forrest Boe, Forestry Jess Richards, Lands and Minerals Grebes.” Explore disappearing streams and bubbling springs Laurie Martinson, Operation Services in “Mapping Subterranean Waters.” Almost certainly, you’ll Erika Rivers, Parks and Trails find some sign of spring to make you happy. Regional Directors Kathleen Weflen, editor, [email protected] Greg Nelson, Bemidji See a video of Nebraska sandhill cranes at mndnr.gov/mcvmagazine. Lori Dowling-Hanson, Grand Rapids Dennis Frederickson, New Ulm Keith Parker, St. Paul March–April 2016 3 Letters

“I read MCV cover to cover and look forward to each new issue. It satisfies a thirst I didn’t know I had.” —Susie Muelken

Find More Online climate change, lifestyle changes, and recre- This is the first time I have gone on your web- ational-use changes. Education is so impor- site—it is amazing! I always enjoy the maga- tant, and it’s what you do best. zine, but now I see all the good information Mike Vales, Minneapolis on your website. I especially enjoy the School Resources. I will make sure to show the grand- We are fortunate not only to live in Minnesota, kids, as they will love the information. Thanks in all its glory, but to also have the Volunteer for the great work. I will send some money to keep educating citizens of all ages. Never your way after seeing this. boring, always interesting, eagerly anticipated. Bonet Olson, Lake City Donna J. Schlueter, Bemidji A Newcomer’s Understanding Satisfying a Thirst I just read the online article that you sent a link My subscription came as an unexpected gift to (“First Shot,” Sept.–Oct. 2015), and it was from a friend. I am normally not a magazine great. I was very surprised that a newcomer reader. However, I read MCV cover to cover to hunting grasped the depth of hunting like and look forward to each new issue. It satisfies Pierre MacGillis wrote about. He probably a thirst I didn’t know I had. learned from Jay Johnson that hunting is very Susie Muelken, Prior Lake little about killing an animal but much, much more about getting back to nature and find- I was born and raised in Minnesota. It will ing out about the animal that is being hunted. always be “home.” I settled in New Hampshire Next, I hope, will come the understanding that after meeting my husband, and I spent a deer need our help in sustaining themselves career with the state as wildlife biologist. MCV through some of our rough winters and that it just helps to keep our excitement going. takes lots of work to make a deer’s “neighbor- Julie Robinson, Loudon, N.H. hood” as livable as possible. Chuck Bever, Milaca More Flower Power We need more flowers to help our native Education for Change pollinators. What can a small property owner You are working in difficult times with high do to help? expectations (unrealistic). What was once the Lisa M. Howard, Lake City state of our land and waters in Minnesota is See “Home Is Where the Habitat Is” in the undergoing change—by invasive species, March–April 2015 issue.

4 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer

contributors

Carrol Henderson, page 8, has been the DNR Nongame Wildlife Program super- visor for 43 years. He has been interested in sandhill cranes since he first observed them wintering in southwestern Oklahoma while he served in the U.S. Air Force at Altus, Okla., in 1972.

Melissa Meyers, page 20, is fascinated by the fact that so many birds migrate to Minnesota to raise their young. She hopes to visit the Platte River valley one day with her family to witness firsthand the great sandhill crane migration. On a gray morning in late December, photographer Erik Fremstad saw a hint of color in the sky near the mouth of the Temperance River. The color hung around long enough for him to capture this image of Lake Superior’s mix of frozen calm and turbulent beauty.

Share your photos of Minnesota wildlife at facebook.com/mcvmag. DEBORAH ROSE, DNR Online editor Michael A. Kallok, page 24, Response to “Bombing the Big Bog” spent two days in southeastern Minnesota I remember stories from my grandfather telling me about the with a DNR hydrologist and left with a new appreciation for the complexities of the military using the bog as a bombing range. He lived in Baudette. region’s water resources. Aaron Lefor, via Facebook Editor Kathleen Weflen, page 36, loves I was born in Kelliher in 1947 and grew up around the Waskish watching birds and telling stories, espe- area where my grandfather was a game warden. Never heard cially to young naturalists. She hopes to someday see all the springtime dances of about this, but did see, as a small child, abandoned buildings western grebes. on an old road on the shore of Red Lake. Jan Gauthier, via Facebook Joan Jarvis Ellison, page 46, and her family have for the past 33 years cele- Over 87,500 acres of the Big Bog is also designated as a brated Sunday mornings with pancakes and maple syrup they harvested from Minnesota Scientific and Natural Area. The Red Lake Peatland maple trees near Pelican Rapids. SNA affords state recognition and protection of this, the most diversely patterned peatland in the United States. DNR INfoRmatIoN CeNteR mndnr.gov Minnesota Scientific & Natural Areas, via Facebook 651-296-6157 Toll-free 888-646-6367, press 5 for MCV write to us DNR VoluNteeR PRogRams We edit letters for accu racy, style, and length. Send your letter 651-259-5249 and daytime phone number to [email protected] or state PaRks ReseRVatIoNs MCV Letters, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4046. 866-857-2757 mndnr.gov/reservations

tuRN IN PoaCheRs (tIP) hotlINe March–April 2016 800-652-9093 5 Natural curiosities

hungry hummingbirds weasel watching blind birds ice damage queen bees problem robins

I have a frozen chicken hanging from a pole outside of my window. Usually birds peck away at it, but recently a weasel started chewing at it. It bites the chicken and doesn’t move for a long time. Then it starts shaking like a mad dog and pulls off a very small piece of the chicken. Is the weasel heating up or adding saliva to the chicken to soften the meat? Jack Frerichs, Cook

Both your guesses seem plausible, says DNR furbearer specialist John Erb. Another

SHERALYN BARNES SHERALYN possibility: When the weasel first bites the I’ve put a hummingbird feeder outside my living- chicken, it expects the bird to fight back and room window the past four years. I noticed if I let holds tight for a while. When the weasel sees the feeder become empty, the hummingbirds fly there’s no fight, it figures it can get on with the up to the window and peer in as if asking, “Do you gnawing business. Whatever the explanation, know the feeder’s empty? I see you just sitting on you’ve found a fascinating way to add a little the couch.” I’m concerned that if hummingbirds entertainment to a long Minnesota winter. get too dependent on my sugar-water feeder, they may not be getting nutrients they need from nectar. Also, since hummingbirds pollinate plants, What might cause blindness in birds and squir- does using feeders reduce pollination? rels? I saw and photographed more of these poor Al Martin, Merrifield creatures last summer than in previous summers— mostly finches, but also one robin and a squirrel. Hummingbirds do recognize and remember Richard Green, Eden Prairie feeders from year to year, but they don’t completely depend on them, says DNR wildlife expert Lori Your feathered and furry friends most likely Naumann. They require an enormous amount have finch eye disease, a bacterial infection of of food and are adept at finding nutrition from the membrane that lines the eyelid and covers flowers, pollen, insects, and even sap in addition the eye. It can cause blindness. Bird feeders to our feeders. Besides hummingbirds, hundreds and watering stations can contribute to the of species of bees, moths, butterflies, and other problem by attracting infected animals and insects also pollinate plants. providing a place for the disease to spread. Tips

6 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer to prevent or stop the problem: Regularly clean bumble bees, larvae that have a longer feeding feeders and birdbaths with a 10 percent bleach period become queens. Only about 10 percent solution. Avoid using moldy seed. Remove of bee species are social, however. In the rest, all seeds beneath the feeder or cover them with females—not just specially raised queens—can snow. Use nonporous plastic, metal, or glass produce offspring. feeders. Provide ample feeder space to reduce crowding. Keep platform feeders clean and put out an amount of seed that birds and squirrels We have had robins try to build a nest on top of can consume in a day or two. the light near the front door of our house. I take it down as soon as they start. Will they go someplace else and start over? My parents have a cabin on Ten Mile Lake in Cass Greg Gallion, St. Paul County. Last winter ice destroyed the dock land- ing’s two steps, which were built in the 1950s, and noticeably changed the shoreline. What are the physics behind such ice heaves? Is it the wind, expansion of the ice, or both? Scott Gjevre, Clearwater

Ice damage to shoreline property is often caused by the pushing action of an ice sheet. When cracks form in ice, water rises to fill them. When water in the cracks freezes, the ice sheet expands slightly. Then, as the air temperature warms, the expanded ice sheet exerts tremendous force on the shore. Alternate warming and cooling of an ice sheet causes additional pushing action, which can BARNES SHERALYN move houses off their foundations and knock In such situations, robins usually go elsewhere over trees. Snow cover and other variable to nest, says DNR wildlife educator Jan Welsh. winter conditions can make a difference. She suggests tacking kitchen plastic wrap over the spot so their nest material won’t stick. The nest builders might get discouraged and leave. How does a bee become a queen? If you like having the robins around, build or Pete Nelson, Hastings buy a nesting shelf to put up on your property.

Honey bees produce new queens by building ask us large cells for a few larvae and feeding them a Send questions and daytime phone number special diet of only royal jelly—a combination to [email protected] or Natural of water, proteins, and sugars. These few larvae Curiosities, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN can develop into sexually mature females. In 55155-4046. Or post at facebook.com/mcvmag.

March–April 2016 7 Once common here, then rare, this native bird has returned to Minnesota.

By Carrol Henderson

8 The Resilience of Sandhill STEVE MAXSON Cranes MICHAEL FURTMAN DETAIL COURTESY OF JAY MATTERNES, SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM MATTERNES, COURTESY OF JAY DETAIL Crane fossils date to almost 10 million years ago, when mammals related to modern horses, canines, deer, and bears also lived. Among the world’s 15 crane species, sandhill cranes are the most The red crown atop the sandhill’s plentiful and widespread. They head is skin. With its sturdy bill, mate for life—a span of 20 to the sandhill crane can probe soil 40 years. for seeds, grubs, tubers, and other food. The bill’s tip can pierce a bit of food on the ground. Its serrated edges can latch onto slippery snakes, snails, and worms. MICHAEL FURTMAN

10 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer In late May 2015, my wife, Ethelle, and I went for a birding drive at Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area, just north of the Twin Cities. We enjoyed seeing wood ducks, painted turtles, and a rare Blan- ding’s turtle. But the highlight was the discovery of about 150 greater sand- hill cranes feeding in marshy grasslands. I have followed the recovery of Grus canadensis tabida in Minnesota for nearly 40 years in my work as supervisor of the Nongame Wildlife Program for the Department of Natural Resources. This was the greatest concentration of cranes I had ever seen at Carlos Avery. Watching and listening to sandhill cats. With sandhill cranes, we hear cranes is an awesome time-machine strident voices from the past. Their experience: Fossil remains of a crane trumpeting, trilling, and rattling calls from Nebraska go back 9 million are again reverberating across the years. This feathered survivor in- skies of Minnesota. habited North America’s temperate Once common across much of grasslands and wetlands in the com- Minnesota, sandhill cranes were pany of now-extinct woolly mam- among large birds like whooping moths, mastodons, giant beavers, cranes and giant Canada geese that

STEVE MAXSON camels, horses, and saber-toothed were decimated by market and sub-

March–April 2016 11 CARROL HENDERSON

sistence hunters during the 1800s. Cranes of shallow wetlands, surrounding grass- were shot at every opportunity from lands, pastures, and small grain crops like spring to fall. By the 1940s, no more than wheat. And they respond with good sur- 40 to 50 cranes remained in Minnesota vival and reproduction. in the Duxby bog near Roseau. The cranes we saw at Carlos Avery When conservationist Aldo Leopold WMA were nonbreeding subadults that wrote his essay “Marshland Elegy,” he will reach breeding age when about 5 considered the sandhill crane to be a wil- years old. Their abundance suggests a derness species: “The ultimate value in significant nesting population exists these marshes is wildness, and the crane in the region, part of a statewide re- is wildness incarnate.” At that time the surgence of this bird. State and federal crane was a wilderness species, because protection has allowed sandhill cranes remote places were its last stronghold in to stage a slow and remarkable recovery. an era of unchecked wetland drainage The Minnesota population now appears and excessive hunting. However, sandhill to exceed 15,000. cranes had a surprise for us: resilience! Given adequate habitat and protection Contemporary Cranes. The great- from poaching and overharvest, cranes er sandhill crane is one of two species of can get along quite well in the presence cranes native to Minnesota. (The other is of modern agriculture and urbanization. the larger whooping crane.) The greater They recognize good habitat—a matrix sandhill crane stands about 4 feet tall, has

12 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer JIM BRANDENBURG

a wingspread of nearly 7 feet, and weighs Look for sandhill cranes in open habitat— up to 14 pounds. Its body is usually me- marshes, grasslands, farm fields—where they dium gray. The crown of bare skin on top glean seeds, grubs, and grains. Omnivores, they of its head is red on adults. Young and also eat small rodents, reptiles, and amphibians. adult cranes may appear rusty in appear- ance because they sometimes “paint” to 40 years. Those cranes nest in marshy their plumage with iron-stained clay. habitats from Aitkin, Carlton, Pine, Mor- When I was hired as nongame wildlife rison, and Crow Wing counties south to supervisor, one of my first projects was the Iowa border. They migrate to winter- to determine the status and distribu- ing areas with a mix of pastureland, pine tion of sandhill cranes. A volunteer net- plantations, and wetlands in Indiana, work of about 60 observers reported to Kentucky, and Tennessee. Some of them me for three years. I concluded that the also winter in Georgia and Florida. statewide population was approximately Native greater sandhill cranes also 1,500 cranes in 1979. nest in at least 11 counties of northwest- The crane surveys revealed two popu- ern Minnesota. That flock is part of the lations of greater sandhill cranes in Min- midcontinent population that includes nesota: east-central and northwestern. lesser sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis The east-central population reflects the canadensis) that nest from Siberia to the expansion of cranes from western Wis- central Canadian Arctic. It also includes consin into Minnesota during the past 30 Canadian sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis

March–April 2016 13 Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge Sandhill cranes that visit or nest on this east-central Minnesota refuge are part of the eastern population. The first breeding pair showed up in spring 1975. By 2014 between 35 and 45 pairs nested here. During fall migration, this important staging area hosts thousands of sandhill cranes. As the chart indicates, the crane count climbed from 87 birds in 1992 to 11,331 this past fall.

Sightings Confirmed Probable Possible Observed

1977–1979 2009–2013

DNR surveys of sandhill cranes from May through August in 1977, 1978, and 1979 found open habitat in the northwestern Minnesota counties most likely to harbor sandhill cranes. By the 21st century, surveys for 14the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas turned up observations of cranesMinnesota in hundreds Conservation of locations. Volunteer rowani) from prairie provinc- and now merged in central Year Fall Staging es. Many cranes stage in north- Minnesota. It will be interest- Peak # western Minnesota in mid- to ing to learn what wintering 2015 11,331 late October before their fall areas these cranes select. migration to Texas, Oklaho- 2014 8,797 ma, and northern Mexico. A Season for Cranes. As 2013 6,534 The recently completed crane populations increased, Minnesota Breeding Bird At- farmers voiced their concerns 2012 6,755 las and the DNR Minnesota about crop depredation on 2011 7,527 Biological Survey both docu- agricultural lands. In spring ment the current distribution when newly planted corn is 2010 4,314 of sandhill cranes in Minneso- sprouting, cranes pluck the ta. When compared with the sprouts from the ground and 2009 3,377 1979 distribution map, these eat the kernels of corn. To ad- 2008 3,803 survey maps demonstrate dress this problem, the Inter- an incredible wildlife success national Crane Foundation 2007 2,781 story. Count totals for the past in Baraboo, Wis., worked to 2006 3,567 three years show an average of develop a federal license for 5,000 cranes in the northwest. a repellent to treat seed corn. 2005 3,710 In fall 2015, more than 11,000 The repellent, Avipel, is non- 2004 2,277 cranes were counted at Sher- lethal, with an active ingre- burne National Wildlife Ref- dient called anthraquinone. 2003 2,043 uge. It seems likely that most Sandhill cranes find seed corn of those cranes are residents, treated with anthraquinone 2002 2,607 since most Wisconsin-origin distasteful and learn to avoid 2001 1,947 cranes would likely stage at it. Although cranes avoid eat- Crex Meadows Wildlife Area ing treated corn, they remain 2000 1,342 in Wisconsin. in the cornfield to feed on 1999 1,092 The increase of crane num- crop pests such as white grubs bers in east-central Minneso- and caterpillars. The Minne- 1998 922 ta has given rise to two major sota DNR Nongame Wildlife 1997 622 studies on sandhill crane ecol- Program assisted the crane ogy, distribution, survival, and foundation with getting Avipel 1996 450 migration patterns by Univer- licensed for use in Minnesota. sity of Minnesota graduate The U.S. Fish and Wildlife 1995 240 students David Fronczak and Service authorized hunting of 1994 285 David Wolfson. These re- cranes in 1961 for the mid- searchers have observed that continent population, which 1993 80+ ranges of the northwestern includes cranes in northwest- 1992 87 population and the east-cen- ern Minnesota. A plan for a tral population have expanded hunting season was proposed

SANDHILL CRANE: BILL MARCHEL. LEFT MAP: DNR. RIGHT MAP: MINNESOTA BREEDING BIRD ATLAS, MADE POSSIBLE WITH SUPPORT FROM THE ENVIRON- MENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND AND OTHER DONORS. CHART SOURCE: SHERBURNE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. Courting begins when spring’s longer days trigger a release of hormones.

and implemented by the DNR in 2010. Fewer than a thou- sand hunters sought cranes in Minnesota in 2010, and they took 830 cranes. Since then the number of hunters has declined. In 2014 the number of active hunters was 401, and they took 247 cranes. Sandhill cranes are exceptionally wary and have excellent eyesight, so they have proven to be a challenging quar- ry for hunters.

MICHAEL FURTMAN Public concerns about the Cranes leap and bow in a display that they perform year-round. impact of the crane season in the northwest have subsided Lofty Views as the DNR has demonstrated In his essay “Marshland Elegy,” Aldo Leopold wrote, “Our its concerns for sustaining the ability to perceive quality in nature begins, as in art, with population. The agency added a the pretty. It expands through successive stages of the northwest crane breeding popu- beautiful to values as yet uncaptured by language. The lation survey and adjusted the quality of cranes lies, I think, in this higher gamut, as yet hunting season to better manage beyond the reach of words.” the population and ensure that Sandhill cranes have many endearing habits. Their overharvest is not a threat to the springtime ritual of “dancing” to attract a mate is cap- long-term survival of the cranes. tivating to watch. They mate for life, which can be 20 People have shown increasing years or more. Both parents feed the young, which are interest in viewing cranes. The called colts—probably because of their lanky legs. cranes’ graceful flight, captivat- Crane species around the globe appear in folklore, ing calls, impressive flocks, and art, and literature. In Japan the red-crowned crane signi- dancing traditions in spring can fies good health, longevity, fidelity, and good fortune. mesmerize even the most casual In China, cranes stand for spirituality, superiority, and of nature enthusiasts. Cranes are wisdom. Statues of cranes are featured in the Forbidden a powerful attraction for nature City of Beijing. Because cranes can fly to great heights, photographers. Chinese legend considered cranes to be messengers of The opportunity to see and the gods who carried souls of the dead to paradise. enjoy sandhill cranes is bet- Cranes can indeed fly high. Sandhill cranes have been ter every year at locations near

documented flying at 8,000 feet. the Twin Cities, including ROGER WILLIAMS

16 ROGER WILLIAMS

March–April 2016 17 Around 30 days old, a young crane has about half its adult leg length.

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. Detailed records from the refuge provide dramatic insight into what is happen- ing in eastern Minnesota. The first record for nesting sandhill cranes occurred in 1975. By 1990, 20 pairs were nesting at Sherburne. It appears that the refuge has reached its carrying capacity with 35 to 45 pairs in the annual count since 2008. Sherburne also emerged as a major fall migration staging area for cranes. The fall count rose from 87 cranes in 1987 to 8,797 in 2014 and 11,331 in 2015. That is certainly enough to attract quite a crowd of crane enthusiasts. When I wrote “Last Call for Cranes” for this magazine in 1979, I was encouraged by their steady increase and range ex- pansion. But I was concerned about their prospects for a continuing recovery. It seems I underestimated their incredible resilience. No longer a rarity, sandhill cranes are fairly wide- spread and common across much of the state today. My new message: Enjoy the cranes! They are a wonderful gift from the past. Their recovery reminds us of our continuing stewardship responsibility for all

of Minnesota’s native birdlife. nV WOLFE TAMMY

18 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer March–April 2016 19 20 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer By Melissa Meyers Illustrations by Bill Reynolds h t Cranes Breakfast Wi

A family connects with its Minnesota roots by counting sandhill cranes.

In the early-morning darkness, my 9-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter stood clutching notebooks, binoculars, and snack bags as they shivered in the brisk April air. A silver truck slowly pulled up to the side of the road. My aunt Joan opened the door, and we piled in and took off for our first sandhill crane count. Aunt Joan, a bird enthusiast, had for years participated in the an- nual sandhill crane count in Houston County in southeastern Minne- sota. Recently, she had traveled to the Platte River valley in Nebraska, where 80 percent of the world’s sandhill crane population gathers to feed and fatten up before they migrate northward to nest. We would be counting cranes from an eastern population. These birds typically make a stopover at Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in Indiana.

March–April 2016 21 I had moved back home to Minnesota out a shadow of a crane, majestic in flight. after a decade of living overseas, and was Throughout the morning we heard contact trying to introduce my children to all things calls, guard calls, and unison calls. Minnesotan. Besides sledding, ice-skating, Several times Emily and Malcolm walked and winter bonfires, I wanted them to expe- around to listen for birds. Both ended up with rience the wildlife. The sandhill crane count wet feet, but Aunt Joan was prepared: Socks sounded perfect. As part of an annual Mid- were pulled off and extra mittens placed on western count organized by the International shivering toes, bringing on a fit of giggles. Crane Foundation, we would collect data on The sky gradually turned hues of am- how many sandhill cranes we heard or saw ber, lemon, and cotton-candy pink over from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m. the reedy wetland. The colors danced and We drove to our designated counting site, merged with the fog swirling upward. We, an old farm bordering the lowlands of the the observers and uninvited guests, soaked Root River valley. We grabbed lawn chairs in the nature so easily missed due to ten- out of the back of the truck, along with dencies to sleep in and stay indoors. snacks and, for me, a Thermos of coffee. All the while, Aunt Joan kept track of the Mist from the marshland permeated the type of calls and the time we heard them. air. My children, Malcolm and Emily, skipped So did Malcolm and Emily. Emily’s journal along as frogs sang in surround-sound. Then, contained the following information: suddenly, a trill interrupted the chorus. Aunt Counting Cranes: April 18 Joan stopped short. “Listen,” she said. “That 5:30 contact 6:07 unison was a contact call.” 5:31 contact 6:30 unison Proceeding slowly to respect the cranes’ 5:38 contact 6:40 saw crane home, we listened for more calls until we 5:40 guard call 7:20 saw crane reached the edge of the wetlands. There 5:56 guard call we set up our post. Aunt Joan gave us a brief At 7:30 a.m. we packed up and started tutorial on the three main types of crane calls. down the road to Brownsville to meet other The contact call, low-pitched and soft, is used birders and turn in our official results. Sud- for “checking in,” because among reeds and denly, Aunt Joan slammed on the brakes. “I tall grass, it can be difficult for the birds to see don’t believe it!” she exclaimed. “There is a each other. The unison call of springtime is sandhill crane sitting on her nest.” She turned made by two sandhill cranes, standing near to Emily and asked, “How old are you?” Em- each other, to solidify bonding. The guard ily replied, “Six.” Aunt Joan said, “I am 60, call is a warning, either to ward off predators and I have never in all my years seen one on or to announce danger nearby. her nest.” A red-capped gray bird, with feath- Our little group settled in to listen with ers that had been preened with mud, roosted data sheets ready. A myriad of mallards on a grass-covered mound in the middle of quacked and flew overhead. Geese rose out a wetland. We couldn’t mark it in our official of the wetlands, their black silhouettes float- record. But later, when my children asked if ing across the pale gray sky. And we began to we could go again next year, I counted the hear more sandhill cranes. Malcolm pointed whole experience as a success. nV

22 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer March–April 2016 23 Subterranean

24 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer raphy by Debor B Photog ah Rose y , DNR Mic hael A. Kallok Mapping SubterraneanWaters

A seven-year project to learn more about southeastern Minnesota’s hydrology brings new awareness to the interconnectedness of land and water.

A raw April wind scatters ice pellets across the bare soil of a southeastern Minnesota farm field where Department of Natural Resources hydrologist Jeff Green assesses a bathtub-sized depres- sion. “This is a sinkhole,” he declares with an enthusiasm that seems exaggerated for such an unremarkable-looking natural feature. But to Green this is an entry point for understanding the way water moves underground in this geologically unique corner of the state. Lakes are absent here, but more than 700 miles of designated trout streams flow through this dramatic landscape of steep bluffs, caves, and wooded valleys. The cold water that supports trout flows from springs. In order to protect these springs from potential

DNR hydrologist Jeff Green sprays water into a sinkhole in an Olmsted County farm field as part of research aimed at protecting ground water.

March–April 2016 25 A dye trace begins when a nontoxic organic dye tices, land development, and chemical spills. (above) is poured into a sinkhole or other karst Most significantly, the project uncovered evi- feature. Water is then used to flush the dye into dence that water deep underground is more the sinkhole. Springs in the area of the sinkhole are susceptible to contaminants, such as nitrates monitored for traces of the dye. and pesticides, than previously thought. Fortunately, the springshed research is threats—pollution, demand for more water also leading to partnerships with counties as to irrigate farm fields, and land-use changes they look to better protect water resources. such as sand mining—it’s important to know where a spring’s water comes from and how Green’s primary tool for following the com- it gets there. plex intermingling of surface and ground With money from the Environment water is a technique known as dye tracing. and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Green On this day, he’s preparing to flush a liter of and University of Minnesota hydrogeolo- dark red organic dye and 1,000 gallons of gist Calvin Alexander recently concluded water into the sinkhole we’re standing over. a seven-year project to map many of the re- “We’re about to watch surface water be- gion’s springsheds, or basins where springs come ground water, right before our eyes,” originate. In this terrain of sinkholes and po- says Green. “There aren’t many places you rous underground rock, that work confirmed can do that in Minnesota.” that ground water is particularly vulnerable to It’s possible to see that movement here contamination from poor agricultural prac- because southeastern Minnesota is free of

26 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer the hundreds of feet of sand, gravel, and silt deposited across the rest of the state during the last glaciation some 12,000 years ago. Not far below the soil under our feet is a layer cake of sandstone, shale, dolo- mite, and limestone. Where we’re standing in this field near Eyota, limestone is closest to the surface. When precipitation mixes with carbon dioxide in air and soil, it be- comes acidic enough to dissolve limestone. Over time, vertical channels form in the limestone. Sinkholes appear when wa- ter and gravity carry soil into these channels. This dynamic landscape of soluble rock is known as karst. It’s found in other places around the world. Occasion- ally, karst’s most characteristic feature makes the news. In 2014 a sinkhole beneath the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky., swal- lowed eight classic sports cars. The odds of losing valuable property in a sinkhole here are pretty remote, says Green. A more realistic concern is an accidental spill of manure into one of these direct connections to ground water. Olmsted County feedlot tech- nician Martin Larsen, who joins Green conducts a dye trace (top) at the bottom of a rubbish-filled us, worries about this possibil- sinkhole. Since the 1970s the practice of using sinkholes as dump sites ity. He has trailered a large water has declined. Because the land around them can’t be farmed, large tank here for the dye trace. After sinkholes (above) appear as islands of trees and vegetation.

March–April 2016 27 28 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer rolling hose out to the edge of the sinkhole, dye turned up provide Green with enough Larsen starts a gas-powered pump. In a mat- information to map three new springsheds. ter of minutes, the water and dye have disap- peared underground through an opening in The connection between springs and the exposed limestone visible at the bottom of sinkholes is why the Minnesota Pollution the sinkhole. Control Agency has specific regulations On this day Green and Larsen pour dye for where manure can be stored or spread and water into four sinkholes. One at the in proximity to karst features. To farmers, base of a sunken fencepost is no larger than Larsen says, “Sinkholes are like a wart. No- a five-gallon pail; another is a steep, rubbish- body wants them, and nobody wants to filled depression large enough to swallow a say where they are.” small house. The type of dye used, the time, Larsen is a farmer himself, which gives and a GPS location are recorded at each. him credibility with landowners. And dye Green has been dye tracing since 1990, tracing often provides them with an incen- so he has a good idea where the dye might tive to do the right thing. “It makes farm- reappear. For these dye traces, Larsen has ers aware of what they’re applying manure placed mesh bags of charcoal, about the around,” says Larsen. “They can see what size of a deck of cards, at 16 nearby springs. they do on their ground affects the neigh- Organic dye will cling to the charcoal in bor’s ground water, the neighbor’s spring, these packets, known as bugs. Larsen will the neighbor’s well.” replace the bugs weekly for the next six After lunch we take Larsen up on an weeks. Bugs removed from the springs are offer to visit McConnell spring, where he mailed to a University of Minnesota hydro- has placed a bug. To get there we drive geology lab. There a device that measures to the end of a field road, then make our fluorescence can confirm the presence of way into a woods. Near the edge of a steep specific organic compounds found in the valley known as a coulee, we begin hik- special dyes used by Green. ing in switchback fashion until we arrive One bug was placed at Bear Creek spring at a small seep. Stepping carefully over about a mile northwest of the first sinkhole slick rocks, we move toward the sound of we visited. Typically, by the time dye reach- rushing water. An alcove interrupts the es a spring, it’s too diluted to be seen. But coulee wall on our right. At the corner, the six hours later, the landowner calls Larsen spring’s 25-foot-high grotto comes into to say his spring is running blood-red. view. Clear water pools at its base, then None of the other springs monitored tumbles in a narrow streambed over sev- turned colors, but eventually dye from all eral cascades before disappearing around four traces is recovered. The springs where a bend. The grotto provides a cross-section view of part of a group of rocks known as The upper portion of McConnell spring’s grotto wall the Galena formation. is limestone. The lower portion from which the water The Galena is characterized by rapid flows is recessed because it is a mixture of limestone underground flow through big conduits. and shale, which erodes more easily. Mystery Cave, for example, occurs in it.

March–April 2016 29 Sediment on top Sinkholes of bedrock Escarpment Springs Prosser Formation Outlying mesa capped Seeps by Platteville Formation Cummingsville Formation Decorah Shale Platteville and Glenwood Formations St. Peter Sandstone Prairie du Chien Group Upper Carbonate Plateau Sediment on top of bedrock Sinkholes

Escarpment Island Springs (or erosional remnant) Shakopee Formation

Oneota Dolomite ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF MINNESOTA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEOLOGICAL COURTESY OF MINNESOTA ILLUSTRATION Jordan Sandstone St. Lawrence Formation Lone Rock Formation

Prairie du Chien Plateau

Paleozoic Plateau is the term geologists use when referring to the region known as the Driftless Area. In southeastern Minnesota, the local geography is further subdivided into the Upper Carbonate and Prairie du Chien plateaus. Sinkholes form in the soluble limestone of the Prosser formation (top illustration) and the soluble dolomite of the Shakopee and Oneota layers (bottom illustration). Atop both these plateaus, there is very little surface water because precipitation quickly moves through the thin soil into cracks in the bedrock and sinkholes. Springs are natural discharges for ground water, and they occur in the Paleozoic Plateau where an incised valley cuts deep enough into the landscape to expose a layer of water-bearing rock.

Green says that during rain events here, In deeper formations, water’s path is water moves quickly from the surface to harder to trace. springs, making them susceptible to warm- ing or contamination. Ultimately this run- Southeastern Minnesota has two distinct off reaches trout streams such as Kinney plateaus of karst. Galena limestone crowns Creek, which is fed by McConnell spring. the Upper Carbonate plateau. East of Roch- The creek’s water flows into the North ester along Interstate 90 is a lower step known Branch of the Root River and quickly as the Prairie du Chien plateau, which is makes its way to the Mississippi River. topped by soluble dolomite. Karst features

30 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer such as sinkholes and porous streambeds, or sinking streams, are common here. Exit on Highway 76 and head south toward the Root River and deeper formations are vis- ible in roadside outcrops. Be- neath the heather-gray dolomite is orange-hued, coarse-grained Jordan sandstone. Next, a pale coppery green signifies the tran- sition to very fine siltstone, shale, and sandstone—known as the St. Lawrence formation. Farther south, just upstream of Corey Creek, a mix of fine-grained sandstone, siltstone, and dolo- mite is visible. This formation is known as Lone Rock. On the highway’s west side, a tidy white farmhouse with a red steel roof overlooks a pair of ponds. Upstream is a steep hill- side faced with a wall of stacked limestone and a wooden door. Behind the door, a spring flows out of the Lone Rock formation. It feeds cold, clean water to the brook trout in Corey Creek. A pump and pressure tank de- liver spring water to Harvey and Mary Krage. The Krages are naturally cu- rious about their spring. Since 1989 they have allowed the DNR to monitor its flow. “We’ve known from the get-go that Harvey, Justin, and Mary Krage (top) stand in front of their spring- the gem of this property is the house, which was constructed in the late 1800s. Near the springhouse, spring,” says Mary Krage. “Peo- Green measures the flow of the Krages’ spring by timing how long it ple ask why do we let the DNR takes to fill a five-gallon bucket. The DNR has been monitoring the on our property. Our refrain flow of this deep spring in the Lone Rock formation since 1989.

March–April 2016 31 Green stands in the Campbell Creek valley where a small undated 28 southeastern Minnesota coun- stream (above) sinks underground into the St. Lawrence ties. Torrential floods took seven lives and formation. Green determined via dye tracing that water caused extensive property damage. The from this disappearing stream travels underground Krages’ spring, which normally delivers for about a mile before emanating from a boiling sand 100 gallons per minute, jumped to 700 spring (opposite page) in the Lone Rock formation. The gallons per minute. Their springhouse dye trace conducted at this location was the first to con- was damaged, but the water piped from firm Lone Rock springs are vulnerable to contamination the spring to their home remained safe to from water sinking into the St. Lawrence formation. drink. Most likely, Green says, the source of the Krages’ Lone Rock spring isn’t di- has always been because we want to know rectly connected to the surface. more about it.” Following the flood, the city of Rushford The monitoring has produced valuable discovered contamination in two of its three data for DNR hydrologists on how deep wells. Six miles north of the city, a trapper Lone Rock springs respond to periods of noticed something peculiar: The water in drought and flood, according to Green. “It Ahrensfeld Creek was disappearing under- helped us figure out this system of rain falling ground as if its bed were a sieve. When the on the landscape, raising the pressure of the trapper notified the city, officials wondered aquifer, and pushing out the water,” he says. if surface water was somehow ending up in In August 2007, record-setting rains in- Rushford’s wells and contaminating them.

32 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Performing a dye trace on Ahrensfeld rence formation are not considered karst, Creek, Green found none of the dye ended there aren’t any regulations on where and up in Rushford’s wells. But to his surprise, how manure can be stored in the fields where the dye showed up within weeks in springs these windows to ground water are found. at the bottom of the St. Lawrence formation. “These springs are a lot more sensitive “It’s not supposed to do that,” says Green, than we thought,” says Green. He notes because the formation was long thought to the discovery has begun to spur discussion be an impermeable rock layer, or aquitard. with counties and the MPCA about how to Subsequent dye tracing found that even protect the deep aquifers that sustain trout the deeper Lone Rock springs had connec- streams and provide many local residents tions to surface runoff via sinking streams in with drinking water. the St. Lawrence formation. While shallower aquifers in the Prairie du Chien and Jordan Growing demand for silica sand helped have long been plagued with nitrate contam- spur the Legislative–Citizen Commission on ination from agricultural runoff, this finding Minnesota Resources to recommend trust- was “really significant because we thought fund dollars for the DNR springshed map- these St. Lawrence and Lone Rock springs ping project. The oil and gas industry prizes were protected. … We didn’t know they were the large, hard, uniform grains of Jordan connected to the land surface.” sandstone for propping open cracks in deep, Because the sinking streams of the St. Law- hydraulically fractured oil wells. The spring-

March–April 2016 33 Water rushes from a Jordan sandstone spring alongside Highway 76 (right) in the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hard- wood State Forest midway between Caledonia and Houston.

shed map Green created will be used to help inform whether a proposed sand mine could dis- rupt the flow of underground water to a spring. But the prospect of so-called “frac sand” mining in places where it wouldn’t harm springs isn’t Green’s primary concern. “This landscape is more frag- ile than people realize, but it’s not fragile in the way some people think,” says Green. While silica sand mining may affect ground water in some locations, he says agriculture is already having a very large regional impact on water. As we hike up the coulee away from McConnell spring, Larsen admits that visiting such places is one perk of his job, but more satisfying is helping landowners learn how to protect them. “Nothing makes me hap- pier than when I’ve worked with someone, and I drive by and I see a recommendation to not spread manure within a sinkhole watershed was fol- Jordan sandstone’s relatively round grains of quartz (top) were lowed,” says Larsen. He hopes shaped as winds blew the sand across the Earth’s surface some that awareness of the land’s 500 million years ago. Jordan sandstone aquifers are water-rich geology will lead a landowner because loosely cemented grains of Jordan sandstone (above) act “to be a good neighbor, to be like a sponge. a good steward.” nV

34 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer March–April 2016 35 ▼ oung Y naturalists

36 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer By Kathleen Weflen

D a n c i n g W i t h Grebes For these water birds, spring begins with a fancy dance.

Early one morning in late April, a Wildlife biologists believe these flock of black-and-white birds is fly- water birds have traveled all the ing in the clear blue sky above a shal- way from the Oregon and Califor- low lake in western Minnesota. The nia coasts to reach their summer birds fly with long necks stretched home on this western Minnesota out in front and feet trailing behind. lake. They are western grebes. They Could they be ducks or geese? Maybe are the only nesting bird species herons or cranes? in Minnesota that has an east-west Lowering their wings, the birds sail migration from the Pacific coast down to the water. Elegant as swans, to Minnesota. they float on the ice-cold water. Div- A western grebe (Aechmophorus ing in head first, hungry birds bring occidentalis) has a black head, dark up small fish in their thin, pointed gray back, and white neck, chest, and

DOMINIQUE BRAUD bills and swallow them whole. belly. A male grebe and a female

March–April 2016 37 grebe look similar, but she is a little mating season. The birds are ready to smaller and has a shorter, thinner bill. put on a big show for each other. In their feathered tuxedos, the grebes Each grebe is looking for a mate to appear to be dressed for a special start a family. To find a partner, males occasion. Spring is a special time— and females will dive, then rise up

Birds Rushing Grebes have many ways to tell each other ing couple does a move called barging: they want to get together. A grebe adver- Together they rise up and patter across the tises its presence by calling kreed-kreet. water with their feet while holding their Soon after arriving at the lake, a male bodies upright and nearly out of the water. grebe and a female grebe swim around as With bodies and heads low in the wa- a pair. Each one shows off to the other by ter, the two grebes face each other and dipping and shaking its head. The court- call back and forth. Thisratchet call is a

38 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer and glide across the water together Western grebe families nest in a like dancers. After a few days of this colony, a neighborhood of nests in a ritual dance called courtship, the part- marsh or a shallow lake. This story ners will mate, build a nest, and raise tells about western grebes mating a family of grebe chicks. and raising a family.

loud, harsh trill, made with throat bulg- the water. During this rushing, the birds do ing, head crest raised, and bill pointed at not call. The only sounds are the pattering the other bird. The red-eyed birds stare at of feet and the splashing of water. each other for a moment or two, then sud- Sometimes two male grebes will do denly arch their necks, turn to one side, lift this rushing ceremony to attract females. their wings, rise, and run across the water Sometimes a female joins them, and the together as if they were gliding across a trio skips across the water like a chorus ballroom floor. All at once, they dive into line of dancers.

WEED Dance After rushing, the grebe couple is almost ready to mate. They show this by the way they move. Face to face, almost standing in the water, they gaze at one another. With necks stretched, crests raised, and tails cocked, they trill at the same time.

TAMMY WOLFE TAMMY After a few trills, one suddenly dips its bill and forehead into the water, lifts up, and shakes a couple of times. The other does

the same thing. COURTESY OF BEAU LIDDELL Then the grebes swim away from each bob-shaking ends when one bird tosses its other. Each bird dives and comes up with plants away and lowers itself to float. plants in its bill. Now, both birds with After bob-shaking, the two grebes swim weedy bills paddle their feet while ris- side by side with bodies arched. Suddenly, ing vertically above water and moving one runs its bill through the other’s scapu- toward each other. Chest to chest, they lar (shoulder blade) feathers. They repeat shake their heads from side to side. This this bob-preening many times.

March–April 2016 39 Dinner Date Now that the male and the female grebe are mates, she begs him to feed her. KrDEE krDEE, she calls. If he dives, she stops begging. If he comes up with a fish, she begs even louder until he gives it to her. RON DUDLEY COURTESY OF BEAU LIDDELL

DOMINIQUE BRAUD

Build A Nest One morning, the male grebe leads the the floating nest in place, they wrap parts female to a protected place in the water of it around bulrushes or cattails. near bulrushes or cattails. He waits to After a couple of days, the nest is ready. see if she would like to nest here. Yes, she The female sits on the nest, lifts her feathers, answers by diving and bringing up some and clucks to show she wants to mate. The soggy plants. Then he dives too. Together male mounts her and trills as they mate. they pile up algae, moss, and stems of Then they do more bob-shaking and bob- aquatic plants to make their nest. To keep preening and add more plants to their nest.

40 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer DOMINIQUE BRAUD

Eggs to Warm and Turn One morning, the female grebe lays an birds take turns sitting on the nest, incu- egg in a low spot in the middle of the nest. bating the eggs. Each bird has a large patch The male stands guard to keep other birds of bare skin on the belly to keep the eggs away. He feeds her fish during the next warm. Once in a while, they turn the eggs three days as she lays two more eggs. The to make sure all sides stay warm.

Peeping and Pipping Inside the eggshell, during the next three weeks, the cells of the egg divide and the embryo becomes a chick. Loud peeping inside the shell means the chick is ready to pip— break out. Atop its black bill, the chick has a tiny white egg tooth. Late one morning in June, the chick begins to peck its tooth against the shell. In less than half an hour of ham- mering, the cracked shell breaks open. The chick hatches. Wet and peeping, the chick scoots to the rear of its dad. Dad moves a bit so the chick can climb up beneath his back feathers to stay warm and safe. In the next two days, the other two chicks will hatch and join the first chick on Mom or Dad’s back. TAMMY WOLFE

March–April 2016 41 AMMY WOLFE T

Babies on Board After all the chicks have hatched, the possible danger appears, the parent family leaves the nest for open water. makes a ticking call as an alarm signal. Living on the water is dangerous for a Then the chicks nestle deeper in the par- downy little bird. Even though it can ent’s feathers, staying quiet and hidden. swim, it cannot yet dive or fly away. A This way of living is calledback- gull could swoop down to snatch it from brooding. When Mom wants to take a the water. A northern pike or a snapping break from brooding, she lifts her body turtle could swallow it from below. A and flaps her wings to shake the young beaver or a mink could eat it. For safety ones off. They paddle over to Dad. He while they grow, the chicks ride on the stretches one foot atop the water so the back of a parent. If a human or other young can climb aboard his back.

42 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer TAMMY WOLFE TAMMY

Baby Food While one parent broods, the other finds young want to eat, she feeds the loudest, insect larvae (worms), crustaceans, and pushiest one first. Sometimes she passes tiny fish to feed the young grebes. Mom the food to Dad to feed them. clucks as she carries the food to her family. After a while, the parents will trade A young one pops up and begs. A bare yel- places. Dad will bring some bigger meals low patch atop its head turns bright red—a for the growing grebes. sure sign of hunger. The little grebe takes a minnow from Mom and swallows it whole. From its first day, the chick has also How People eaten feathers fed by the parents. Can Help Grebes Because she brings only one food item • Stay away from nest colonies at a time, the mother grebe makes many • Keep waters clean food trips each minute. When all the • Save wetlands • Tell your family and friends about grebes March–April 2016 COURTESY OF BEAU LIDDELL

Off Their Backs After about a month of back-brooding, grebes. To sleep, a grebe folds its neck and the young grebes have grown too big for tucks its head among its back feathers. all to fit on a parent’s back. The dominant By staying in a large flock, the grebes are young one sometimes hitches a ride. Both safer from predators. Some birds watch for parents still forage to feed their brood. danger. If a grebe sees a bald eagle soaring At night the parents and young ones above or hears a great horned owl hooting gather in a large bay with other western nearby, it calls to warn the others.

Diving In As the three juvenile grebes grow, they be- its neck out, pushes its head down into the gin to look and act more like adult grebes. water, and gives a strong kick with both They swim across the lake, paddling with feet. On rough water, the grebe springs for- one foot and then the other. Their toes ward and then down. When alarmed, the have lobes (pads) for swimming. To dive bird opens its wings partway, pushes itself for food on smooth water, the grebe sticks underwater, and beats its wings to escape.

44 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer DOMINIQUE BRAUD

Walk or Fly? With its long, narrow body and feet set far western grebes fly is during their spring back, the western grebe is a fine diver and and fall migrations. swimmer. But this water bird can barely In September the family joins a flock of walk on land. grebes and flies west. The flock travels at Since a grebe’s wings are small for its night and stops on marshes and lakes to weight, flying is a challenge. Like the rest and feed during the day. When the common loon, the western grebe faces birds reach the Pacific coast, they settle into the wind, runs across the water down on a bay for winter. surface, and flaps its wings fast to get up Next spring, western grebes will return in the air. Just about the only time that to Minnesota to start new families. nV

Teachers resources Find a Teachers Guide and other resources for this and other Young Naturalists stories at Mamndnr.gov/young_naturalists.rch–April 2016 45 46

Season Somewhere sprung, and sapissurging. Winterhasn’thas ended,spring yet the wind blowsthe over lake icebefore the it mud by noon, are for ideal sugaring. If firstthingthe in morning but melts to ground40 degrees, the when is frozen trails, the toto work, walk and to talk. with people return who year after year sweet, golden syrup. We share our days hands singes. We sap the boil down to firesthe untilthe hair backthe on of our of maple, ash, and ironwood and feed to sugar camp. We split 1-foot lengths fresh with scent the of spring, from trees bit. We five-gallon buckets carry sap,of make maple with syrup friends. responsibilities to play woods—to inthe we when time forsake our jobs and other mer comes of season the mud. Thisthe is and first the scent icecrystals the of sum maple trees on my lakeshore. Between bloodroot blossoms, sap the inthe rises bone-chilling cold and May’s crisp, white Nights below freezing and days above We tap maple trees with abrace and Mud of The between February’s between

- This essay first appeared in again, reached of season the mud. sugar bush—that we have almost, once we know that it is almost for time the andpasses winter comes again. Then until with friends summer woods the a day and ahalf, no more long days in to domytrying usual week’s work in mal. No more daily picnics, no more come and gone. lives Our return to nor ment, and say goodbye. tapsthe from trees, the clean our equip leaves upward toward sunlight. We pull Wilddried. pungent their thrust leeks have turned yellow and mud the has leaves. In early May last the drops of sap poke through mulch the of brown pale ing for open water. Crimson cup fungi of fly Canada geese overhead,- look a steady sapthe dripping into cans the sounds mudthe around deepens fire the pits, silence.in the As snow the melts and pecker out sends asharp rat-a-tat-tat The drumming of adowny wood black and white, branches against snow. bush is awonderful place to be. sap the whether or runs not, sugar the doesn’t shine, sap the may not But run. drops to 32degrees at night, or sun ifthe hits trees, the or temperature if the barely Another sugar inthe season bush has In March are woods the an etching in Minnesota Conservation Volunteer plink, plink, plink. plink, plink, By Joan Jarvis Ellison By JoanJarvis Otter TailReview. By April Vs n V - - -

RICHARD HAMILTON SMITH March–April 2016 47 An Invitation to Visit Jay CookeState Park Spring arrives boldly in son Dam and the Swinging Jay Cooke State Park, just south Bridge offers magnificent views of Duluth. Come late March or of the river. So does a hike along early April, the St. Louis River the Carlton Trail. Expert kayak- jumps from a sluggish 350 cu- ers arrive with the high water bic feet per second to a rush of to paddle challenging rapids 20,000, as it plunges through within the park.

the 8,938-acre park on its way Jay Cooke’s five camper cab- SUNDBERG. PAUL KAYAKER, to Lake Superior. ins are popular year-round, but “A lot of people come up spe- anyone willing to pitch a tent cifically to see the spring break- will likely find their choice of up,” says park naturalist Kristine campsites during winter and COURTESY OF BEAU LIDDELL. Hiller about the spectacle creat- early spring, says Hiller. : ed by the river’s seasonal torrent. The park was established in

The gorge below the Thomp- 1915 after heirs to Jay Cooke WAY MILKY

The Milky Way glows above Jay Cooke State Park’s Swinging Bridge in this long- exposure image taken at the cusp of dawn. 48 March–April 2016 49 This page, from top: Swollen with mid-April snowmelt, the St. Louis River surges beneath the Swinging Bridge in Jay Cooke State Park. Yellow lady’s- slippers bloom in late May. The St. Louis river cascades over ancient slabs of slate. Expert kayakers (right) enjoy the river’s class III–VI rapids inside the park.

(a banker from Philadelphia) donated the land to the state. It is home to abundant wild- life, including white-tailed deer, black bears, and timber wolves. May is prime time for seeing many of the 190 bird species that live in or visit the park. “We have 26 out of the 42 warblers in the state,” says Hill- er. “Some are passing through, but 20 of them nest here.” The arrival of warblers roughly co-

incides with the peak bloom- ing of spring wildflowers, says Hiller. Along the park’s 50 miles of hiking trails, 8 miles ALAN NELSON of paved bike trails, and 13 miles of mountain-bike trails, blooming highlights include ALAN NELSON, GARY trillium, spring beauties, trout lilies, hepatica, wild ginger, and wood anemone. While you can enjoy Jay SUNDBERG, GARY AUL , P

Cooke State Park’s rugged O T landscape anytime, the sights

and sounds of Lake Superior’s DNR PHO largest tributary shrugging off OP LEFT: winter’s icy grip are a great way T to welcome spring. Says Hiller, “It just feels energizing.” nV

—Michael A. Kallok, online editor CLOCKWISE FROM

50 March–April 2016 51 Field notes PATRICK WHERLEY, DNR FORESTRY WHERLEY, PATRICK A crew of 29 DNR firefighters helped put out the Davidson Lake fire in Canada in July 2015. The fire burned 25,000 acres, primarily jack pine forest, near Moose Lake (background) north of Grand Rapids, Manitoba. Minnesotans Battle Blazes The 2015 wildfire season was especially ranging from fire engines to helicopters to a intense in the western United States and Can- water-scooping Fire Boss floatplane. The -de ada. Fueled by drought conditions and a lon- ployment of Minnesota firefighting resources ger fire season caused by a warming climate, was among the biggest in decades, said Tom flames engulfed more than 18 million acres Fasteland, retired DNR coordinator of the of forest land from New Mexico to Alaska. Minnesota Interagency Fire Center. While many Minnesotans saw hazy skies and The DNR coordinates resources through red sunsets from those fires, a select group got MIFC. Minnesota expertise and equipment a much closer view: They helped fight them. also came from the U.S. Forest Service, From June to September, Minnesota sent Bureau of Indian Affairs and tribal entities, 846 people, including 337 DNR employees, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National to battle blazes in Canada and the West. The Park Service. These groups sent Minnesota state also delivered supplies and equipment firefighters, radio operators, and helicopter

52 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer crews. They also provided information officers and other Loon Checkoff behind-the-scenes players. The good news about tax “It was extremely busy,” said Fasteland, noting that time is that it’s your chance DNR firefighters had already been battling spring wildfires to directly help wildlife with in northern Minnesota. “Our fire season began in early a donation. When filling out March and went right till almost the last week in May. We your state income-tax form, had about a three-week break, and then we started moving support the DNR Nongame resources to Alaska. Alaska slowed down in the middle of Wildlife Program by checking July. We had a two-week reprieve—and then it started really the loon and choosing an building out West.” amount—or donate directly Many of the DNR-supplied firefighters are foresters who at mndnr.gov/eco/nongame. battle wildfires in Minnesota and are on standby to go out of state when the need arises. Two DNR foresters who an- One for the Trees Honor Arbor Day, April 29. Plant a tree. Visit a forest. Celebrate with DNR Forestry at the Three Links shelter in Rochester’s Silver Lake Park, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn more at mndnr.gov/arbormonth. Listening to Tradition Science and native knowl- edge needn’t be mutu- ally exclusive. Plants Have So Much to Give Us, All We Have to Do Is Ask: Anishinaabe Botani- PATRICK WHERLEY, DNR FORESTRY WHERLEY, PATRICK cal Teachings (University of At a remote camp, signs point to hometowns of a DNR crew battling the Minnesota Press) by Mary Davidson Lake fire. Helicopters delivered food and supplies daily. Siisip Geniusz is an invaluable swered the call in 2015 were Dan Wiley, who works out of reference for anyone wanting Cass Lake, and Jason Bland, based in Caledonia. to explore the nutritional, In late June, Wiley went to Missoula, Mont., as part medicinal, and cultural uses of of an “initial attack” fire crew that helped fight the Twin native plants. Recipes help the Creek fire and then the 1,326-acre Cape Horn fire. There reader convert new knowledge the crew supported an elite unit of “hotshots” perform- into fortifying foods and ing a burnout—intentionally setting fire in an area to rejuvenating medicines.

March–April 2016 53 Field notes

reduce fuel and create a firebreak. National Forests. That sprawling conflagra- “It was a compliment, we thought, to be tion grew to 68,000 acres before crews snuffed a holding crew for a burnout,” says Wiley. it out. At one point, Bland’s crew was working Watching 100-foot-tall Douglas firs torch up to clear fuel—tree limbs, woodpiles, shrubs— with a roar that sounds like a freight train, he from around cabins and other buildings so says, was “one of the most impressive things the structures would have a chance of with- I’ve seen yet in my career.” standing the oncoming blaze. A nearby thun- On another crew, Bland first went to fight derstorm created downdraft winds, which fires in northern Manitoba and then Wyo- fanned the fire into an inferno and forced the ming. Finally, he fought the Clearwater Com- crew to pull back to open fields. plex fire in Idaho’s Nez Perce–Clearwater “We just sat there and watched the fire blow COURTESY OF PETER DZIUK Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is among the plant species catalogued on the Minnesota Wildflowers website. Butterflyweed, the online field guide notes, is a “fantastic” garden plant that hosts monarchs and other butterflies. Name That Plant What is that plant? If you’ve ever found Created for nonexperts, the online field guide yourself asking this question when you’re is thorough and reliable enough to be trusted outdoors, there’s a good chance you can by experts as well. find the answer at the website Minnesota Since launching in 2007, Minnesota Wild- Wildflowers, minnesotawildflowers.info. flowers has catalogued more than half of the

54 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Field notes

out this drainage where we had been working,” would reciprocate with help if Minnesota Bland says. “After it was done, we went back had a high fire season. in and started assessing the structures.” It ap- For both Wiley and Bland, firefighting is a peared that most of them withstood the blaze, complement to their work as DNR foresters, but the area was blackened, with many ground since fire is a natural part of forest ecosys- fires still burning. “It was pretty intense seeing tems and the DNR is the primary agency for the power of what fire can do,” he says. wildfire response within the state. Providing firefighting help for other states “Going out West is a great way to get a lot and Canada is mutually beneficial: The -re of firefighting experience,” says Wiley. “It’s ceiving partner agencies reimburse Min- been an amazing learning experience for me.” nesota for assistance. And those agencies Keith Goetzman, managing editor state’s native plant species, including trees, ing what they were, she searched a field guide shrubs, grasses, vines, and other greenery. For until she found the plant name: New England each plant species, the detailed information aster. That discovery, Chayka says, “just snow- includes photos of flowers, leaves and stems, balled” and eventually produced the user- and fruit. You can look for a match for a mys- friendly online guide to plants in Minnesota. tery plant in a variety of ways. For example, Chayka, a computer programmer, designed search by color or category such as ferns or and maintains the site and writes most of the flowers. To find flowering times from April plant descriptions. Peter Dziuk, a photogra- through October, click on What’s Blooming. pher with a background in natural resources, Visitors to the site may also post notes on joined the effort in 2009 and provides most of plant observations. the photos. They both fact-check new entries The ultimate goal, says site creator Katy against trusted sources. Together they do 90 Chayka, is to cover the more than 2,100 na- percent of the work, with the rest coming from tive plant species found in the state. Aided a handful of volunteer contributors. Traffic to by a three-year grant from the Minnesota the site is seasonal, with nearly 50,000 unique Environment and Natural Resources Trust visitors during each of the peak months of Fund, she hopes to have about two-thirds of May, June, and July. the total done by 2017. You don’t have to go far to get started iden- The growth and success of the guide is a tifying plants, Chayka says. “Even in your testament to the power of curiosity. Before own back yard, do you know all the different she launched Minnesota Wildflowers, Chay- [plants] that are coming up in your lawn? Or ka says, “I didn’t know a thing about plants, your garden? Some things are very, very small, and I had no interest in nature.” Walking in so just get down in the grass and look around. a city park for exercise one late-summer af- It’s amazing what you can discover if you are ternoon, she spotted a cluster of small purple observant and are interested in learning.” flowers with golden yellow centers. Wonder- Keith Goetzman, managing editor

March–April 2016 55 Thank you

Thank you to every Minnesota Conservation Volunteer reader who gives an annual subscription donation. We gratefully acknowledge the following supporters who gave $50 or more in May–December 2015.

Anonymous (948) Chris & Nicole Anderson Jane M. Archibald Marian Barry Marlys Benson Curt & Sharon Aaby Craig & Karen Anderson Scott Armitage Paul & Vicki Barry Orion L. Benson Charles & Mary Abatte Dan & Lisa Anderson Marcy Armstrong-Dorau Trish Barry Vernon D. Benson & Edie Abnet Darwyn Anderson Christina Arndt Chad J. Barsness Anne E. Benson Gary & Connie Abraham Donald & Susan David & Pamela Arneson Wayne Barstad & Anne Henry Benz Jon Abrahamson Anderson Ross E. Arneson Kapuscinski William J. Benzick Tim & Patt Adair Donald G. Anderson Patrick Arnold Virgil Bartell Charles F. Benzie Fred & Jeanne Adams Donna M. Anderson Richard Arnquist Bonnie L. Bartels Carl R. Berg Rob Adams Erik Anderson Linda Arvidson Brad Barth Paul S. Berg Sandy Adams Gail Anderson Dean R. Ascheman Jim & Dawn Barthel Sally Berg Bruce Adelsman Gary Anderson Brian Ash Troy Barthelemy Nathan Bergeland & John M. Adolphson Gary G. Anderson Royal Ashburn David A. Bartizal Jillian Link Kirk A. Affeldt Greg Anderson James Ashworth Bryan Bartz Bruce E. Berggren Oliver Agerlie Gordon C. Anderson Lyle H. Ask Anita L. Bastiansen Jerry Bergmann Arthur H. Ahlbrecht & H. Gordon Anderson Jim F. Atkins Larry & Penny Bates Leslie & Susan Bergquist Sally Ahlbrecht King Howard W. Anderson Michael & Sandra David P. Battaglia Lorraine G. Bergquist Larry Ahlman Ingrid K. Anderson Atkinson Bill & Mary Ann Bauer Don Berheim Rick & Joan Ahmann James Anderson Guy Aufderheide Jay & Patricia Bauer Diane & Jack Bernard Lawrence J. Aho Jerry Anderson Kathleen A. Aug V. Bauer Jim Bernhard William D. Aho Jim Anderson Nancy & Gordon Gail D. Baumann Bruce A. Bernin Ken Akerman Joe Anderson Augustson Van Bautch Gary & Patricia Berntsen Tom Ala Karen J. Anderson Don & Darlene Austin Bob Bayard Eurgel Berry Abdulaziz Al-Arfaj Karin Anderson & Gary Averbeck Glen A. Bean James D. Bertrand David H. Alban Erik Scheurle Josie Axness Penny Beattie Biminita Berzina Mike J. Albers Karl G. Anderson Jada & Jake Aydt Dr. Robert C. Beattie Glen R. Bessler Linda Albert Keith Anderson Chuck & Judy Babcock Theodore Beatty Frederik Bethke Ellen Albertson Kenneth N. Anderson Mary M. Babolik Peg Beauchaine Patrick Bettenberg Craig & Lana Albrecht Larry Anderson Kay C. Bach Jill Beauregard Roger Bettin Selma Alfredson Lawrence Anderson Brian Bachman Ann & Tom Beaver Dona K. Bettinger Dorothy A. Allen Leo Anderson Phillip H. Bachman Dorothy Becher Michael & Pattie Betz Elaine Allen Marian L. Anderson Susan Backe Jonathan & Roger & Dallas Betz Jeff Allen Marlene Anderson Donald & Sandy Elizabeth Beck Steve & Cindy Betzler Mark S. Allen Martha & Renner Backerud C.T. Beckel Trisha Beuhring Neil & Sandra Allen Anderson William & Sandra John F. Beckel David A. Beulke Tom & Sally Allen Matthew Anderson Backowski Curtis & Mavis Becker Mary M. Beulke William G. Allen family Dorothy K. Backstrom Troy W. Becker Warren E. Beulke Donald & Maxine Allert Paula Anderson Byron Backus Art Beckman Noel Biebl Leila Allison Peter Anderson Donald C. Bacon Susan Beckman Rev. Paul R. Biegner Michael J. Allmann Randy L. Anderson Lois H. Bagley David & Karen Steve & Jeannie Biehn Martha Alm Dr. Roger L. Anderson Jerald Bahls Bednarczyk Rebecca Bierbaum Steven R. Almquist Rosella A. Anderson Edward L. Bailey Frances & Russ Beech Lee Biersdorf Tim R. Almquist Sigurd W. Anderson Gordon J. Bailey Jr. Robert W. Beedle Pat Bigelow Evelyn Alston Stan Anderson Walt & Ginger Bailey Dean Beilke Dr. Steven E. Bilben Jane Altavilla Steve & Annette Fred A. Baker Jr. Ramon A. Belanger Timothy J. Biljan Phyllis R. Alvin Anderson Lisa Baker William Belford Marilyn Billings S. Amacher Thomas R. Anderson Patrick Baker William G. Belford John Bintz American Glass & Tom Anderson Robert C. Baker Joan M. Bell Rick R. Birdsall Mirror, Inc. Tom C. Anderson Wallace L. Baker Jim Bellefeuille Kullen & Jeanne American Legion Club, Walter Anderson Denis Bakke Janice I. Belshan Birkeland Post 269 Warren & Donna Wayne Bakke Dennis Bendickson Roger Birnbaum Mike Amo Anderson Scott & Kathy Balke Jed J. Bendix Jerilyn R. Birnie Frank Amore Wayne Anderson James Ballenthin John Benedett Peg Birse Chris Amundsen Westen H. Anderson Duane Ballou Gene & Paula Bengtson John & Cindy Bisek Brent S. Amundson Patty & Grant Tom & Mary Banaszewski David W. Benjamin Richard E. Bittner Rodney Amundson Andreasen Warren Banks Karen Benjamin Bryce Bjerken Mary & Marc Andersen Chris Andresen John Bankson Robert B. Benjamin Robert B. Bjork Alvin Anderson Craig Andresen John & Catherine John Benschoter Judy Bjorke Angela Anderson Marguerite & Budd Baratto Carol Bensman Gordon D. Bjorklund Bernard L. Anderson Andrews Shirley L. Barber Clifford Benson & Lee & Judy Bjorndal Bob & JoAnn Anderson Thomas Andrick Nancy Barks Linda Enterline Robert K. Bjur Brian Anderson Robert D. Andring Bonnie B. Barnes Craig & Barbara Benson William H. Blackburn Carol R. Anderson Don B. Angell Nedra Barnes Jerome & Carol Benson Judith Blackford Charles W. Anderson Phil Antisdel Kandace K. Barrett Joanne Benson Juli & Mike Blaine GARY ALAN NELSON

Fred & Linda Blaisdell Reginald Boyle Wesley Bruemmer Vernon Cardwell John & Joan Chouinard Curt & Pat Blake James Boyne Robert Bruininks Benjamin J. Carey Jon Christensen Jerry Blakeborough Francis G. Braam Shari K. Brumm Geraldine & Tom Carey Mary L. Christensen Tiny & Roxanne Edward E. Braaten James Brundage Jim & Patty Carlen Neil & Theresa Blanchard Harold A. Brace Steve Bryant Alan A. Carlson Christensen Pat Bland Diane Brack Carl & Diane Bublitz Daniel R. Carlson Robert R. Christensen Bill & Beth Blank Jim Bracke Brian Buchholz Diane Carlson family Ron & Sharon Ed Blankenberger Debra A. Bradt Fabian J. Buckley Greg Carlson Christensen Donna Blazis Anthony V. Brama Bev Bucy James A. Carlson Brent Christenson Clara R. Bleak Gary Brama Peter & Mary Budge Jan Carlson & Eldon W. Christenson Rod Bleifuss family Edward C. Brandeen Susan L. Budig Gene Leclerc Eugene M. Christenson Charles W. Blesi Ruth Brandel Gerald T. Bue Jane & Denny Carlson Gordon Christenson Steve Bleskacek Jim & Judy Brandenburg Julie & Terry Buege Janet Carlson Jeff A. Christian Charlie & Elaine Blixt Larry & Dianna Richard & Katherine John & Sandy Carlson Laurie & Terry Liz L. Blodgett Brandenburg Buenger Laurence Carlson Christiansen Henry J. Blomquist Lynn & Wren Spencer Buerkle Linda K. Carlson Paul & Christi Marie Y. Blomquist Brandenburg Karen Z. Buggs Marian K. Carlson Christiansen family Michael Blomquist Steve & Janet Bratkovih Linda M. Buhr Marvin & Pat Carlson Thomas A. Christiansen Galen G. Blomster Rachel Breczinski Jo Ellen & Mary Carlson Gus D. Christianson Robert F. Blong Mark J. Breeding Dennis Buisman Merrill & Judy Carlson Carter A. Christie Delores Blonigen Wyatt Breimon Norm A. Buktenica Patrice & Roger Carlson Howard E. Christman Dennis Blood Greg Breining & Susan Sheri A. Buller Philip Carlson Owen Christoferson Suzanne Blue Kaneko Binkley Kathleen Bullick Richard & Greg Christoffel Janet Blume Richard Breitkreutz Rodney Bunkers Karen Carlson Alan Christofk Mark W. Boback Bill Brekke Cricket Buntje Richard C. Carlson David L. Christopherson Jon Bode Roger Brekken Cathy & Denis Burand Robert Carlson David J. Chuhel George & Mary Bodem Mervin L. Brenke Robert & Paula Buresh Robert & Ruth Carlson Constance Churchill William L. Bodensteiner Marcia & Randy Bill Burg Greg & Candance Robert L. Ciaciura Gary Bodie Brennan Randall Burg Carlstrom Diane Cina Karen & Ray Bodnar Michele Brennan Charles Burke Terry R. Carlstrom Albert L. Clark Sue E. Boehland Rita K. Brenner Jeanne Burke Craig Carmean Dennis C. Clark James W. Boehm Karen Breuninger Paul J. Burnett Jonathan R. Carnahan Jean & Malcolm Clark Dorothy F. Boen Claude Brew John Burns Stephanie & Jerry Clark Marvin L. Boerboom Erick Brewer Roger & Eileen Burnside Chuck Carpenter Robert E. Clark Greg Boettner Doug & Karen Brewers Jonathan M. Burris Carolyn Carr & Tom Clark Steven & Connie Bogard Paul & Trish Brewinski Elizabeth Burrows Jonathan Sellman John E. Clarke Peg Bohanon Robert A. Brezinski Harold H. Burrows James R. Carr James L. Classen Judi L. Bohm James & Janet Bricher Scott Bursch Ken & Lori Carter Jone Classon Julia L. Bohnen Michael W. Briggs Elwood E. Burseth Judith Cartier Aaron Claus Jill Bol Tom Briggs Robert & Beverly Carmen C. Caruso Will Clausen Roger & Joan Boleman James M. Brindley Burtness John P. Case Cathy Clauson Doris A. Bolton Darrell Brink Elizabeth Busa David J. Casey C.C. Clawson Barb & Roger Bolz John & Mary Brink Charles Busch Jim Casey Joan L. Cleary William J. Bond Gail & Gary Brisbin Joseph A. Busch Jr. Lori Cashman Martha Cleaveland Bruce Bonicatto Jacqueline Brix Lisa Busch Patrick & Shirley Caskey Barbara Clemens Timothy & Joan Bonner Robert H. Brix Nancy & Ted Buselmeier Ann & Mark Caspers Eugene Clement Wesley Bonow Robert R. Brock Larry L. Bush Keith Caswell Jerry & Rita Clement Marjorie & Jack Bonse Rollin & Noreen Karen Buskey Mark D. Cates Gerald Cleveland & Timothy Boonstra Brockman Arlo & Sharon Bussler Dennis Caughey Marge Anderson Ann Boothelmeyer Dan & Pat Brockton Julie Busta Danny Cavallin Thomas M. Clifford Robert P. Borchert Mary G. Broman Carla Bustrom William Cedarleaf Randall Cline Cliff & Linda Borgerding Larry & Dorothy Mike Butcher Centerpoint Energy Marion Clobes Deb A. Borgren Bromenshenkel John & Pam Butler Frank & Kathie Cerra Dr. Norman Coates, Boria family Bernard L. Brommer Raymond & Dr. John D. Cervenka Associated Dentists Margaret A. Born David E. Bros Veronica Byrne Joe Chadwick Michael & John Bornhoft Dean John Brose Matt Cage Marcia Chalgren Diana Cochran David S. Bornus Phyllis K. Brosnan Tim C. Callister Gordon & Philip Cochran Terry & Karen Borwege Mr. & Mrs. James C. Mary Cameron Claudia Chalmers Walter Coder Chris & Kathy Bosch Broten Philip J. Cameron Edward F. Chalupnik Bob & Diane Coderre Thomas Boser Dennis M. Brott Carol Campbell Sarah Chambers Lee Coe Charles & Marie Jeffrey A. Brown Corinne Campbell Karen Chandler & Tom Coffee Boudrye Joan H. Brown Mr. & Mrs. James R. Craig Schulz Dorothy Coffey Stephen & Nova Kathy Brown Campbell Wendy Chapdelaine Georgia G. Colter Boughton Michael & Lori Brown Robert C. Campbell Mike T. Chapman Bonnie A. Comer Frank Bouma Paul & Nanci Steve Campbell Don & Carol Helen L. Comnick Janet L. Bourdon Brown family Wallace Campbell Charpentier John Conda Richard & Carol Bowden Paul H. Brown Chris & Sheri Camper Thomas & Carolyn Chase Bill Conger Marian D. Bowser Peter T. & R. Jane Brown William M. Cannon Michael Chaussee David & Winnifred Jim & Ruth Bowyer Stan Brown & Cannon Falls Beacon Mary Chaves Conger Mark Boxrud Mary Terwey Cannon River Watershed Jeffrey Cheever Jeffrey A. Boyd Richard L. Brubacher Nelson R. Capes John E. Cheleen Michael R. Boyd Robert & Janet Bruce Renee M. Capra Joel Cheney Dana Boyle Edward Bruchu Eugene Carda Rudolph R. Chmelik 57 Thank you donate at mndnr.gov/mcvmagazine or call 888-646-6367.

Tom & Jana Conlin Jerome Daniels Doug & Lois K. Dion Jon C. Ebersole John Ernst Linda D. Connell Kim Danielson Blake T. Dirks Rodney Ebersviller Jim Ertl Craig Connelly Mark Danielson Scott Dirks Carolyn Eck Stanley & Julie John G. Conser Richard Danielson Stephen A. Dirksen Harvey & Carol Eckman Estabrook Doug Cook Ruth E. Danielson Sally Dischinger Matthew J. Eckman Kurt D. Estenson Marvin L. Cook Bruce A. Danks Juanita Disney Lee Edmiston DVM Allen R. Ettesvold Mildred Cook Deborah Danneman Deb & Bill Dixon Joyce Edstrom Edgar L. Evans Ron Cook Renee Danzl Iva M. Dodson Ed & Sara Egan Margaret M. Evavold David & Kim Cooke Harris I. Darling John Doepke Jim & Kathy Egan Wendy Evenson Carol A. Cool Virginia M. Darling Louis G. Doering Kevin Egan Charles Evenwoll Mike Coonrod William Darling Mairi Doerr Paul M. Egeland M. L. Everingham William Cooper Sr. Guyda Darnell Renee M. Doetkott Bill Egerer Randall G. Ewald Raymond O. Corbesia Steve Dascher Donald Doheny Robert & Deanna Egge Charles & Dan Corcoran Rita Dauka Mrs. John J. Doherty Gerald A. Eggert Norma Extrand Francine Corcoran Gretchen D. Davidson Mary Ellen Doherty Michael Eggert Dr. William E. Faber Linda Cordie Norma Davidson Richard Doherty Gilbert L. Eian Al Fack Cormorant Lakes Sue & Jim Davidson Thomas J. Dokman Harry Eichstaedt Marlene Fahning Sportsman Club, Charles Davis Ginny M. Dolence Dave & Anne Eide Dorothy Fairbanks Conservation Center Donald R. Davis Dottie Dolezal Gary Eidson Tim Fairclough Stewart Corn Joanie M. Davis Stephen & Jackie Gary P. Eilers Andy & Dru Faith Denis & Nancy Cornell Joy Davis Dombrovski David Eilertson Patrick J. Fandel William Cornell Joe & Sue Davison David & Bonita Jean M. Eilertson Greg Fangel L.E. Corniea Donald G. Dawson Donaldson Thor & Karina Einarson Jon & Carol Farchmin Miriam E. Cory John R. Day Daniel H. Donnelly Nancy & Larry Eisinger Anne E. Farnham Mike & Julia Costello Patricia Day Bob Donner Robin J. Ekstrom Malda S. Farnham Robert C. Coughlon Warren W. Day Larry Donovan John R. Eliason Donald & Lucille Farrell James A. Coulter Chad Dayton Timothy E. Donovan Byron & Betty Elkjer Ken R. Fastner Brian & Ann Counihan David D. Dayton Lisa Donth Vincent & Katherine Ella L. Robert & Ernest & Kathi Coursolle Edward N. Dayton Diane Dorland Deanna Ellestad Angie Faundeen Bruce & Connie Cox Gail K. DeBoer Eric Dornfeld Pat J. Ellias Mike Fautsch Dennis Cox James Deal Tom & Paula Dosland Steve Ellingson Ronald R. Fautsch Lannie Cragg Jeff & Susan Dean Darrell Dostal Bill & Diane Ellis Carlyle Fay Dan Craigie Lawrence Dean John Dotray Gordon Ellis Patricia A. Fay Bill Cranford Edwin S. Dee Erling Dotseth John P. Ellis Noel & Judy Fedje Paul Craven Jerry F. Dee W. Herbert Doty Kathleen A. Ellis John H. Fedje-Johnston Thomas L. Cress Larry Dee Rita Doucet &Tom Beer Robert Ellis Ron & Cheryl Lisa Cressman Robert C. Deeg Keith R. Dougherty Brian Ellsworth Fehrenbach Tim G. Crichton Bret L. DeGeer Bruce R. Douglas Donna Elsbury Dennis Feist Barbara Crist Rose Marie Degnan Paul J. Dovre Kim Elverum Percy Feldten Andrew Crockett Dave G. DeGrood Claire & Alan Downes Norman Emerson Kay & Nile Fellows Betty Cronin Barb Dehn Michael Doyle Mark Emme Berdean R. Felske Eleanor R. Crosby, The Bruce & Mary Deinken Mary Dragich & Thomas J. Emme Thomas J. Felton Crosswols Foundation Hans & Lynne Dekker John Pastor Dennis R. Emmen Rick & Nita Fenno James J. Crosby Patricia Delane Dot Drake Tom Eng Bridget Fensholt Bill Cross Al Deleitsch Marie Dranttel Connie Engan John R. Ferche Frank Crotty Carol L. Delmonico Jay C. Dregni & Richard Engan Robert B. Ferguson Carol & Joe Crowe Kathryn DeLuca Meredith Sommers Peter D. Engel William D. Ferkinhoff Dean Cumber Tamara Dennis Jonathan M. Drews John E. Engelhart Mike & Charlotte Ferlic Doug & Goldyne Ted J. DeRoode Ron & Carolyn Drude Robert & Sharon Daniel O. Fiala Cunningham Mary Dertinger Karen L. DuCharme Engelhart Thomas Fiala Marilyn Cunningham David DeRusha Maria & Steve Duane Scott & Dawn Engelman Robert Fifield Sheila K. Cunningham Lawrence D. Desarmeaux Andrew M. Duda Jeffrey Engelmeier Dennis M. Filbin Edward J. Cushing Dorlyn L. Desens Ann Dudero Peter Engelmeyer Greg Filice & Ernest E. Cutting Kerstin E. Deters & Craig Duehring Erik J. Englebretson & Svetlana Simovic Susan Czarneski John Engel Henry W. Duerkop Kathy Farniok Kevin Filter Kareen & Lee Daby Ann & Duane Andrew Duerr Joanne A. Englund Lisa Filter & Joel Martin Philip L. Dahl Deutschman Jim & Margaret Duevel Paul & Cyndi Englund Richard Fink Clara M. Dahle Hal Devereux Edward E. Dufour Sally Enstrom Thomas A. Fink Katherine Dahlin Rick & Betty Devine Dave & Ronnie DuFresne Steve & Kathy Enzler Kenneth R. Finke Devin & Janet Dahline David & Carolyn Devins Bryant C. Dullinger Sarah Erenberg Joseph Finley Mike & Kay Dahlke Denny A. Dey Alfred W. Dunkel Jon Erichson Jane & Mike Fischbach James R. Dahlman Steve Dibb Keven & Connie Dunlap Aaron J. Erickson Tim Fischbach Richard R. Dahlman Martyn J. Dibben Robert G. Dunn Bruce E. Erickson David & Marie Fischer Arthur B. Dahlquist Allyn Dickie Tom Dupont Chris Erickson Jeff Fischer Neil R. Dahlquist Jerome A. Didier Jason Dusbabek Dennis D. Erickson Keith & Nancy Fischer Duane J. Dahlstrom Lynne & Bob Diebel Robert D. Dutton Dennis E. Erickson Ray & Donna Fischer Dean & Donna Dahlvang Carol Dierksen Mark S. Dwyer Eric T. Erickson Tom & Carolyn Fischer Willis Dahn Alan Dietz Tom & Gayle Dybvik John W. Erickson Daniel D. Fish Mike & Diana Daigle Erik Dietz Phillip Dzubay Kay Erickson Chuck Fisher Mark Dalager Digger family Jane Eastes & Jim Kenneth W. Erickson Jim Fisher Peter C. Daley David Dinehart Bergquist Robert Erickson Kathryn Fitzgerald Dennis Dalquist James H. Dingle Kermit Eastman Robio Erickson Steve Fitzloff Gunner Daneels Herb & Verndelle Robert A. Eastman Carey Erkel Patrick Fitzpatrick Gregory Daniels Dingmann Ralph D. Ebbott David & Doris Erkkila Michael R. Fix COURTESY OF CARROL HENDERSON

Raymond Fix Jim & Kay Fritsch Thomas T. Giefer A.J. Greenshields Harold Hagfors David J. Fjerkenstad Linda Fritschel & Marilyn R. Gilbertson Kevin Gregerson Edward Hagstrom Bob & Jane Fladung Jim Kiehne Reid A. Gilbertson Howard Gregory Gerald H. Haider & Robert J. Fladung Cathy Fritz Garth D. Gillett Ed & Judy Grelson Jeanne Lee Glen W. Flaim Fred L. Froehlich Mary A. Gillings Henry & Karen Gretsfeld Mary & John Haider Ann L. Flanagan Judy Froehling Paul Gillispie Wesley D. Greve Mark & Kathryn Haidet Brian & Deneen Flanary Andrew Frosch Robb & Kathy Gilman Delbert Griesert Bonnie Haines Jeff Flaten & Terri L. Frost-Dionne Roger W. Gilmore Monica Griffin Solvig Halbakken Mary Flaten Marshall Froyd Anthony Gilsdorf Tom & Gretchen Griffin Alan Hale Nancy E. Flatgard Jean A. Fryer Glenn Gilyard Wilma K. Griffin Rex & Jaci Hale Richard W. Flaws Eugene W. Fuchs John & Sonia Gisvold Floyd Griffith Tony Halek Jeremy Fleming Paul T. Fuchs Alfred D. Glaeseman Daniel Griggs Kate Hales Jack L. Flink Alice M. Fuller Bob & Becky Glesne John Griggs Annetta Haley Leslie Flom Boyd Fuller Lynn A. Glesne Carol & Lee Grim Nils & Heather Halker Suzanne K. Flotten Mark Fulton & Barbara Glick Gordon R. Grimm Jacquelyn M. Hall David A. Foley Wendy Greenberg Leonard J. Gloeb John A. Grimm Lynn & David Hall John L. Foley Joann Funk & Harvey J. Glowaski Phyllis M. Grimm Majel A. Hall Raynold O. Folland Steve Marking Donna D. Glynn Gerald & Terry Grinde Sandra Hall Roger Folta Donald R. Gaalaas John & Jean Goad Daniel Griscom Allan B. Hallermann Ken & Helen Foltz Valeda Gabbert Richard P. Goblirsch Jane & Brian Grivna Ronald E. Hallin John Ford Mary & Gary Gabe Jan Godeke Gary & Marilyn Grob Edward & Clara Halls Rose Ford Richard & Barb Gabriel Douglas Godwin Darlene Groff Mark A. Halls Duane & Mary Forer Roger L. Gacke Cynthia Godzala Pam Gronbeck Randy & Nancy Roger Forman Susan Gadbois Ken Goebel Jeanne Gronquist Hallstrom Barbara Forrest Gary Gaida Mary Goerdt Judith Grooters Donald F. Halonen Joel & Mary Forseth Phillip Gainsley Linda M. Goering James G. Grosenick David & Joan Halstead Mark Forsline Larry Galau Roger Goeschel Kenneth Grosinger Bob Haltvick Curt Forst Scott J. Gale Jerry Goettsch Erven M. Gross Joyce E. Halver Ronald & Marilyn Fortin Stanley Gale Connie & Tim Gohla JoAnn Gross Gene Halverson George W. Fortmeyer Vanda Galen Duane & Diane Golaski Stacey L. Gross Kathy Halvorson Barry & Eileen Foss Kerry Gallagher Brad Goldberg Layne Groth Rohn D. Halvorson Edwin W. Fossen Barton & Lynn Galle Melvin F. Goldenbogen Douglas D. Grove Tom Hamel Larry Fossler Jared Galligan Gordon & Gayle Goltz Dick Gruber & Janie Carol A. Hamilton John C. Fossum Jessica Gallo Elizabeth Goodman McManus William T. Hammann Howard A. Foster Britt & Bjorn Gangeness Jeri Goodspeed-Gross Greg Gruber Clarence Hammett Robert K. Foster Joan & Lee Gangl George G. Goodwin Wayne & Eileen Tom Hammitt Talla Fowler Gary & Kay Gapinski Joel & Linda Goodwin Grundstrom Lawrence Hamre Karl & Kirsten Fox John & Suzanne Gappa Tom & Dorothy Goodwin Arnie & Ruth Gruys Dr. Yvonne S. Hanley Karla & David Fox Don & Carolann Garber Robert A. Gordon Lynn Guenette Adeline R. Hansen Sheldon Fox Valerie Garber Muriel Gorham Joan Guerra David C. Hansen Stephen Fox Dr. Susan E. Gardner & Fred Gorka Don M. Guilmette Duane T. Hansen William W. Fox Philip Scott Timothy J. Gormley James A. Guldan Harold C. Hansen Kent Fralish Tom & Kathy Gardner Robert T. Gosselin Mark & Cathy Mark Hansen William T. Franck Charles Garr James & Sylvia Gossen Gunderson Mary Hansen Jared Frandson Wayne Gartland John Gossen Steven Gunter Nancy K. Hansen Greg J. Frank Dana Gartner Heide Gottwaldt Charles R. Gustafson Richard Hansen Marles & Sieglinde Gassman William Goude Don R. Gustafson Richard C. Hansen Leland Frankman John Gaudette K. Gould Dorothy J. Gustine Lynn A. Hanske Al Fravert James W. Gausman Sarah Goullaud James & Rita Guttmann Bunny Hanson Randy Frazier William Gausman Dawson Grabau Jack L. Guy Gordon Hanson Vincent Freborg Ronald Gauthier Richard H. Grabmeier George M. Guyant Jacob Hanson Steve & Alice Frechette Josephine Gavin Carrie Graf Steven Guzzi Jim Hanson Erik Fredberg Larry & Patty Gavin John & Jane Graf Lois W. Gwynn John H. Hanson Pam Fredrickson Jim C. Gay Grand Rapids Area Becky & Ted Haaf Karen Hanson David & Karin Freeburg Katherine Geary Community Lisa Haag Karl Hanson Jr. H. Freeman & C. Mork Judy Geck & John Quaife Foundation, David Haak Ken & Laura Hanson Gerda Freier Stephen N. Geer Blue Heron Fund Richard W. Haak Kitty Hanson William B. Frels Farolyn Gehring Carolyn Grandstrand Ethel A. Haakenson Linda S. Hanson Mark D. Fremo Maurice Geiger Jim & Carol Granger Roxanne Haare Loren Hanson Erik J. Fremstad Lin M. Gelbmann & Karen Grant Robert & Janet Haarman Miriam Hanson Violet French Cynthia Anderson Paul Graupmann Bill Haas Nancy Hanson Anne Frenchick & Thomas A. Gelbmann Michael H. Graves Jerome B. Haberle Richard Hanson Theodore Thompson Arthur A. Gensmer James R. Gray Connie A. Habermann Vernon Hanson Brand & Vycki Frentz William E. Gentle Wayne T. Grazzini Jane & Steve Hachfeld Helen & Paul Hanten Wesley Frenzel Jane M. Gerber Green family Delores J. Had John H. Harambasic Roy Frerich Ray & Mavis Gerber Bradley R. Green Louis C. Haddad Brian Harden Rick & Susan Frericks Eugene R. Gere Edmond W. Green Jr. John Haessig Mike & Mary Harden Gin Freund Scott Gerlach John & Janet Green Hagemeyer & Company, Donnamarie Hardy R. Mark Frey Beth L. Germain Martin A. Green & Larry Hagemeyer Mary Hargens Chuck Frick Vikki Lee Getchell Bonnie Carlson-Green Cheryl Hagen Gerald & Donna Harjes Sheryl A. Fried Mary Jo Gibbons Tom Green & Carrie John & Luann Hagen Tarell A. Friedley Fredric M. Gibbs Robinson Paul Hagen & Kevin Friesen Caron & Mark Gibson Edith Greene Christine Jahnke Mel & Patti Frisch Lilla Gidlow Keith Greeninger Carr Hagerman 59 Thank you donate at mndnr.gov/mcvmagazine or call 888-646-6367.

Alan D. Harkrader III Nancy M. Heimer John Hockert Jean & Hugh Huelster Randolph Jennings & Bonnie L. Harper-Lore Paul Heimgartner Julie A. Hoeft Kevin Hughes Mary Griep Bailey Harris John Heine Mike Hoene Marlin & Cecilia Hughes Wayne B. Jennings & Hazel L. Harris Rick Heine Kenneth Hoffman Maxine Hughes Joan Sorenson Jay D. Harris Richard J. Heinen Kevin Hoffman Michael Hughes Doug & Kathy Jensen Pam & Dave Harris Brian Heinis Rodney Hoffman Terence Hughes James M. Jensen Scott Harrison Fred C. Heinonen Joan Hoffmann Jeff & Allison Huiras Karen Jensen William Harrison Lola Heinrich Mark Hoffmann Kari Huizinga Owen & Darlene Jensen Kristin Harsh Scott Heinrich Ross Hoffmann Vernon Hukriede Karen E. Jenson Kurt H. Harstad Helene Heintz Donna Hofmeister Charles R. Huling Paul Jenson Steven Hart Fredrick Heisler Wayne Hofmeister Dr. Theodore Hullar Jeff Jentz Mark Hartley Judy Helgen Carl Hohnstadt Gerald & Betty Hults Steven R. Jerabek Daryl & Kathryn Mike & Mary Helgeson Steve & Vicki Hoien Shirley Humburg Jim Jerikovsky Hartman Mike & Susan Heller Robert C. Hoisington Jim & Jean Humeniuk Joseph & Carol Ruth M. Hartman Terry Heller Patrick L. Holder James H. Hunnel Jerkovich Richard L. Hartung Timothy W. Heller Kent & Cheryl Holen John J. Hunt Corey Jertson Steven Hartung John & Sandra Helling Greg Holey Timothy K. Hunt Robert L. Jessen A.G. Harvell Gary Heltemes Derrill G. Holland Dave Hunter Arthur & Myrliss Janelle Hasbrouck Bob Hemmingson Steve Holley David J. Hurtt Jirousek Wayne & Patricia Peter N. Hemstad David J. Holliday George & Gail Huschle Jim Jirousek Haselhorst Maia Hendel Jerry Holm Allen G. Huseby Jean Johansson Tim Hassler Roger Hendricks Kevin Holm Paavo H. Husen Ron & Sandy Johansson Barbara J. Hastings Michael Hendrickson Michael & Mary Holm Harry Hutter Ellis & Lorraine Johns Kay & John Hatlestad Pauline & Dick Robert & Pam & Larry Hylton Kenneth Johns John & Maureen Hauck Hendrickson Marlyn Holman Julian H. Hynnek Michael D. Johns Mel & Marianne Hauck Sivert O. Hendrickson Ken Holmbeck Alyce T. Ilg Allan Johnson Sherry Hauck Bill H. Hennemuth Glenn A. Holmen Mike & Paxie Imsdahl Allen Johnson James G. Hauer Alice Hennessey Charles & Joan Holmes Yvonne Ingalls Angie & Darrell Johnson Joan E. Hauer David K. Hennies Renee Holoien Thomas & Ann M. Johnson Curtis Haugen John Hensel Maren D. Holst Suzanne Inman Arnold W. Johnson Karn Haugen Eric V. Herendeen & Paul Holte Jaime Irlbeck Audrey M. Johnson Robert Haugen Damita Crouse Vickie L. Holtz Richard & Carol Irmiter Barbara & David Johnson Jim & Penny Hauser Larry & Debbie Herke Brad Holz Arlan L. Irwin Betsy Johnson Peter L. Hauser Nancy Herlofsky Nathan Holzer Cheryl R. Irwin Cliff B. Johnson Charlie Hautman Mike Herman Lucas Holzhueter Amy Isaacson Dan & Barb Johnson Joe Hautman Mike W. Hero Joel Hood family Helen Isaacson David & Ruth & Luke Havumaki Billy Herring Joel Hooker Judy & Lauri Isaacson Jeanette Johnson Terry & Judy Hawkenson Georgina Herring Susan L. Hooker Doris Isaksen David A. Johnson Armin Hawkins Linda & Dale Herron Stanley B. Hooper Susan Isder Dennis L. Johnson Michael Hawthorne Robert E. Hertenstein Ben Hoopman Rod Isebrand Dennis & Sue Johnson Michael T. Hay Annamary Herther Edward Hoopman Mike A. Itzin Dick Johnson David & Susan Hayes Thomas R. Hess Joe Hoopman Ralph Iverson E. & M. Johnson Sharon Hayes Jack & Barbara Hessburg Terry & Kathy Hoopman Benjamin Jackson Eldon Johnson Anneliese Haynes Warren W. Hesse Jon & Jane Hopeman Chris A. Jacobs Erik S. Johnson William M. Heaney Karen E. Hesselroth Allan & Alice Hopke Dan Jacobs Francis M. Johnson Lynn & Gisele Heaton Dave & Brittany Hestad John F. Hoppe Ramona Jacobs Gary W. Johnson Samuel Hebeisen Paul Hesterman Thomas Horak Thomas Jacobs Greg Johnson Gloria Hebert Steve & Chris Hettig Anders Hornfeldt Gene & Arlene Jacobson Janice M. Johnson Tim Hebert Jack Heule Robert W. Horning Joanne Jacobson Jason A. Johnson Billy & Jill Hebl Liane Heupel Jeff Hortian Kathy Jacobson Jay P. Johnson Dennis & Nancy Hebrink Richard A. Heuring John C. Horton Raeoun C. Jacobson Jeff Johnson Tim Hebrink Richard A. Hickner Lesa Hoseck Thomas W. Jacobson Jenell Johnson Loren Hed Hidden Valley Game Ellen L. Hostetler John R. Jaeger John Johnson Steven Hedberg Birds, Butch Owens Rhea Hotzler Todd Jaeger Joyce Johnson Carter & Florence Hideaway Resort Peter Houg Jimmy James Judy Johnson Hedeen Al Chirpich Melvin S. Hougen Juliane Janey Kurt Johnson Dave & Mary Larry Hiedeman Roberta C. Houle James & Teresa Janos Larry Johnson Hedenstrom Charles Hiemenz Kenneth Hoverson David D. Jansen Larry W. Johnson Douglas A. Hedin Ellen & Tim Higgins William Hoversten Duane Jansen Lynn & Monica Johnson Robert & Carolyn Hedin Darryl Hill Dale & Colleen Hovind Arvid M. Jaranson Margaret Johnson John W. Hedlund Dawn Hill Mary Hovland Terry Jarosch Michael A. Johnson Marian Hedlund Jan Hill Lisa M. Howard Peter & Gae Jarvis Pamela L. Johnson Jon Hedman Ben Hillesheim John & Susan Howe JD Haas & Paul Johnson & Gaynell & Dennis Kristi Hills Michael Howe Associates, PLLC Laura Hedlund Hedstrom Andrew M. Hine William R. Howery Michael Jeffers Phil Johnson Royce L. Heffelfinger TJ & Judy Hinrichs Colleen & Larry Hoyme Ronald S. Jeffery Ralph & Janet Johnson Dick Heglund Jeanie Hinsman Tom & Lisa Hoyne Karen Jeffords-Brown Randall Johnson Mark E. Hegman Kent Hintermeister Gerald & Wanda Hoyum Tom & Patti Jeffrey Richard Johnson Larry Hegstad Merrimon & Carol Hipps Roger Hoyum Michael J. Jellinek Richard & Joyce Johnson Matthew & Sally Heier Max & Georgia Hirt Dave & Toni Huber Steven Jellinger Richard S. Johnson Amber & Adam Heikkila Fred E. Hitt John & Julie Huber Diane Jenkins Robert Johnson Ardys Heilig Janna Hjelm Mark & Cindy Huber Mike Jenkins Robert & Betty Johnson Thad Heimendinger Thomas Hlavaty Jr. Deborah Huberty Dave & Bonnie Jennen Robert R. & Michael T. Heimer Jim & Anna Hobbs Thomas Hudson James & Pat Jennings Alice L. Johnson COURTESY OF CARROL HENDERSON

Rodney J. Johnson Mike Kaster Thomas R. Kirchner Jim Kostreba Randy Lafoy Roger & Almeda R. Kath Douglas W. Kirk Bob Kotek Jan & Robb Lageson Candice Johnson Bob & Connie Matthew Kisch Katherine Kottke Arnold & Lynn Lahd Ron Johnson Katzenberger Terry Kissner Willard & Jennifer S. Lahmann Steve & Lisa Johnson Michael J. Katzenmeyer James D. Kittlesen Marcia Koukkari Stephanie Lais Stuart Johnson Gary R. Kaufenberg Keith S. Kittock Bob & Gina Kowalski David & Ted Johnson Erik & Tara Kaufman Barb Kivisto Steven A. Kozak Kristina Laliberte Theodore D. Johnson Kathy Kaul David & Loni Kjos Karen A. Kraemer Ben Lamb Thomas Johnson Clayton & Brenda Sonia Kjos & Paul Kraemer Richard E. Lambert Timothy C. Johnson Kauppila Steve Waring Joan Krafft Charles E. Lamberton Todd Johnson & Karen Kavan Dale K. Klabunde Bruce & Jerilyn Kraft Lambs Resort, H.A. Lamb Susan Orandi Edward Kaye John Klabunde William F. Kraft Gail Lamott Walter & Barry S. Kazmer George & Mary Klacan Andrew Kramer Steve Lampman Harriet Johnson Mark & Sherry Kean H.F. Jim Klancke Gene B. Kramer Kimberlee Landecker Wayne & Leo Keane Maurice Klaphake Jerry Lee Kramer Paul Landgrebe, Lonnie Johnson Dr. Michael Keating Arthur Klassen Lawrence A. Krantz Landgrebe Software Wendy Johnson Charles Keck Alice Klein Robert Kraske Solutions Dick & Miriam Jondahl Tom Keefe Ann M. Klein Frank & Patti Kratky Edward R. Landin Cathy Jones Faris Keeling Peter J. Klein Scott & Joan Kraupa Thomas E. Landsberger Cheryl Jones John Keener Steve & Teresa Kleist Leonard Krause Albert S. Lang Eldon D. Jones Bob & Nancy Keeton Bob Klenk Sr. Joseph J. Kravetz Dennis H. Lang Janet Jones & Chris Kehl Bob J. Klepinski Sarah Krawczyk Richard Lange Bradley B. Morison Nancy J. Kehner Don & Deb Kleven Darrell Krebs Robert W. Lange John Jones Keith & Dawn Kellen Larry Kleven Vicki & Dave Krecek Bill Langenbacher Karen E. Jones Bob Keller Loren & Laura Klimek Larry Krech Dr. Timothy Langguth Kyle & Ann Jones Jerry & Margaret Keller David Kloss Bradley Krehbiel Patrick & Emily Lanin Larry Jones Richard C. Keller Joe & Deb Kloss Michael J. Krejci Bret & Wendi Lanning Mark Jones Robert W. Kelley Derek Klostermeier Clem Kremers John Lannon Michael L. Jones Edward & Karen Kellogg Wally & Glen Krenelka Anthony J. LaPatka William J. Jones Bill & Pat Kelly Shirley Klovstad Lorraine A. Kretchman Gerald & Judi Lapp Larie Jordahl Robert Kelly Donald & Janet Klug Gary Kreter John & Karen Larsen Janice M. Jordan Gene Kelzer Marilyn Kluver Mark Kristensen John E. Larsen & Roberta Jordan Robert & Joanne Kemkes Robert & Dolores Kluwe Jim & Judy Kroll Michael D. Stewart Margaret Jorgensen Gary Kemp Barry W. Knapp Leslie A. Krona Larry & Donna Larsen Nanci Jorgenson Sonja Kempfert Sy & Barb Knapp Steve Kronmiller Anders & Sonja Larson Paul R. Jorstad & Margaret Kenan Jeff Knoll Susan Krouse Brian Larson Brigitte Kay Reuther Nancy Kennedy Mitzi Knoll Krueger’s Sen. Cal Larson Kathy Jowaski family Terry Kent Jack & Donna Knothe Christmas Trees Charles Larson Patrick & Evie Joyce John & Judy Keppers Charles & Margo Knox Elizabeth Krueger Dexter M. Larson Tom Juba Lloyd G. Kepple Ron Knox Jeanette Krueger family Eugene Larson Gary Judd Todd Kerkow & Ronald E. Knox Neil & Deb Krueger Everett Larson Don & Fran Jueneman Amber Setter Richard Knudsen Wayne Kruger James A. Larson Jay Juergens Roseann & Richard Knudson Charles L. Kruse James G. Larson Ron Julkowski Robert Kermes Ronald A. Knudson John Kruse Kenneth & Janis Larson Joan Jung Jeff Kern & Jenny Delfs Ardell Knudsvig Michael P. Kruse Larry & Theresa Larson Reni M. Jung Kevin Kerstein Don Knutson Arnold L. Krusemark Peder Larson Bruce R. Jungwirth John Kess Eric Knutson Dr. William Kubiak Peter L. Larson Kenneth E. Just Steve Kess Nicole & Aric Knutson Larry & Robert W. Larson Dr. David L. Justis & Diane M. Kessler Hans Koch & Carolyn Kuechle Steve Larson Nuala C. Galbari Marsha Kessler Amelia Kennedy Sophia M. Kuehn Susan Larson Steve Jwanouskos Gerald W. Ketcher Tom & Sina Koch Tom & Jean Kuehn Theresa Larson Allan J. Kackmann Larry & Sharon Ketcher Tracy Kochendorfer Steven & Genie Kufus Therese M. Larson Leonard J. Kaczorowski Lorraine & Fred Keup Gordon & David Kuhl Verena A. Larson Mike P. Kaiser Charles & Joanne Keyes Penny Koehler Jeffrey Kuhs Wayne Larson David H. Kaldahl Lorena M. Kezar Duane D. Koehnen C.D. Kujawa Lyle Laske Florence L. Kalenius Patricia G. Kielb Marcella Koenig James C. Kujawa Florian I. Lauer Kallemeyn & Fran Kiesling & Bonnie Koenigs David Kulich Thomas Laughlin Kallemeyn, PLLC Sharon Lubinski Susie Koepp Vicki Kunerth Mark D. Laumann Jenny Kalmes Robert Kiewatt Jr. Erich P. Koester Richard L. Kunkel David W. Laursen Bill Kalseim Karen L. Kilberg Karen A. Koester Thomas Kurth Glenn Lawton Micheal J. Kaminski William & Sandra Kilby Kurt & Katy Koestler Liz Kusler-Soderstrum Jimmy Layer Jim & Jane Kane Craig Kile Pete Kofoot Jason & Gary Layne Tom R. Kane Mineko Kimura Larry J. Kohler Margaret Kustritz Donald & Phyllis Layton Ken Kappes John D. King Maria Koland Chuck Kutzera Chuck & Hope Lea Marlan L. Karbo Julianne King Steve & Laura Kolar Gregory Kvasnicka Rick Leba Gwen & Jason Kardell Lois & Richard King Stephanie & Doug Kolbe Paul Kvitek Elizabeth Lebakken Marnie B. Karger Maggie King DuWayne Konewko Robert & Tina Kwakenat John B. LeClair Gayle A. Kari Michael D. King Lindsey Kopp Michael & Linda Laak Lon LeClair Robert Karls Scott King Larry Korf Mary Lacher Keith LeClaire Mike Kasella Linda Kingery Frank J. Korpi Jim Lack Michele LeClaire Dr. Balsy Kasi Joe & Kathy Kingman Paula M. & Craig W. Lackie Gregory J. Kaslow Lee & Steve Kingsbury Mike J. Koshmrl Joe LaFave Clinton C. Kasma Neal Kingsley Clayton & Nancy Koss Mark M. LaFond John Kasprick Ronald P. Kircher Darrel V. Koss Sr. Diane Lafontaine 61 Thank you donate at mndnr.gov/mcvmagazine or call 888-646-6367.

Jim & Carol LeDuc Glen Lindseth Dr. Robert & Gretchen John Matta Jerry & Carole Mehr David G. Lee Joan & Tom Lindsey MacCarty Dale R. Mattson Dennis & Barb Meier Gerald Lee Mr. & Mrs. William F. Mary MacDonald Gary Mattson William & Paula Meier Jon N. Lee Lindstrom Norma R. MacDonald Ginny Mattson Diane L. Meierhoff Linda Lee William Lindvall Leroy Machulda Grant P. Mattson Mark & Terri Meis Mike Lee Grady Linehan Denice Maciej Robert Mattson William & Wayne Lee Carla J. Lininger Lyle MacIver Paul J. Matuschek Caroline Meisner Wayne & Ann Lee Michael Linn Marion Mack Richard R. Mau Craig Melges Wayne R. Lee Thomas E. Linser Marsella Mackereth Brey Maurer Matthew Mellenthin Phyllis J. Leef Nick & Linda Linsmayer John Mackner Richard & Bill Meller Thomas Leek James Litch Rita Macy Eleanor Maurer Sharyl Melson Gary N. Lees Brian Litchke Terry Maddy Ron Max Todd Meltzer John H. Leesch Lynn Litchy David Madison Corrine Maxwell Dwight Melzer Dr. Jeanette H. Leete Jean Ljungkull Larry & Carol Madison Mary F. McBride Ralph J. Menk Ryan Lefor Doug Lobdell Adrienne Madson Earl M. McCarrick Ronald Menk Denise F. Legato Gerald J. Loberg John Madson Patrick McCarthy Henry & Mary Ellen David Legvold Vernon Lodien Irene Maertens Walt R. McCarthy Menke Rebecca Lehman Francis T. Loeffler Leon A. Mager Jr. Carol J. McCarty Candace A. Mensing Mark Lehrer Michael Loeffler Hugh & Nancy Magill Timothy McCauley Gary A. Mentz Otto M. Lehrer III Dan Lofgren Robert W. Magnuson Bruce & David C. Menzel Elmer & Phyllis Lehrke Ralph J. Logeais Kenneth Mahle Jr. Donna McClellan M.R. Merabella Jeff, Jenni, & Wayne Logeais Kymric Mahnke Jesse & Pat McClintock Susan L. Meredith Nik Lehtinen Alan Lohman Gerald Mahon Tim & Jeanne McCloskey Brian P. Merriam Rick Lehtinen family Howard & Kay Lohman Mary Lee Maida William J. McLoskey Dolores M. Merrill Dan & Dorothy Ronald M. Loidolt Scott & Ginny Mainella Dave & Diane McClure Teresa A. Mertens Leighton Roger Loken Mike Majerle Robert McClure Jeffrey Messerich David Leitten Larry & Claudia Loll Charlotte Maki David McCollum William Messerli Stanley C. Lemberg Ed & Diane Lommel Liz & Al Makynen Mark McCollum Karen Metcalf Richard Lembke Gordon Long Tom & Kathy Malaske June C. McComas Bruce & Peggy Mews Sue Lemm Hildred Shelland Long Douglas B. Malchow Rodger & Cindy J. Meyer Bill Lemmer Susan Long Louis S. Malchow Marcia McCombs Craig T. Meyer Paula Len Lance A. Lonson Robert Malcolm McCormick Jim & Betty Meyer Diane Lentsch Harold N. Loomer Katie Maldeis Construction, Marlin D. Meyer Jay & Ann Lenz Richard & Cheryl Loose Laurey Malling Mark Schmid Michael C. Meyer Joe & Brenda Lenz Andy & Diane Lopez Jeffrey W. Malone Raymond McCoy Nadine Meyer William R. Leto Dennis Lodermeier Thomas J. Maloney Jim & Susan McCurdy Roger Meyer Carol LeVasseur Jim Losleben Randy & Denise Manlick Karen McDermott Ron Meyer Sandra Levendowski Mark Losure Richard J. Manly Malcolm W. McDonald Ron & Sandra Meyer Ann Lewandowski & Jerry C. Lothrop Bruce Mann Robert & Ronald H. Meyer James Howitt Betty L. Loucks Peter Manship Mary McDonald Stanley J. Meyer Mark & Cindy Lewer Donald J. Lovas Dr. B. Michael Manthei Tom C. McDonald Chester A. Meyers Beth Lewis Jim Loving Robert & Julie Manuel Richard A. McDowell Sally Michal Glenn M. Lewis Tom Lowe Fr. Tom Margevicius Diana McEvoy & Dale Michealson Greg & Mary Lewis Richard A. Loxtercamp Charles & Alton Gessner Joel Mickelson Lexington Eye Associates Marvin O. Loxterkamp Paulette Marini Richard J. McFarland Raymond C. Mickow Delmer & Theresa Leyh Dr. Mark Ludvigson Mike Marks Dennis J. McGovern Rand & Donna Michael Lian Donald R. Lueck Robert R. Marose John M. McGrane Middleton Ronald L. Libertus Doug Luepke Sharon Marquardt Mary McGrath Midwest Jim Libke Tony Luft Marquette Honey Farms Edwin W. McGrew Contracting LLC Donald C. Liebenstein John Luhman Marquette Catholic Mary Jane McHardy Mark Miklas Bernard Lieder Donald Lukenbill Jr. School Library Michael R. McHugh Bob & Nancy Milan Nancy Lien Duane Lund Tom Marron Maureen McIlhargey C. Milbrath Craig Lietzke Elizabeth Lund John M. Marsaa Douglas McIndoo Bruce H. Miles Lifeseasons Tony R. Lund Janet Marshall Tyler McIndoo Tim & Mary Miley Psychotherapy LLC, Verena M. Lund Raymond O. Marshall Jeffrey R. McIntyre Diane & Steven Millard Judith Pinke Allen L. Lundgren Edward C. Marsolek Thomas J. McIver Anita R. Miller G. Patrick Lilja Kathleen Lundgren Richard Marsolek Barbara J. McKay-Jones Clint & Patty Miller Midge & David Lilja Mary Lundgren Amber Martin & Catherine P. McKegney Jacob J. Miller William Liljemark Steve Lundorff Paul Robinson Cynthia McKenzie James D. Miller Roger D. Lillemoen Jeff Lundquist Dennis O. Martin Pat McKenzie Kenneth & Kate Miller Dr. John C. Lillie Jr. Gerald Lundstrom Joseph W. Martin Stu & Mary McKie Marty Miller & Frank J. Lind Jackie & Dick Phyllis Martin Robert D. McKinney Linda Skallman H.D. Lind Lundstrom Ruth Martin Rose McLaren Mike & Evon Miller Deborah Lindberg Roland E. Lundstrom Tony & Carolyn Martino Charles & Mary Richard L. Miller Donald B. Lindberg Robert G. Lunz Paul E. Marturano McLaughlin Russell Miller Julie Lindberg Louie J. Lutz Bernhard Marzell Keith K. McLean Thomas L. Miller Roger Lindemann Steve & Lynn Lutz Stuart Mason Wayne L. McMillen Victoria T. Miller Jerome & Corrine Gary Lyall Vivian Mason Mary McNair William Mills Lindenfelser Roger & Pat Lydeen Jeff Masten Jay T. McNamara David & Florence Minar Bruce Lindfors Terry Lydell George & Linda McNamara Minnesota Habitat John M. Lindner Marilyn Lynch Annette Master Ronald W. McNamara Management, Justin Lindner Peggy Lynch Jim Master II Mark C. McNea Jason Tank Glenn Lindroos Kurt & Mary Lysne Thomas F. Matejka Bruce D. McVeety Molly Miron Jimmy G. Lindsay Mary A. Maas William C. Matson L. David Mech George P. Miserendino DEBORAH ROSE, DNR

Richard Misgen Tom Mulvaney Betsy & Tim Nettleton Mary O’Connor David Orr Douglas R. Mitchell Dennis Mulvey Carolyn J. Neu Patrick O’Connor Patricia K. Orud Janet Mitchell Lloyd Munson Isaac Neu David Odland Phillip E. Osberg Lee G. Mitchell Duane Muri Tom & Jo Neubert Jennifer Odland Gerald E. Oss Mancel T. Mitchell III Brian Murn Claudia Neuhauser Sonja C. Odland Michael Osterholm Donald Mittelstaedt Bob Murphy Nick Neuman Tom R. O’Donnell Ostlunds Marine Garage, Gregory B. Mitton J. Gregory Murphy Brad Neumann Rosemary O’Donovan Antigone Poletes Hjordis M. Mlinar Michael Murphy & Gwendolyn O. Neumann Wallace O. Oien David L. Ostrander David & Jennifer Moberg Lisa Zakrajsek Paul W. Neumann Alan L. Oines James Ostrom Mervwyn Mock Jack Murray Paul & Douglas Oines Jack S. Otis Brance Modin Phil & Rose Murrays Cathryn Neumayer Thomas O’Keefe family Irene M. Ott Gary J. Moe Mary Musielewicz Scott Neustel Virgil A. Okeson Fritz Otte Nancy Moe Jim Mussell, Tree Guys Marvin G. Nevonen Gerald Okland Dennis M. Ottem Charles & Barb Moen Tree Care John P. Newbauer Raymond Olander Otto family Michael & Beth Moen Randy Musser Robert & Dawna Newby John & Yvette Nancy Owen Mylan & Janet Moen Mike Musta Doraine Newland Oldendorf Mark Owens Kenneth Moerke John & Ann Myers Paul & Beth Newman Dan & Brenda Oleson Douglas & Suzanne Robert & Dawn Moffett Mason C. Myers John M. Nichols Eric O’Link Owens-Pike Daniel Moga Russ Myers & Makel Nichols Dale Oliver Charles W. Pace Steve Mohr Mary Sueltz Michael Nichols Douglas Olmanson William & Edith Packard Roger Mohror Elizabeth Myhre Jim Nickel Al & Mary Lou Olsen Michael & Pam Pagelkopf Donald Mohs Dorothy Myrick Ron Niedzielski Curtis J. Olsen Ellen Pahl Judith M. Molenaar Don Naaktgeboren Dale E. Nielsen David & Audrey Olsen Loren Pahl Pete Mollick Roberta Nagan Kate Nielsen Howard A. Olsen Raymond C. Painter Judith L. Grandel Molloy Barbara L. Nagel Kenneth Nielsen Jeffrey P. Olsen Warren W. Pakulski Phillip M. Momont David Nagel Jacob B. Niesen family Neal Olsen Roberta Palen Maureen & Bill Momsen James G. Nalezny Mary Nietzel Patricia A. Olsen Kristin Palfe Robert C. Momsen Alan Nathe Terry & Caroll Niewolny Rick & Susy Olsen Tom Pallo Barbara Monahan Mark A. Nathe David Nilsen A. Richard Olson James Palm Mike Monahan Joyce & J. David Naumann Carole Nimlos Alden T. Olson Lorena Palm Debbie Monchamp Robert Naylor Nisswa Tax Service Allan L. Olson Elizabeth Palmen Dave Monn Mary K. Nealy William Nixon Jr. Anita Olson David L. Palmer Fr. Scott Monson Ken Neihart R.J. Nodland Arlene Olson Grace Palmer Jerry & Karen Montonye Darrell Neisen Jeffrey Nolin Betty Lou S. Olson Jeff Palmer Kris & Dena Moody Arlene P. Nelson William Noll Cliff Olson Mark T. Palmer Bruce Moore Bill & Pat Nelson Douglas Nordang Daniel & Vicki Olson Peter B. Palmer Duane Moore Bob & Donna Nelson Mark W. Nordeen David E. Olson Ralph E. Palmer Glen Moore Bonnie E. Nelson John Nordgaard David G. Olson Rodney Palmer Stephen Moore Carl & Ruth Nelson Richard W. Nordlund David P. Olson Jon Panzer Thomas Moore Clareyse E. Nelson Robert Nordstrom Dennis D. Olson Molly Papenheim Pete Moothart Craig & Sharon Nelson Robert & Donovan Olson Robert & Carolyn Papke Cheryl A. Morgan David Nelson Caroline Nordstrom Doug R. Olson James E. Parenteau Judy Morgan Erik T. Nelson Robert Noreen Douglas Olson Jerome Parenteau Thomas O. Morgan Gary D. Nelson Robert E. Norman Emily J. Olson Nancy C. Parlin William H. Morgan Gerald Nelson Roger Norman Eric Olson & Lisa Drage Charles & John Moriarty Jeanette L. Nelson Phillip Norrgard Gen Olson Joanne Parsons Joe & Bonnie Moris Keith R. Nelson Steve North Jan & Karl Olson Richard & Robert J. Mork Ken Nelson David H. Norton Jerry A. Olson Sharon Parsons Jeff Morrison Kristen Nelson Helen F. Norton Kurt Olson Carroll Partridge Marjorie Morrow Lavonne D. Nelson Thomas Norton Loring J. Olson Tom & Sally Patterson Jean & Dick Morse Leslie Ann Nelson Norway Ridge Lowell E. Olson & Mark & Merrill Morse Lloyd & Donna Nelson Supper Club Kathleen Olson Marybeth Patton Carl “Rudy” Mortenson Mark W. Nelson Bert Notermann Charlotte Stephens Randall & Jerry Mortenson Mary Nelson Glen & Yvonne Novak Manley E. Olson Mary Jo Patton Faith J. Moselle Maureen Nelson Mike & Joann Novak Maren Olson & Kevin & Mary Patty Mark Moser Michael D. Nelson Tom Novotny Jamie McBride David L. Pauba W. Keith Moser Mike Nelson Jean Nowak Mark & Norma Olson Alice C. Paul Dick & Janny Moses Orville T. Nelson Tom Noyes Mary Jane Olson Byron Paulsen Wayne F. Mosey Richard A. Nelson Pat Nunnally Richard S. Olson John Paulson James B. Mosner Roger & Richard Nuss Roger P. Olson Gary Paulu Danice L. Motzko Lolaraye Nelson L.T. Nyberg Ruthie A. Olson Sidney Pauly Roy & Dorothy Motzko Rolf Nelson David Nycklemoe Steve & Jan Olson Russ Paumen Gene Moyer Scott & Barbara Nelson John Nyhus Todd & Andrea Olson Chuck Pavlish Rosalie Mozinski Steven Nelson Steve Nyhus Jann Olsten Robert M. Pavlisich Robert Muehl & Steven P. Nelson Norm Nystrom David & Leigh Oltmans Donald J. Pearce Julia Foster Stub Nelson Karen Oberhauser Lynn K. Olund David M. Pearson Daniel L. Mueller Terry & Linnaea Nelson John & Nancy O’Brien Michael O’Mara John Pearson Steve Mueller Vordyn Nelson Michael & Cathy O’Brien Fay T. Ondler Larry & Pamela Pearson Timothy P. Mueller Wade Nelson Michael J. O’Brien Dennis G. Opdahl Leland & Doris Pearson William Muenster Joseph J. Nemec Richard O’Brien Earl Orf & Roy A. Pedersen Robert Muilenburg Diane Nemitz Vicki L. O’Brien Diana Hestwood Irene Mullen Jackie Nesbitt Jerry Ockenfels Donald & Marge Orgon Dorothy M. Muller Peggy Neseth Earl & Bonnie Ockenga Ryan O’Rourke Bruce D. Mulvaney Nancy Ness Carol O’Connell Ryleigh O’Rourke 63 Thank you donate at mndnr.gov/mcvmagazine or call 888-646-6367.

William L. Pedersen Hugh K. Phillips Norman J. Quanbeck Kim Rewinkel Martin J. Rossbach Lois M. Pelander Martha Phillips Brad Quatier Joe & Pat Reymann Dolan Rossi Pelletier family Jeff Pickering Michael & Betty Quayle Joyce & Dave Reynen Kristine Rossman Dean C. Pelnar Pam Pickett Gregory A. Queen Ben W. Rezac S.J. Roste John & Nancy Penn Jack M. Pickler Frank & Peggy Quigley V.T. Rhodes James D. Rostvold Edward J. Penner David G. Piepgras Thomas M. Quinn Bradley A. Riba Paul Roth family John & Terri Penshorn Bruce Pierce Jeff Raabe Angie Ribar Bill Rottschaefer Desmond & Mae Pepin David W. Pierce Arthur J. Raak Grace V. Rice Mark Roubinek Brett Perish Mavis Pierson David A. Raasch Mark Rice Joseph Rouleau Richard W. Perkins Ernest Pierzina Susan Rabens Robert E. Rice Eric & Sarah Rousar Tony & Irene Perpich Richard P. Pike Lyn C. Rabinovitch & Thomas J. Rice David D. Roussopoulos Ethan Perry & Bill & Peggy Pilacinski John W. Saxhaug Ralph A. Richardson Jane Rova Meredith Cornett Leslie Pilgrim Joseph Racek Raymond Richardson William Rowe Rebecca Person Timothy Pilquist Darryl Radford Ronald Richardson Rower Funeral Home, Becki & Patrick Persons Richard Pinomaki Terry Radke Dan Richter Ken & Pam Spangler Dan Persons Stuart & Roberta Pinsky Olli & Kathy Rahkola Linda Richter Brian Rowles Germain & Mark & Carol Pioske William Rahm Sylvia J. Rick Shirley Rowley Annette Petermeier Joe Pipp Linda Rain Ernest B. Ridens Nancy Rozycki Don Peters Nancy & Steve Piragis Dale Rainey Loren F. Riebel Kenneth Ruble Melvin R. Peters John Pitera & Katherine Jim Raisanen Claude & Laurel Riedel Tim & Carol Ruda Mike & Deb Peters Patterson Karl Raitz Kenneth H. Riedemann Laura G. Rude Robert J. Peters Julie & Craig Pitkin Joseph & Bobbi Rakos Curtis & Marilyn Riege John Rudeen Robert L. Peters Sean Pittelko Wayne Raley Jim Riemenschneider Harry Rudisill David E. Petersen PKT Enterprises Cecil C. Ramnaraine Richard A. Ringstad Stuart L. Ruehle Gary A. Petersen Warren Pladsen John W. Ramsden Roger Rinne Alice A. Rueter Steve Petersen Marian Pladson George H. Ramsey Jim & Pat Ripken Scott Runman Arthur J. Peterson Steve Plambeck Brad & LaTosha Randall Edward C. Ritter Sandra J. Running Bonnie J. Peterson Robert G. Pleban Gyles & Carol Randall Linda Ritter Robert Rupp Brad W. Peterson Robert L. Pletan Leland A. Randall Ron Rizzo Fred Rusch Charles E. Peterson Irvin P. Plitzuweit Darryl Rangel Bill M. Robb Tom & Lynn Rusch Colleen D. Peterson Nan Plude-Bradley Mark J. Rangitsch Barb Roberts Ryan B. Ruschmeyer Dale E. Peterson Richard Poffenbaugh Christine & Calvin W. Roberts David L. Ruschy David N. Peterson Linda Pogorelec Don Rasmussen Jayne M. Roberts Karl Ruser Douglas Peterson Mike & Lynn Pohlman Eric & Nanette Matt & Kim Roberts Anne Rutledge E. Eugene Peterson Brad Point Rasmussen Susan M. Roberts Brad Rutter Elizabeth A. Peterson Jerry E. Pojar Marge Rasmussen Wanda L. Roberts Steve & Marie Rutz Eric & Janelle Peterson Sally B. Polk Sue & Greg Rasmussen E.J. Robertson Christine Ruud Gregory J. Peterson Elisha Polomski Muriel D. Rassier Vince Robichaud Alan & Sally Ruvelson Harvey M. Peterson Arland Polzin William L. Rassier Elaine Robinson James Ruyak Jim & Diane Peterson Ed J. Pomerson Neal H. Rathjen Gary Robinson Dennis Ryan Jim & Sharon Peterson Pomme De Terre Game Rochelle Rau Louise L. Robison Eileen Ryan Josephine L. Peterson Farm, William J. Krump Steve Rau Daniel M. Roebbeke Dr. & Mrs. J. Judith A. Peterson Mark J. Ponsolle Tony & Julia Rau Randy & Kathy Roehl Michael Ryan Keith Peterson Ervin Ponto Deborah Rausch Charles E. Roessler Michael Ryan Keith H. Peterson George M. Pope Karleen Ravendalen Richard Rog Richard K. Ryan Kristen & Judy Poplawski Darla & John Rayman Mike & Andrea Rogers Lon J. Rylander Timothy Peterson Bruce Porisch Ernest E. Read Maryn & Thomas Rogge Vern C. Rylander Marilyn J. Peterson Dennis Porter Ronald Reagan Patricia Roggenkamp Denis Ryono & Merle & Betty Peterson Wayne & Leonore Potter Wayne Rebischke James E. Rogne Laurine Speltz Patricia Peterson Andrew Pouliot Red Lake County Central James H. Rolando Mabel A. Rys Patti & Steve Peterson Diane Pouliot Sr., Shelley Steva Rod C. Rolfe Steig Sabee Phillip M. Peterson Nancy L. Powell Lyn Redding Ralph Rolland Beth Sabolik Richard & Leah Peterson Robert & Barb Pozner Thomas G. Redmann Jon S. Rollinger Marge M. Sagstetter Robert A. Peterson Barbara L. Pratt Kenneth W. Reed Sylvia & George Roman Duane Sakry Ronald A. Peterson Richard & David J. Reeder Connie Romo Rex Sala Silas C. Peterson Jr. Janie Prestidge Thomas F. Reek Theresa Romportl Tom & Mary Salkowski Sonja Peterson Chris Price Ruth & Keith Reeves Fred F. Ronkowski D.C. Sall Sylvia Peterson Kash Priebe Rhonda Regnier Tom & Diane Rosch Frank Salomonsen Vince R. Peterson Weslie W. Priest Andrew Rehbein Sandy & John Roscoe Gavin E. Salsbery Warren H. Peterson Jacqueline Prince Betty J. Reid Gerald & A. Salsman Conrad L. Peterzen Curtis Pritchard Eugene Reid Elizabeth Rosdahl Gary Salzl Joan & John Petroff Carl E. Prosek Barb Reilly Roseau County SWCD Douglas D. Salzwedel Roger W. Petry Alan & Susan Prozinski Roberta Y. Reilly Thomas J. Roseen Angela Sammon Paula Pettit Lynda Puckett William M. Reilly Bill Rosen Curtis A. Sampson Robert Petty Craig A. Purkat James & Julie Reimer Terry & Skip Rosen Larry B. Sampson Robert A. Petzel Anne & Brian Richard O. Reinhart Veronica Rosenau & Daniel Sandager Larry Pfaff Purrington Noell W. Reinhiller Donald Uphold Eugene A. Sandberg Ruth Pfaller Doug R. Purrington James T. Reistad Forrest Rosenbower Linda Sander Amy Pfankuch Dennis Puterbaugh David & Colleen Reitan Robert W. Rosene Ann Sandford Charles C. Pfeffer Jr. Calvin & Steve Renner Jim & Judy Ross Dorothy & Lee Sanford Jeremy & Michelle Pharr Sandra Puttbrese Ray Rensenbrink Mary K. Ross Dick Sarafolean Glenice Phelps James F. Putzel Joe Rethmeier Robert Ross Sandra S. Sather Alan Phillips Robert S. Pye Beryl Rettinger Thomas J. Ross John Satnik David B. Phillips Gary & Mary Quam Nicholas F. Reuter Vince Ross Jacque & Max Saucedo GARY ALAN NELSON

Jerry Sauer Joyce M. Schowalter Kathleen Severin Marlo Sloan Paul J. Stary Cameron D. Saunders Gary E. Schraut Janice Severs Richard & Kay Smaby Anthony J. Stauber Shelly Saunders Brian Schreiber Kieth E. Severson Xander Smaby William Staudinger Gary & Pam Saunders James M. Schreiber Ron & Kelly Sexton Ted J. Smetak Ernest & Joe & Geri Sausen David A. Schreifels Sally & Tony Sexton Greg & Martha Smetana Jan Stauffenecker Gene Sauter Harold & Bev Schreifels Stanley J. Seys Susan Smilanich Deb Stave Mary Savina Cliff Schroeder Steve Seys Bill & Diane Smith Janet Stavros Shirley A. Sawyer Denise Schroeder Maria T. Shackett Cynthia R. Smith Patricia Stearns Timothy & Sally Sawyer Kenneth W. Schroeder Robert Shadduck Daniel J. Smith Marilyn Steen Maureen Scaglia Lloyd Schrum Mark Shafer Ethel J. Smith Ginger Stees & Tony Scander Curt & Bev Schrupp Patrick Shannon Gene Smith Carol Skay Chris Scanlan Tom Schuette Cary & Michelle Sharp Greg & Laura Smith Dan Steffen Tom Scaramuzzo Mary Schulte Jerald & Delores Shaver Harriet Smith Ruth M. Steidl B. Schachtele Jennifer Schultz Billy Shaw Jessica Smith John J. Steigauf Doris E. Schaefer Mel & Maryann Schultz Jack Shaw Kathy & Brett Smith Tom Steigauf J.A. Schaefer Tim A. Schultz Jane E. Shaw Leslie Smith Delphine B. Stein Scott & Kate Schaefers Greg & Karen Schulz Robert W. Shaw Mike Smith Mike & Rocki Stein Mary Schaefle Dean Schumacher family Kathleen Shea Richard Hamilton Smith Jonathan Steinberg & Robert G. Schafer Heidi Schumacher William & Sharon Shea Robert & Marilyn Smith Kathleen Watson Ron Schafer Kathleen Schumacher Grace & Rick Sheely Sheldon Smith Larry & Lewis A. Schaper Russell J. Schumacher Donna Sheets Wiley & Sue Smith Rhonda Steinberg Mary Ann Scharf Margaret Schumann Julie Shepersky William E. Smith Les Steiner Dan & Mary Schauer Ronald Schut Marie & Jim Sheppard Mark C. Smithson Edwin J. Stellmach John D. & Kathy & Jim Schute Morris Sheppard Peter T. Smyth John Stelzner Bonnie M. Scheel Robert W. Schwab Gary L. Sheridan Brad & Brenda Snickers Charles E. Stephan David & Mike Schwager John D. Sherman Gerald B. Snyder Stephens family Lu-Anne Scheerer Peter & Linda Schwamb Roger & Nan Snyder Martin L. Stephens Greg & Linda Scherer L.K. Schwartz Phyllis Sherman Robert L. Snyder Joyce L. Stephenson Don & Jean Scherfenberg Dr. Michael Schwartz Alvhild M. Sherve Mary Kay Sobcinski Kurt Sternal Michele Schermann Janet Schwarz Vernon Shields Linda Soderholm George Sterzinger Stuart & Lola Schwarz Simon Shimanski Robert E. Soleim Shelley A. Steva Stephanie Scheu Robert Schwarz Jennifer Shing Donald L. Solem David R. Stevens Doug Scheunemann Robert Schwegel Sharon & Dr. Solem & R. Booth Gary & Vicki Stevens Mrs. Robert Schickling Paul T. Schweppe Hiro Shinomiya Matt Solensky Sandra A. Stevens Jerry Schiebe Keith Schwichtenberg Scott Sholund Don & Mary Somers Dennis Stevenson David Schiller Bob Schwob Burt Shotley Duane C. Sonnenburg Darrin & Kristin Stewart Rob Schiller Barbara Scotford Gordon T. Shriver Thomas H. Sopoci Thomas Stewig Ann & Jim Schilling Bob Scott Pamela Shubat David L. Sorensen Norton G. Stillman John W. Schiltgen Darlene & Glen Scott Tim & Marsha Shuff Diane Sorensen Lela M. Stillwell Kathy Schissel David H. Scott Steve Shult Mark Sorensen Dr. Thomas Stillwell Sharon Schlangen David R. Scott Richard G. Siebenaler Lee & Yvonne Sorenson Glenn & Phyllis Stimler Sue Schlicht Monty Scrabeck Marla Siegler John Sorteberg Scott Stimler Robert Schlichting Duane & Marilyn Sea Carolyn Sieraski Mike & Nancy Sortum Peggy K. Stockwell Lisa Schlingerman Ruth Searle Chris Siercks Harold & Amy Sorvik Thomas Stoffel Fred Schlingman Mary L. Seavey David Sievert Lewann Sotnak Mary A. Stogsdill Betty Schloemer James A. Sederholm Paul & Relma Siirila Robert L. Spanjers Gary Stohl Betty Schlosser David Lee Seelen Jon Sikkila Myron A. Spaude Derrick W. Stolen Mark Schmid & Lawrence & Gayle Segal Silicon Valley Warren & Cherie Spawn Anthony & Teresa Stone Sandra Dennis Fred W. Segler Community Richard J. Specht John D. Stone Barbara Schmidt James Sehm Foundation, Scientific Judith Spellman Patrick S. Stone Ed Schmidt John R. Sehner Employee Engagement Wayne R. Spickzka Richard Stone Ellen Schmidt Ray Seibert Fund Wayne H. Spindler John Stoneburner J. Stephen Schmidt Steve & Mary Seidlitz Pat & Dave Siljenberg Peter Spink Marilee Storest Jim Schmidt Walter G. Seidlitz Jr. Fritz M. Simcoe Mike K. Spittler Warren D. Stortroen Peter Schmidt John W. Seifert George M. Simmons Patty & Phil Splett Linda Stowe Susan Schmidt Glen E. Seigfreid Joseph J. Simon Thomas Spoden Richard Strait Bill & Liz Schmitt Scott Seigfreid John Simones David & Sandy Spohn Bruce & Pat Strand Paul H. Schmitt Bob & Marree Seitz Joanne L. Simonsen Dale R. Spoolhoff Janice Strand Peter & Barb Schmitt Jim Seitz Bob & Toni Simonson Grant & Pamela Springer Dr. Roger W. Strand Janelle Schnadt Sylvia Sekhon Tom Simonson Lloyd G. Staedy Gary A. Strandemo Carl M. Schneider George G. Selcke Tom & Sharon Simpson Herb Stahnke Bill & Charlotte Strei Charles P. Schneider Herbert & Mara Sellars H.R. Sinex Dale R. Staiger Joshua Streich Dave Schneider Terry Selleck Katie A. Sipe Daniel Staker Gordon & Richard & Brenda Sellner Duane Sippel Ernest Stalock Heather Streiff Jennifer Schneider Claudia Sellner Beth & Jeff Siverhus Mike Stalpes Judy M. Stringer Richard W. Schneider Floyd & Mary Sellner David A. Skeim Stephanie Stang Gary Stroeing Doug Schnur Michael Senjem John D. Skildum James R. Stanhope Dorothy Strom Betty O. Schoeberl Ronald E. Senn Mark & Linda Skinner Rose Ann Stans Jeffrey D. Stromberg Ernst A. Schoenfeld Dave & Pat Senogles Elgin Skluzacek George C. Stansbury Joseph R. Sturdivant Herbert A. Schoening Russell G. Serbus Bob & Yuko Skottegaard James & Somsy Stanton Gary D. Stursa Nancy Schollett Dr. Surendra Sethi Mike Skweres Charles A. Stark Thomas A. Schomaker Dale & Michelle Jackie Sladky Bernadette Starr Pat Schott Setterholm Grace L. Slagle Careme Starr Donald R. Schow II Judy Sevada Roger & Kay Slater Jane A. Starr 65 Thank you donate at mndnr.gov/mcvmagazine or call 888-646-6367.

John H. Sucher Janice K. Templin Virginia L. Tinucci Charles Van Guilder Dr. Fred E. Walker Jr. Cher & Jim Sulerud Mike Temte Elizabeth Tisel Laurie Van Heel Tim Walker Brian Sullivan John Terry Matthew & Mandy Toavs Lonnie & Deb Van Klei Evelyn Wall Rolf A. Sumstad Mary Tessman Dan R. Toewe Fred Van Krevelen Jon B. Wallin Bob Sundberg Donald R. Tessmer Orton R. Tofte Willis & Maureen & Jim Walsh Matthew Sundberg Joan Tester Patricia Tofte Irene Van Norman Don & Carolyn Walter Michelle Sundeen Rebecca R. Tetlie Erling E. Tokle Garth Vanoss David Walters Duane & David L. Tevis Eric Tollefson Douglas A. Van Overbeke Robert J. Walters Louise Sunderman Martin Thames Jr. Clay S. Tolonen Lee A. Van Overbeke Nick Wander Elli Sundholm Diana L. Tharalson Fr. Frank S. Tomasiewicz Teresa Van Son & Dean Wangen Bob Sundquist Thomas Theiringer Pat & Tom Tommet Richard Voorhees Chuck & Marge Wanous Daniel Sundsmo Chuck Theis Donald & Sharon Tonn Linda & Chuck & Nate & Francis Theis Mary Tonn Jack Van Straaten Kristie Wanstrom Mary Sunnarborg Chuck Thelen Gene & Cindy Tonne Steve Van Vleet Thomas M. Wappes Patricia Surla Jamie & Beth Thelen Dave & Judy Topinka Carol H. Varner Edy Ward Richard & Kathy Svanda Glenn E. Theorin Stan Tordsen Donna Varty Lynette & Tom Ward Kent Svee Sheryl A. Theuninck Roald Tormondsen Tom C. Veblen Marvin S. Ward Butch Svenson Hubert Thibodeau Charles D. Torrens Brad Veenstra Nate & Susan Ward Frank & Valdene Svezia Marianne Thielen Scott A. Tostenson John R. Velin Sharon L. Ward C.M. Svihel Simon Thielen Duane Tougas John & Corinne Vener Bret & Kelly Wargin Jim Svobodny David & Mary Thielman Wes Trana Linda Verbeck Warneke family Craig T. Swaggert Thomas Thielman Robert J. Traun Elon S. Verry George Warner Enid Swaggert Valeria M. Thielman Jeff & Lee Trebatowski Rose Vesely Dorothy A. Warrant Dorothy Swan Craig Thiesen Richard G. Trembley Gen. John W. Vessey Judy K. Warren James Swan Dan & Sandy Thimgan Steven Tri Darrell M. Vetter Carol B. Waschbusch Dolores Swangstue Joel & Joyce Thisius Khuong Trieu Karen Vickberg Rud C. Wasson Addie & Ruby Swanson Milly O. Thissen Trillium Services, Dean F. Vikan Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Allan F. Swanson Barbara Thode Jim Annis John Vinje III Watson Bonnie Swanson Joann Thoe David L. Trompeter Patrick Virnig John Waugh Danny Swanson Alan G. Thole Robert L. Trompeter Ken Visger Heather Waye Darlene J. Swanson John P. Tholl Rainbow Trout Tony Vittorio George & Darryl L. Swanson Gregory J. Thomas & Phil & Mary Troutwine Ann M. Voelker Barbara Weatherston Earl C. Swanson Carol Downie Debra J. Trumm Patricia Voghtman Roger & Kathy Weaver Jerome & Richard Thomas Tom Trusty David E. Vogt Danny & Carolyn Weber Margaret Swanson Brad & Wendy Thompson Steve J. Tschacher Robert A. Vogt Don & Peggy Weber Richard & Chris & Sarah Thompson Andy Tscholl Judy Voigt Richard & Ione Weber Bonnie Swanson Deb & Mike Thompson John J. Tschumperlin Robert & Lois Vojtech Stephen Weber & Richard J. Swanson Edward & Steven & M.K. Volk Vickie Tholkes Richard L. Swanson Kate Thompson Lucynda Tsukichi Mark J. Volkmuth Clark & Eve Webster Robert C. Swanson Jay & Susan Thompson Lisa Tuller Robert & Scott Webster Scott Swanson Robert W. Thompson Randy J. Tuma Luminita Vollmer Michelle D. Weck Terry J. Swanson Steven R. Thompson Mike Tuohy Charles E. Vollum Barbara Wedekind Jean B. Sweeney Tom & Judy Thompson Dan & Lisa Tupy Jerry Von Bargen Harold L. Weed Marie I. Sweeny Virginia & Marcia Turcotte Lynn Von Ohlen Kenneth L. Weeks Clifford G. Swenson Donald Thompson James Turgeon Lorna M. Vooge Aleta D. Wegner Connie & Arlan Swenson Wallace J. Thompson Warren J. Turman Suzann M. Voss Cassie Wegner Duane Swenson Michael Thomsen Lawrence J. Turner Kevin J. Voth Sharon Wehner Erik Swenson Peter Thoreen Spencer A. Turner Mark Voxland LuRay Weiher Jane Swenson Leon Thoreson David W. Twomey John & Jill Vuchetich Mark Weinandt Roger Swenson Lynda T. Thorland Terry Twomey Dr. Jim Wachlarowicz Norein M. Weinandt Susan Swenson Tom F. Thornton Bob & Peg Tyler Tom Wachlarowicz J.P. Weiner Michael C. Swift & John A. Thors Stuart & Frances Ulfers Calvin Wachter Don Weirens & Dr. Anne Walter Ann Thorsen Dale W. Ulrich Ed Wachutka Leah Meyer Edmond Sworsky Chris & Nancy Thorsen Darryl & Gloria Ulrich Wallace Wadd Harry Weiss Jr. Merle H. Sykora Steven G. Thorson Lawrence J. Ulrich Jr. Gerald P. Waddick Timm M. Weiss Kent Sylvander Thor & Cathy Thorson Elizabeth Ungar J.C. Waddington Verne & Phyllis Weiss Jeffrey R. Syring Robert Thour Jerome C. Unger Dave & Betty Wade Barbara Weisz Patricia Tabako Helen M. Thran Martha Unke Mike Wagman John J. Weitz Lloyd Tack Ruth Ann Thudell Carol & Roger Upcraft Arleen Wagner Welinski Rod Alan S. Tague Eugene & Karen Thull John & Douglas E. Wagner Company, LLC Bob Taubman Curtis J. Thurn Jennifer Urbanski J. Scott Wagner E.J. Welle J.M. Taves Lloyd N. Thyen Gordon E. Utermarck Karen Wagner Wells Fargo Bank, Charles & Joan Taylor Michael Tibbetts Ronald K. Utley Neil Wagner Community Support Gordon Taylor Gary Lee Tibbitts Mark S. Uttermark Roy H. Wagner Campaign Janet & Patrick Taylor Rick J. Tibesar Kirk & Susan Vadnais William Wagner John Welshons Molly Taylor Dr. James J. Tiede Joan T. Vagt Carol Wahl Peter Welshons Phil Taylor Renee Tierney Renee Vail Larry Wahl Gerald P. Welter Roger Teachworth Douglas G. Tiffany Renee Valois Wilfred N. Waisanen Dennis Wendt Tony & Vicki Teale Kathy Tilbury Adelyn & Zach Van Abel Sandra L. Waite Paul Werler Dennis Tebbe Julie Tilka Brian Van Abel Kim Waknitz Darrel & Judy Werner Richard W. Teeters Diane & Eugene Timgren Brian Van Der Bosch Mark J. Waldo Luke Werner Michael Tegeder Julie Tinberg Roy E. Vance David Waldron Nancy & Gary Teichert Barbara Tindle Judith K. Van Dyne Deanna Walker Jim Werner-Azarski Neil Tellijohn Stephen & Mae Tinguely Gary Van Erp Donald P. Walker Bruce Werre GARY ALAN NELSON

Lewis Wesenberg Thomas D. Wilharber Fred & Eleanor Kathy A. Worden Frank D. Zentek West Wind Resort John Wilke Winston Thomas & Dixie Worth Dennis A. Zetah Duane Westberg Daniel Wilkens Gordon Winter Bob Wright Mary T. Zeug Michael Westby Larry Wilkens & Kendra Winter Charles W. Wright & Wesley E. Ziebarth Connie Westlund Mary Lindgren James A. Wisner Suzanne F. Wright Robert Ziegeweid Jeffrey T. Wetmore Matt Wilkens family William D. Wiste Mildred Wrucke Mark Ziegler Dan Wetterlin & Annie Will Susan M. Wittkopf Gretchen & Bud Ed Zieroth Mona Inman Mary K. Willert Rick Wittwer Wunderlich Susan Ziesche Dick & Bernie Wettersten Allan N. Williams Tom & Jackie Witty Joshua Wurst Arlene Zimmerman Susan Weum Donna Williams John Witzel Katherine Wyers family Bonnie Zimmerman Grant & Marsha Weyland Gary H. Williams Bruce Wizik Ann Wynia Tom Zimmerman Sandra L. Wheeler James R. Williams Amy & Tim Wodarski Don Yaeger Jeff & Jeanne Zlonis David Whipple John D. Williams Amy Woell & Naomi Loges Douglas Yankowiak Greg P. Zniewski Lawrence R. Whitaker Jr. Terry Williams Ernest & Sharon Ben Yau Robert D. Zuehlke Bob & Faith Whitcraft Terry & Barbara Woizeschke Alec Ybarra Carol L. Zulker James P. White Williams Paul W. Wojahn Dr. & Mrs. Matthew Kurt E. Zuppke Nora K. White Mr. & Mrs. John M. Norma Wojtalewicz D. Yelle Dennis Zuzek Nancy Whitesell Williamson Edward Wokasch Charles Yenni Arvin Zwart Nancy Whiting Orlo V. Willmert Allan L. Wold Barry K. Yocom & Stephan G. Zweifel John P. Whitten Bob Wills David J. Wold Betty Christ Steve R. Whittet Jim & Kate Wills Roger Wold Nancy & Glen Yoshida Joel B. Wiberg Dean N. Willson J. Wolf Dennis Youlden Matching Gifts Todd Wicklund Larry Willwerscheid Jerry Wolf Don Youngdahl Per H. Wickstrom Carrie Wilmot John A. Wolf Noah Youngs Ameriprise Financial Doug & Elise Widen Alex H. Wilson Kellie A. Wolf Roger Younker Arch Insurance Mattie Widen Jane Wilson Marty J. Wolf Jef Younkin Group Inc. Elroy Wiederich Jim & Carol Wilson Craig & Terri Wolfe Ted & Geri Zabrosky Assurant Foundation George J. Wiegand Mark Wilson Stephen P. Wolff Mark Zack Dorsey & Whitney LLP Mike & Pam Wiehe Michael & Sandra Wilson John E. Woll Barbara J. Zahn General Mills Steven Wiener Shirley M. Wilson Eldon W. Wollmann Carleton Zahn Foundation Bret & Mary Wightman Susan D. Wilson Joann Wolner Larry & Jo Zambino Microsoft Corporation Rita Wilczek & W.J. Wilson Mike Wolter Kim Zander RBC Foundation USA Alan Wichman Sue Wiltgen Ron & Jolie Wood Lerton R. Zander Red Wing Shoe Company Dale Wildman John Wimmer Rachel & Gene Marc W. Zastera Salesforce Organization David K. Wildung Duane T. Windahl Woodhouse Rudolph Zattoni Toro Foundation Thomas & Carol Wiley Duane A. Winkler Joyce Woody Richard E. Zelenski U.S. Bancorp Linda A. Wilford John M. Winslow Dr. Blair & Jo Woolsey Leon J. Zender Voya Financial

Jackson Hay, by Bernelle Hay Tim & Mary Munkeby, by Eric Munkeby In Honor of Hendel family, by Dave Hendel Donald N. Nelson, by Betsy Will Kenneth R. Hensel, by Phyllis A. Hensel Michael & Melanie Nelson, by Keith & James P. Ackermann, by Brian & Keith Herzog, by Raymond Herzog Susan Nelson Tina Ackermann Pauline A. Hietala, by John Hietala June L. Nerness, by Larry M. Smith Joshua & Kristin Anvid, by Mary Jo Anvid Leslie Hilke, by Bruce Hilke Leanna & Jeremy Ogg, Jr., by Bruce & RyAnna & Deekon Anvid, by Mary Jo Anvid Alex Holzemer, by Richard Holzemer Barb Brown Noah Barbosa, by Joel & Nancy Wiberg Richard Jochman, by Kyle Jochman Mary Lou Oldenburg, by Warren Guy Borden Oscar Johnson, by Kurt Walther & Winkelman Boy Scout Troop 327 Nancy Hall Douglas Olson Carol Cadwell, by Tom & Cindy Winter George E. Karp, by Jeanne M. Oelfke Richard O’Neill, by Diane Huxtable Trevor Del Caro-Crom, Lee Keehr & Keehr families, by S.M. Keehr John Overland, by Crimmins family by Barbara Del Caro Scaia Dan & Natalie Kibat, by their dad Mary Jane Pacheco, by Kathleen Weflen Merrill Carver, by Jeremy & Kate Zabel William E. Kirchner Dave & Kathy Palmquist, by James Eddy Children of the world, Merlin Klintworth, by Merle & Our grandsons, by Mike & Sandy Parker by Rod & Char Westrum Elizabeth Klintworth Dale & Jane Pederson, by Maurice Coughlin Brian M. Collins, by Mom & Tim Marge Knowlton, by Ken Knowlton Erik Andrew Peterson David & Janey Czeck, by Dyanna, Char, Katie, & Kyle, by Dan Knutson Katherine E. Porter Jason, & Louisa Delmont Kohls, by Debra A. Hoffman Gregory Potthoff, by Christina Rahm Lucia Dahl & Jack Stank, by Grandpa Dahl Duane Kundert Howard & Joe Ann Powell Myrna Dorrance John Ladwig & Gene Fuller, by Todd & Rob Raplinger, by Karen S. Hill Brendan Dunlap, by Cheryl Dunlap Stacy Ladwig Lynnette Rasmussen, by Mark Rasmussen Jerry & Terri Dudly, Tom Lembeck family Cheryll Reitmeier, by JoAnn Andringa by Pete & Kathie Moberg Sander Lien Ray Rensenbrink, by Jennifer Rensenbrink Stacy Dvorak, by Tim Halloran Fritz Lueck, by Dan & Ellen Sherry Dorothy Romoser, by Mary Romoser Robert Eggleston, by Susan Eggleston William Macheska, by Kenneth Macheska Orlando & Gloria Ruschmeyer Emmelia & Finnley, by Gramma & Grampa Jan Mack, by Beth Hawkins Mary Pat Schmid, by Conrad Schmid Steve R. Erickson, by MPE Benjamin Malcoljl Greg Schmidt, by Michelle Ye Nancy Falkum Pat, Paul, & Nancy, by Joyce McCracken Laudato Si, by Rev. Kevin Clinton Donald R. Gard, by Patricia Gard MCV readers, by Mark S. Peterson Craig Smith, by Lynn Keillor Brandon Giaquinto & Rich Anthony, Minnesota nature by Katy Anthony Kathie Moberg, by Pete Moberg Gretchen & Tom Griffin Gary & Leo Morehart, by Judy Winkler Coley Grostyan, by Shirley Stassen Bernie & Barb Mosner, by Kenneth Mosner 67 Thank you in memory of ~ donate at mndnr.gov/mcvmagazine or call 888-646-6367.

Linda Smolnisky, by Dale Smolnisky Marjorie M. Boelter, by Pete & John F. Dean, by Jason Dean Margaret Sorensen & Margaret Somrock, Lorrie Pesheck Benjamin Decker, by Kevin Hiniker by Dan & Judy Somrock Bob Bonner, by Gerry Bonner Jimmy Devich, by Christine Peterson Norton Sorenson, by Ivar Sorenson Fred C. Borgwardt, by Ann Borgwardt Justin C. Dike, by James E. Dike Donald Sward, by Justin Tumberg Francis & Frances Brandel, by Joel & Katherine Deutsch, by Gay & Jeff Stabnow Ron Tauer Diane Brandel Jerry & Emil Dey, by Sally Dey Traust clients, by Mark S. Peterson Robert Bredemus, by Mitzi David Dill, by Mike & Mary Williams Rebekah & Alayna Triethart, by Mom & Dad deceased family members, by Ron & Norma Dillon, by John Dillon & Ronald W. Tombarge, Paula Breid Shelly Schmit by Brian & Tina Ackermann Russell Breuer, by Shirley Breuer Dale Dodson, by Iva M. Dodson Thomas Walkington, Dustin Breuer, by Charles Breuer Mel & Rob Doering, by Valerie Doering by Maya Walkington-Stauber John Brightman, by Dorothea Brightman Dr. Gale Donaldson, by Tom Donaldson Wm. Byron Webster III, Pamela Leveque Brink, by Val Gabbert George Donovan, by Mary Lou Donovan by Karen & Byron Webster Dwight & Thelma Brown, Jeff Donovan, by Mary Ann & Harland Wegner, by Paul Wegner by Karen Jeffords-Brown Roger Donovan Mark Welinski, by Joel Smetanka Gust U. Brown, by Fern Brown Randy Drill, by Denise Drill Crystal Wisen, by Robert C. Wisen Lucian & Mary Brown Harry Driste Elias Loges Woell, by Mark Woell & Leonard & Hazel Bucek, by William & Inez Duenow, by James Meyer Naomi Loges Craig & Jan Eggers Jason D. Dunn, by Cheryl & Dale Dunn Elmer S. Worden, by Duaine Worden Gordy Buchanan, by Ryan & Liam Buchanan Jeanette Durkee, by Durk Durkee & Lawrence & Ellen Yetka, Herbert Budig, by Al & Carolyn Landstrom Lois Tibbetts-Durkee by Frank & Christine Yetka Herbert Budig, by Barbara & John Fox Norm Dybdahl, by Jay Dybdahl Margo M. Ziegler, by Bruce D. Ziegler Herb & Mary Buelow Roy “Farmer” Eckholm, by Peter & Nicholas & Janice Buescher, Nancy Eckholm by Lee Buescher John H. Ederer Sr., by Jan Ederer Jamieson Mike Bulger, by Kim Bulger Jim Edman, by Kevin & Peggy Bausman Ryan Michael Burmis Edward & Eileen Eggers, by Robert Eggers J.W. Burnett MD, by Daniel J. Baker MD Molly Friedman Egstad In Memory of Richard “Pops” Bye, Adelia Ellig by Matt Amundson family Joseph Emanuel, by Donald Emanuel Grandpa Adams, by Kruger family John W. Callinan, by LIsa & Trent Whitcomb Helen & Lynn Emerson, by Janet & Archie & Susan Alexander, David Campbell, by Don & Betty Campbell Gary DeGuise by Alexander family Paul D. Campbell, by Drew & Dawn Campbell Jess Erickson, by Angela Erickson Joe Alexander, by Shirley Alexander Paula Cannon, by Doug Cannon Robert & Joanne Erickson, by Valek family Darrell Anderson, by Janice Anderson Lenny & Lorraine Caouette, Les Estes Louise C. Anderson, by Judy Rankin by Wendy O’Neil Steven Falk, by Glenda Clausen Ronald B. Anderson, by Debra L. Anderson Harlan & Delores Carey, by family Angela Farris, by William & Susan Farris Trudy Anderson, by A. Eric Anderson Ted Carlson, by Sandy Carlson Patricia Feldhege, by David G. Feldhege Carl Andrus, by Steve & Marlene Andrus Thomas Carlson, by Dennis Carlson Jack & Kathleen Fena, by Lynn Fena & Obed Asp, by Susan Olsen Ardyth Carpenter, Jerry Bakke Donald J. Babin, by Sharell Babin by Lynda Carpenter-Gemlo Edwin Fenton, by Geri Fenton Audrey Bacik Dr. Robert & Lorraine Cesnik, by Judy & Mark Fiedler, by Norb Fiedler Gene & Ella Backes, by Bonnie & Ron Stock Larry Slocum Emil S. Fiesel, by Michael & Stacie Hafner Jerri Baker, by Ron Baker Dale L. Charbonneau, by Larry & Malcolm M. & Nancy R. Fifield, Herbert B. Balfanz, by family Kathryn Charbonneau by Peter Fifield Bob Banitt Veronica Charlson, by Jeanne Gaston Herbert Fischer, by grandchildren Robert S. Banks, by Adrienne B. Banks E.A & M.L. Charpentier, by J.J. & Cecelia Fish, by Patricia Fish & Felix & Rose Banttari J.A. Charpentier Susan Gurley Shirley Barobs, by Joan & Rick Naymark Margery Christenson, by Richard Wakefield Myron & Mickey Fisher, by John & Edna Barsness Orville Christianson, by Milt Haugen C.J. Fisher Frank Barton, by Bill Barton Duane E. Clapp, by Clapp family Dick Fitzgerald, by Bob & Teresa Brown Bonita Bartsch, by Faye & Bob H. Ray Cline, by David R. Cline Britt, by Therese & Jeff Flicek Sharon A. Bauer, by William F. Bauer Robert C. Coborn Sr., by Robert C. Coborn Jr. Charles T. Flugum, by Merlin K. Flugum William & Linda Beam, by Kristen Beam Jerry & Mary Colbert, by Paul Colbert Paul Foley, by Dave Foley Jerry H. Becker Herb Cook, by Richard Cook Louise Fortmeyer, by Phil Fortmeyer Russell Becker, by Tom Becker Byron Freeman Cooper Arlen & LaVonne Foss, by Craig Foss Evelyn Beitlich Jim Cooper, by Barbara S. Ryan Lyle & Lorraine Fox, by Penny Niemi Donald R. Bell, by Pat Bell Donald Cornell, by Jean Cornell Robert W. Fox, by Barbara & John Fox Joseph Benson, by Thomas Benson Paul Cornett, by Roger & Jody Cornett Paul Donald Franta Banita Bergh Jerry Corrish, by Pat & Dottie Renner Harlan Fredericksen, by Gilbert Rossman Rollin L. Bergquist, by Anna Bergquist Dr. Richard T. Cushing, by Maggie Cushing Kevin Fretschel, by Audrey & Oscar & Marie Bergstrom, Marjorie R. Neumann Daak Sarah Fretschel by Benita Bergstrom Dave & Barb Dahl, by Dave & Kevin Fretshel, by Ed & Joann Hondlik Don & Gerry Berlin, by Chuck & Barb Katz Fran Nordhausen Louis T. Fritz Sr., by Corinne T. Fritz Steven W. Beyering, by Ron M. Kor Dick Dahlager, by Carol McCarthy Family Tim Froehlich, by Ann Froehlich LaVonne Bitu, by Jon Bitu Vern Dahlberg, by Steve & Marlene Andrus Ruth C. Furber, by Jim Furber Larry Bjoraker Josh William Dakin, by Dorothy Dakin Don & Marilyn Gable, by Greg Gable Kermit Bjorge, by Helen Bjorge Iona Dalluge, by Chuck & Onalee Slowinski “Wally” Gaebel, by Mike Gaebel John F. Blackstone, by Linda Kjerland Carol Louise Damberg Hope H. Garrahan Robert O. Blake, by Richard & Kathleen Blake George & Gladys Danielzuk, Mary Geddes, by Roger Geddes William “Bill” Blom, by Richard Kvam by Michael Danielzuk Daniel Gedker, by Mom & Dad Nancy Blyler, by Tom, Amy, Matt, Denny Dasovic, by Larry Dasovic Robert Gefvert & Andy Thornton Orion “Big Boy”, by Marion Dauner Lawrence “Bud” Gerrish, John Boelter, by John Hunt Jack Davies by Don & Dar Anderson Thank you in memory of ~ donate at mndnr.gov/mcvmagazine or call 888-646-6367. GARY ALAN NELSON

Keith Geske, by Joan Geske Richard Hudak, by Debra K. Lichtenberg Leo & Josephine Lannon, by bill Lannon Herbert Girtz, by Jim Girtz Harland & Vivian Huenecke, by Lee & Axel “Buddy” Larsen Stephen Glady Brenda Huenecke Ernest Lauren Larson, by Claire & A. Dean & Carla Glattly, by Alison Glattly John Hulsizer, by Jenni Hulsizer Roger Bock L. Wilton Godel, by Laurel & Dawn Godel Eileen Lyons Hume, by Sandy Robin Evort G. Larson, by sons & daughters Alan Goldknopf Harold Ibach, by Margaret Ibach Goodman Larson, by Gary Larson & Sheila Gordon, by Jeff Gordon Suzanne Irene April Gerard George Gotwald, by Cynde Trulson Chester C. Isakson, by Vivian Isakson Luke, by Jon Gary Larson John Graupman, by nieces & nephews Veronica James, by Gina & Carlton Frank Bob Lazier, by Dennis Lodermeier Grace W. Gray, by Sally Jorgensen Jim Jansen, by John Jansen Malcolm Lee, by Lee family Bryan L. Green, by Carol Green Hugo Jaumann, by Erwin Jaumann Stephen D. Leef, by Phyllis J. Leef Paul Douglas Grinager, by Paula & Roman Jaus Robert & Lillian Lehman Kathleen Grinager A.B. Johnson, by Judith Johnson Gordon Leraux, by John Hoshal Lois Grover, by Tom Schackman Betty Johnson, by Joe & Teresa McDonnell Phyllis Lewsin Paul Gruchow, by Ardith Tofteland Gerald F. Johnson, by Cheryl A. Johnson Duane Lexvold, by Dawn Lexvold Paul Gruchow, by Ridge Henderson James Earl “Jim” Johnson, Robert Limanen, by Sally Limanen Wayne “Bud” Grue, by Tom Grue by Cameron Johnson Ken Lind John K. Gunderson, by Robert J. Paulson Margaret “Peg” Johnson, by Rich & Janelle Lindberg, Larry Grundhoefer Irene Johnson by Clint & Cheryl Lindberg Carla A. Gurske, by Burdette & Margie Johnson Bob Lindgren, by Shirley Lindgren Arlene Peterson Orville Johnson & Olga Johnson, Nancy Lindner, by Jack Lindner Michael Halbur, by Leon Halbur by Cal Johnson Tom Linhares Dennis E. Haley, by Carol Haley Rex & Jean Johnson, by Wade F. Johnson Harvey Linscheid, by Neil Linscheid Ev Hall, by Bobbie Hall Marvin Jones, by Sue Lemm Richard Liska Bernie Halver, by Joyce Halver Joe Jordan, by Nancy Bembenek Vik & Rose Loke, by Kathy Loke Wade Hambleton, by Donna & Alvin L. Julson, by Dennis R. Julson Richard O. Long, by Barb LeVasseur Glen Hambleton Joyce Robison Kahn, Richard O. Long, by Josephine Long Ronald O. Hannem, by Bruce R. Hannem by Deborah Morse-Kahn Robert Loscheider, by Ron & Frances, Clifford & Gary Hanson, by Duane Kallio, by Steve & Scott Kallio Kathy Loscheider Vernon Hanson family Jay Kallroos, by Roger & Sharon Kallroos Bernard Loven, by Twig, Timber, & Leaf Jane Hanson, by Sarah Sorenson Robert Karg, by Diane Karg Steven Lynn Ludwig Sarah L. Hanson Richard Karpan, by Ben Theisen Charles Alton Lund, by Amy Lund Swalley David Hartley, by Jane & Tom Kingston Joy E. Kashmark, by Jerome Kashmark Robert Lundgren, by Jill Lundgren Robert Hartzel, by Mary Hartzel Sharon Kastelic, by James & Jan Call Ralph Mach, by Geraldine Mach Keith & Char Hauger, by Dave & Judy West Lloyd Keehr, by Marjean Keehr Margery Tingstad MacNeill, by Rob & Frank & Eva Hauner and Lane & Phyliss Carter, Raymond Kehtel, by William & Sandra Kilby Rose Welton by Richard & Debbie Hauner Lisa Kern, by Sandy Stooke Robert H. Madden, by John Madden Fran & Doris Haus, Frank Kes, by Steve Kes JoAnn Magnuson-Martinson, by Archie & by Douglas & Clayton Haus Robin Keyworth Mary Magnuson Authur C. Hedstrom, by MacMullan family Verlyn D. Kicker, by Dorothy M. Kicker Roy E. Magoon, by Chuck Magoon Don & Jean Hegdahl, by David W. Hegdahl Gloria Kiffe, by Les Kiffe John Mahoney, by Richard Dolezal & Mark Heesch LeRoy “Bob” Killeen, by Dan & Joan Killeen Ann Mahoney Ross Heilman, by Leigh & Marilyn Heilman Daniel Kinnear, by Mom Charlie Mahovlich Sr., by Charlie Craig V. Henderson, by Terry & Marie Kisch Mahovlich Jr. Barbara Dunn Betty J. Kjellberg, by Jacque & the Kjellbergs Doris Maki, by Carolyn Maki Gary L. Henke, by Robert C. Henke Dean Kjolhaug, by Marianne Kjolhaug Jeanette Makynen, by Liz & Al Makynen Carl Henriksen, by Prudence Henriksen Laurelee Klein, by Larry Klein Ray & Marge Malaski, by Brian & Nancy L. Hess, by John A. Hess Starley C. Klekotka, by Ty & Caden Karen Nord Joe Jr. & Hazelle Hessbury, by Joe & McDonald and Laike & Krew Middag John E. & Helen A. Maloney, by David & Deb Hessburg Asti, Spuds, Amber, & Brandi, by Rick & Kathleen Hermerding Ann Heuschele, by Ralph Heuschele Patti Klick Eleanor J. Mample, by Charlotte Gertrude Heveron Dakota County Deputy Sheriff Luther Klug, Svobodny Don & Rachel Hiers and Walter W. Quade, by Rev. Raymond Klug & Dakota County Bernard Manthei by Gary R. Buker Sheriff Jordon Klug Tom Maple, by Kate Maple Everett W. Hill, by Shirley Hill Andrew Kne Charles Martin, by Carol Martin Barbara Hobson, by Donna & Richard Maus Gerald C. Knutson, by Stephen Wolff Donald & Edith Martin, by Peggy Martin & Bob & Ieone Hodapp, by Bob Hodapp Norb Koch, by Lynnae Thompson Ellie Emanuel Arthur J. Hoff, by Imogene Hoff Martin Kor, by Joyce Yelensky John F. Maslowski, by Paul Maslowski Duane R. Hoffman, by Rose M. Hoffman Rev. Marlys Korman, by Bill Korman LeRoy Mather, by Gary & Gwen Solseth Judy Hogan, by Bernard Hogan John Koster, by family Dave, Ronny, & Grandpa, by Justin Matson Robert E. Holden, by Monica Holden Bud Krafft, by Orior Krafft Richard “Bud” Matthiesen, Everett & Irene Holt, by David Holt Roy J. Krahn, by Paul & Elizabeth Diethelm by Jesse R. Matthiesen Wally & Dorothy Honer, by Tom & Eleanora Kramer Charles Mazey, by Susan Mazey Schultz Shelly Carlson Mary Krantz, by Jeff Odendahl Tom & Alice McCabe, by Bill McCabe John & Greta Hopko, by Gary & Judi Hopko George Krouse, by Dan Krouse Milton & Maris McCauley Terry Horan, by Lynn, Barb, Erin, Brad, Frank Kruper, by William Kruper Terry McGaughey, by Gary & Judi Hopko & Mark Harvey Kuluvar, by William Bangsund Pippi Longstocking McGee Louis J. Hornicek Kusy & Willock families Maureen McGuire, by Charles D. Peterson Owen Hotzler Ruth Kvam, by Arnold Kvam Gerald Franklin McHugh, by McHugh Dorothy & Elmer Houck Ronald J. Kvitek, by Mara E. Natrakul nieces & nephews James Hovanetz Sr., by Patti Hovanetz Ternard E. Larsen, by Tad & Darcee Larsen George Hovland, by Lorraine Hovland Marvin LaBelle, by Caren LaBelle Marilyn Hromatko, by Wesley V. Hromatko Pete Langer, by Dean Langer Marvin Huberty, by Bonnie Brutger Tom Lanning, by Gail Ivers 69 Thank you in memory of ~ donate at mndnr.gov/mcvmagazine or call 888-646-6367.

Gerald McHugh, by Eilertson family Joyce K. Olson, by Gene Olson Kenneth Sable, by Patricia Sable Gerald McHugh, by Karen McDermott Kenneth Olson, by Bob & Arlouene Pickett Glen Sabyan Gerald McHugh, by Allen & Jody Perkins Pat & Bob Olson, by Mark & Priscilla Olson Stanley D. Sahlstrom Gerald McHugh, by Warners’ Stellian Inc. Tarnard W. & Doris Olson Leo St. Martin, by Penny Witt Gerald F. McHugh Daryl Omlid, by Arlene Omlid Donald Sandberg, by Betty Sandberg Jerry McHugh, by James & Shirley Charles Anne M. Orazem, by Paul Orazem Fred & Nora Sanford Jerry McHugh, by Susie Musech Fry, Peter, Karen Oslund, by Robert & Betty Oslund Elizabeth Sands, by Kate Patterson & & Sally Fry Carl & Dorothy Ostrander John Pitera John & Mary McKane Verna Osufsen, by Chadd & Janelle Bliss Max Sanford Sr., by Maureen Sanford Melinda McKinley, by Shawn Beattie Art & Bessie Otterson and Robert & Phyllis Antoinette Sargent, by Adele Hersey Tom McIntyre, by Jackie McIntyre Ege, by Jane Miller & Vern Ege Rodney J. Sartell, by Candyce L. Sartell George & Doris McKenna, James Otto, by Ken & Joyce Otto Donna Saulsbury, by Lonny Saulsbury by Cecelia McKenna-Barda Catherine Overland, by John Overland Glen Sabyan Martin J. McNamara Richard Palmquist Martha Schaefer, by William Schaefer Lorraine & Jess McPeck, by Emma, Logan, Elizabeth Paul, by Tony Paul family JoAnn B. Schellinger, by family & Carson Clayton & Lucy Pederson, Norbert & Mildred Scherer John L. Meilander, by Thomas Meilander by Dennis Pederson Melvin Schlafer, by Trapper N.Y. Tom Meier, by Beth Albertson Glenda Lee Pederson, by Sverre C. Pederson Loren J.A. Schmalz, by wife & children William J. Meingast, by William R. Meingast Mae & Paul Perkovich, Larry Schmid by Rita Schmid Art Mendel, by Al Mendel by Jon & Paula Abraham Mike Schmidthuber, by Elmer Schmidthuber Ruth E. Menten, by Geraldine Engvall Mark E. Peters, by Ferdinand F. Peters Louis & Dorothy Schneider, Chuck Meyer, by Mike Coyne Robert R. Peters by Dorothy Berg Herb Meyer, by Julie & Jim Meyer Ken & Peg Petersen, by Chris & Kay Lynn Schnur, by Doug Schnur Andrew Michalik, by Pat Kranz & Amy Petersen Lucile Scholer, by Elizabeth Anderson Marcia Michalik Clemmet A. Peterson, by Karen & Bob & Lila Scholtes, by Steve Scholtes F.K. Michealson, by Ruth Johnson Howard Wilson Karen J. Schrader, by Donn Schrader Peter Michelich, by John & Joanna Michelich Donald V. Peterson Duane Schreier Gordon S. Miller Ron Peterson, by family Harlyn R. Schreur, by Kim Schreur Leo Miller, by John & Wendie Miller C.J. Pfeifer, by Maggie & Dave Sauer Ralph H. Schroeder, by Jeff Schroeder Sadina Miller, by family Blair Piechowski, by Jack, Paul, & Macy Gaede Arnold “Dick” Schueller, by Carolyn & Stefanie Miller Bob & Mariann Pierson Chuck Righofer Harriet Minks Lakota Pierson Paul D. Schulz, by Carla Schulz A.J. “Jim” Milotzky, by Milotzky siblings Beryl Planer, by Rita Wilczek Henry Schumacher Bernie Mittelsteadt, by Donald Fondrick Gertrude Ploumen Dennis Schuneman, by family Carmen Moe, by Robert Moe Carol Poepke, by Peter Poepke Lillian Schweim, by Marlys & Leone Moe Bernadine Polglase, by James Polglase Norm Emerson Ben Moerke, by Kenneth Moerke Robert Pool, by Dorothy Pool Emily Schwingler, by Dan & Janelle Dinnetz Wayne & Jane Monson, by Wayne II & Robert Poorker & Kent & Caroly Janssen Robyn Monson Ted Potthoff, by parents Hazel Moritz Scott, by Davis Scott Mildred Moore, by Barb Moore Janet Prag Tyler Selleck, by Mom and Dad James T. Morgan, by Hebe Shipp Thomas Prescott, by Steven Prescott Jackie L. Senkyr, by Donald Senkyr Timothy Morgan, by Arlene Morgan Richard Price, by Byron Price Salley & Jerry Sevada, by Judy Sevada William “Bill” Morris, by Joan Morris Nelson Carl R. Quimby, by Ethel Quimby Doris Shaw William Mossberg, by his friend Bob & Helen Quint, by Steve Quint Captain Jack & Fay Sheldon, & Judy Sheldon Judith Mountain, by Gary Mountain Robert & Helen Quint, by Bradley & Robert L. Sheridan, by Liz Sheridan Rammer Stephan J. Muggli, by Paula Muggli Lisa Parker Merlene Sherman, by James Sherman Fred E. Myers, by Helen Myers J.J. Raden, by Noah M. Raden Jenny & Kay Shoaff, by Vic Shoaff Harold Nast Sr., by Jerry & Sandy Lutz Jason Raddohl, by Carolyn Lester Katherine Scholtz, by Peter & Jane Sholtz Fritz Nauman, by Wade Lewandowski & Roy E. Rademacher, by Michael Rademacher Beverly Shramm, by Mary K. Olson Gina Lewandowski Simpson Elwood Rafn, by David & Susan Brostrom Orris & Leona Shulstad, by Arne Shulstad Art & Ann Nelson, by Katrina Nelson Gerald H. Rambow, by Lyle C. Rambow Vern Sievert, by Dena Sievert Robin Nelson, by James Dahlman Randy Read, by Don Starkweather Russell Simenson Luther Nervig Bernie Reikena, by Doris Olson Eileen Meyer Simonette, by T. & S. Thomsen Doris Nessett, by Ron Nessett Irene Reiman, by family Gretchen Sinclair Bob & Jean Nethercut, by Janet Nethercut Phil & Gladyce Reimer Alfred Skalicky, by Elliot & Olivia Marjorie Neumann, by Mark & Bruce Reinke, by Marcella & James Reinke Leon Skelton, by Scott Skelton Marsha Peterson Thomas Rettinger, by Beryl Rettinger Leon “Butch” Smith, by Eric & Marjorie Ruth Neumann Ann L. Richter, by Bill Burggraff Mary Van Norman Marjorie Ruth Neumann, by Jane Neumann Pat Riemenschneider, Leroy B. Smith, by his family Doris Nordahl, by Robert McGregor by Jim Riemenschneider Jay Solberg, by Art Solberg Elmer & Abbie Nordstrom, by Ken & Lester & Dorothy Risberg, by Kathleen Todd Jim Soll, by Lee Mischke family Jenny Moorman William Ritchoff, by Mark & Wendy Tingle Joe & Helen Sopko, by Steve Sopko family James L. Norman, by Shirley Norman Nova Roberts, by Ray & Linda Kaluza Bob & Bonnie Sorensen, by Gerald & Kevin Nystrom, by Stephen & Katherine Wilks Len Rohlfsen, by James Nessa Betty Hults Brad & Clint Odell, by Clint & Carol Odell Richard Rohloff, by Dick Rohloff Ann Sorenson, by Mahoney family Daniel & Aurora Ojeda, by Daniel Ojeda Jr. Betty Rorem, by Harold Rorem Dale Sorenson, by Jim & Bev Sorenson Kermit & Betty Oksendahl, by Don & Ralph Rosemore Jr., by Lori Rosemore Walter Sostarich, by Sheryl Sostarich Tanis Beadle Orville J. Ross, by Ronald L. Ross Gary Sotak, by Aaron Sotak Thomas Olds & Tom Olds Jr., Lauren Rowe, by Richard Rowe Cindy Stafne, by Robert Stafne by Dorothy M. Olds Carol Rustad, by David & Patricia Rustad George & Edna Stamson, by Andy & Jim & Ken O’Loughlin, by Earl & Robert Rutledge, by L. Borgstrom family Erma Stamson Carole Estabrooks Cary Rystad, by Dustian, Lee, & Lois H. Starker Clifford R. & Gladys L. Olson, Kal Salentiny Benjamin Stavseth, by Scott & Cheryl Weappa by David C. Olson Glenn Saar, by Cindy & Roger Lee Jolly Steenson, by Rick & Vicki Stromberg Thank you in memory of ~ donate at mndnr.gov/mcvmagazine or call 888-646-6367. GARY ALAN NELSON

Emil & Viola Steffen, by James & Richard Tibbetts by Durk Durkee & Robert Wendlandt, Judy Steffen Lois Tibbetts-Durkee by Rhonda Wendtlandt & family Edwin Steinwall & Joseph Stoltz, by Evan, Matt Tix, by Joyce Tix Kathleen Whetstone, by Robert Whetstone Marybeth, & Gunnar Stoltz Patrick J. Tompkins Robert Widerski, by Helen Widerski Kate Stenso-Miller, by Dianne Stenso Brad Tonn Edward Wiik, by John & Susan Wiik Hank & Bertha Stettner, by Coreen & Don Blau Roland E. Towne, by Cynthia Towne Jenny Wilder, by Pickard family Marie Stevens, by Donna & Ray Stevens Wallace & Dorothy Tripp, by David & Dean & Phyllis Williams, by Stackland & Dave Stillman, by Tom & JoAnn Stillman Julie Tripp Williams families Carl V. Stohl, by Gary N. Stohl Troops lost in Korea 1950-1953, Janet Wimsett, by Mike & Evonne Swanson Diane Storile, by Rich & Brooke Clayton by Jim R. Miller Michael D. Winans, by David & David Strand, by Bill Meyer Chub Unze, by family Teresa Winans Allan Strom Robert J. Urness, by Shirlee J. Urness John B. Winslow, by Louis & Carole Winslow Elsie Stroschein, by David H. Peterson Connie Van Campen, by Robert Van Campen James D. Winter Sr., by Nora Beall William P. Sturm Douglas Vandegrift, by Jason & Megan Ogdahl Verner Wise, by Brian McDonald Sunsdahl & Hook families Ted Vander Eyk Evie Wood, by Lucille Randolph Jerome V. Super Bailey Rose Vanderwiel, by Grandpa Ben & Marian Woodcock, by Nancy Votava Joseph Surla, by Pat Surla Fonnie Van Klei, by Lonnie & Deb Van Klei Syl Wojciechowski, by Don Wojciechowski Gary & Charlotte Sutter, Dr. Henry Veldhuis, by Jeff & Alan C. Yochim, by Leonard R. Yochim by Kevin & Julie Sutter Angela DeVries Gary M. Zieman, by Sharon Zieman James D. Swan, by Richard T. Swan Arnold Veldkamp, by Lonnie & Deb Van Klei Theodore “Bob” & Fay Zieman Steve Swanson, by Janet Swanson Lois Vergin, by Scott Vergin Jerry Ziemet Walter L. Swanson, by Donald Swanson Mike Vierzba, by Donette Vierzba & family Gary J. Zimmerman, Kenneth Swartz, by Dorothee Angel Hermann Von Knobelsdorff, by Larry Voth by Roberta L. Zimmerman Bradley C. Sweet, by Nancy L. Sweet Hermann Von Knobelsdorff, Nancy K. Zimmerman, by Scott Zimmerman John & Lillie Syverson, by Mary K. Syverson by Sue Von Knobelsdorff Patricia Zoller and Dick Dinneen, by Frank Talarico, by Talarico family Donald D. Wadman, by Dennis A. Wadman Jon Zoller Vernon C. Tarmann Floyd Wallace Ed & Kathy Zugschwert, by Sam, Max, & Ron Tauer Kerry Wallace, by Ken & Betty Wallace Olivia Laughlin Robert L. Tavernier, by William Tavernier John C. Walter, by Judith Walter Casper Zumbusch Edwin Way Teale, by K.S. Sproll Art Ward, by Bruce & Emmy Humrickhouse Richard Zwirn, by Anna Zwirn SP4 Michael Terzich, by Mom and Dad Tom Waters, by Kim Johnson Richard Zwirn, by Chris & Diane Blake Edward & Iola Thaemert, by Ron & Carol Fox Harold H. Weaver, by Judy & Herb Kirby John A. Theis George Wedll, by Laurel & Dawn Godel If we have made an error, please call Rom & Rachel Thibault, by Rachel & Tracy Weeks, by Bruce Weeks David Lent at 651-259-5347. Jack Thibault Sigrun Weerheim Ben Thoma Francis Norden Welle, by Pat & Lori Welle To view or download the MCV annual report, Charles P. Thompson, Tim Wells go to files.dnr.state.mn.us/publications/ by Mary Jane Thompson Vernon & Ruth Welschinger volunteer/annual_report.pdf.

What Is Your Legacy?

The Central Lakes State Trail and the Great Northern Railway depot (above) are a legacy of the transcontinental route of the Western Star. Consider leaving a conservation legacy to Minnesota Conservation Volunteer. A gift of retirement account assets or a bequest in your will or trust can help ensure that MCV continues to inform, educate, and inspire future generations to care for our state’s abundant natural resources. Learn more at mndnr.gov/mcvmagazine/legacy-gifts or 651-259-5347.

71 Minnesota profile

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)

Appearance. The common merganser has nest in human-made nest boxes and in crev- a narrow, pointed bill with serrated edges, ices on cliff faces over streams. Broods typi- hence the colloquial name “sawbill.” Males of cally consist of nine to 12 ducklings. Like all this species top 3½ pounds and 25 inches in ducklings, common merganser young are length, making the common merganser the precocial—born fully feathered and able to largest duck nesting in Minnesota. Both sexes feed themselves. The hen leads her hatch- are streamlined with long, tapered wings and lings to water soon after their feathers dry. bright red legs. The drake’s bill is red; the hen’s They can dive within a day or two of leaving tends toward orange. The drake sports an the nest. On the North Shore of Lake Supe- iridescent dark green head and neck, which rior, ducklings fearlessly bob down whitewater gives way to a clean white chest, belly, and in streams. Common mergansers are one of flanks. His back and upper-wing covert feathers several waterfowl species that form crèches— are black with white scapulars. The hen has a an amalgam of broods that may contain 20 or white chin and a rusty reddish-brown head more ducklings watched over by a single hen. with a shaggy crest. Her belly is white. Her The young can fly at about 60 days of age. neck, back, and flanks are silver gray. Feeding. These ducks require clean, clear Range. Circumpolar in distribution, this streams and lakes where they can see and diving bird is found in forested northern lake capture their prey—small fish and minnows, and river country. In North America, common as well as crustaceans and large aquatic mergansers breed in a broad swath from insects. Although they rarely dive to a depth south-central Alaska to Newfoundland. Their greater than a few feet, mergansers feed in a range dips south to just below Lake Superior. manner similar to the deeper-diving common In Minnesota they breed in north-central and loon, swimming underwater, propelled by northeastern forests. Common mergansers fly their large feet. Being at the top of the aquat- south only as far as open water in winter and ic food chain, mergansers are susceptible return early in spring. During some winters, to adverse habitat changes such as pollution many of these cold-hardy birds stay and that could reduce prey or impair their abil- congregate in large flocks on open water of ity to produce viable eggs. Thus their pres- the Mississippi River. ence on a lake or river can be an indicator of Nesting. Common mergansers need big, watershed health. old trees because they nest in cavities, much Population Status. Although little data in the manner of wood ducks, making use exists, the species’ population appears to be of sites created by large woodpeckers such stable throughout most of its range.

as the pileated. They have been known to Michael Furtman, freelance writer MICHAEL FURTMAN

72 Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Merganser chicks swim with ease but will occasionally rest on a female’s back. Young mergansers are typically abandoned 30 to 50 days after hatching, several weeks before they can fly. Courting Couples. On a shallow lake in western Minnesota, western grebes DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MARCH–APRIL 2016 engage in elaborate spring mating rituals. Unlike any other nesting bird spe- cies in the state, these water birds have an east-west migratory route between the Pacific coast and Minnesota. See story on page 36. Photograph by Tammy Wolfe. The rolling cries of sandhill cranes have become part of Minnesota’s spring soundscape. Not long ago, the call of a crane was a rarity. See story on page 8. Cover photograph by Michael Furtman.

Moving? Start subscribing? Give today? Go to mndnr.gov/ mcvmagazine or call 888-646-6367.