Contact an expert

Aquatic invasive species specialists

Contact the individual in your region if you have questions on invasive species identification and management, purple loosestrife management and biocontrol, or prevention activities.

Report new infestations

If you suspect a new infestation of an aquatic invasive plant or animal, note the exact location, take a photo or keep the specimen, and call the AIS specialist in your region.

You can also contact an AIS specialist if you need information about one of the following permits:

DNR Regions

Click to enlarge map.

Invasive Species Specialist contact information: dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/contacts.html

Northwest Region

Park Rapids

Nicole Kovar

218-537-6100

Fergus Falls

Mark Ranweiler

218-616-2117

Northeast Region

Grand Rapids

Richard Rezanka

218-328-8821

Brainerd

Vacant

218-328-8821

Central Region

St. Paul

April Londo

651-259-5861

St. Paul

Vacant

651-259-5729

St. Cloud

Emelia Hauck Jacobs

320-223-7855

St. Cloud

Christine Jurek

320-223-7847

Southern Region

Hutchinson

Eric Katzenmeyer

320-753-0334

Mankato

Jeffrey Flory

507-910-9801


Watercraft inspection program

Primary contacts for questions about the watercraft inspection program, boat decontamination questions, and outreach for awareness events at water accesses.

Northwest Region

Fergus Falls

Michael Bolinski
Inspection Supervisor

218-671-7948

Fergus Falls

Anna Ness
Program Assistant

218-671-7942

Northeast Region

Brainerd

Jessamyn Foley
Inspection Supervisor

218-232-8955

Brainerd

Chad Burback
Program Assistant

218-578-0290

Central Region

St. Cloud

Christine Hokkala-Kuhns
Inspection Supervisor

320-223-7845

St. Paul

Traci Eicholz
Program Assistant

651-392-3117

 

 

 

Southwest Region

Hutchinson

Travis Kinsell
Inspection Supervisor

320-753-0336

Shakopee

Darrin Rain
Program Assistant

651-238-4955
 

Local Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention

Primary contacts about AIS Prevention Aid and the DNR's role in local AIS prevention.

Brainerd

Doug Jensen
AIS Prevention Planner

218-203-4355


Additional contacts:

Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention
Questions on aquatic invasive species permits, aquatic invasive species laws and regulations, education and public awareness, and risk assessment.

Adam Doll

AIS Prevention Consultant

651-259-5056

Terrestrial Invasive Species
Technical assistance and biological control programs for land-based species.

Laura Van Riper

Terrestrial Invasive Species Coordinator

651-259-5090

Aquatic Invasive Species Management
Questions on technical and financial assistance for aquatic invasive plant management and permits for Invasive Aquatic Plant Management. 

Wendy Crowell
AIS Management Consultant

651-728-0051

Training 
Questions on aquatic invasive species training programs for lake service providers.

April Rust
AIS Training
Coordinator

651-259-5706

Training

Questions on aquatic invasive species training programs for watercraft inspectors.

Jeannine Howland
AIS Training Specialist

651-238-4955

Training

Questions about aquatic invasive species training opportunities.

Tyler Lindholm
Invasive Species Trainer, northern Minnesota (seasonal)

Cal Stenso-Velo
Acting Invasive Species Trainer, southern Minnesota (seasonal)

218-578-0912
 

 

651-802-5405

Watercraft Inspection Program
Questions on statewide Watercraft Inspection Program and coordination with local partners.

Tina Fitzgerald
Watercraft Inspection Program Supervisor

651-259-5146

Aquatic Invasive Species Communications
Media inquiries on aquatic invasive species, stakeholder relations, product development, and special events.

Greg Husak
AIS Communications

651-259-5132

Supervisor of Invasive Species Program
Questions on overall invasive species program, policy and direction, legislative issues.

Kelly Pennington
Invasive Species Program Supervisor

651-245-0859

Aquatic animal biology
Questions on biology of zebra mussels, spiny waterflea, rusty crayfish, invasive snails, and other invasive aquatic invertebrates.

Don Eaton
Aquatic invertebrate Biologist

651-259-5121

Enforcement
Questions on enforcement of invasive species laws.

Water Resource Enforcement Officers

 

Invasive Carp and Invasive Fish
Questions on invasive carp management and invasive fish.

Grace Loppnow
Invasive Fish Consultant

651-259-5670

Invasive Carp
Invasive carp eDNA.

Loren Miller
Fisheries Research Scientist

612-624-3019

Aquatic Invasive Species Grants
Questions on financial assistance programs for aquatic invasive species prevention and control.

Angelique Dahlberg
Grants and Research Coordinator

651-259-5164

Trade Pathways for Aquatic Invasive Species
Questions on pathways of spread of aquatic invasive species and how to prevent trade-pathway introduction of new species into the state.

Rafael Contreras-Rangel, AIS in Commerce Prevention Planner

651-259-5350

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