Bob Hanson – Maple syrup volunteer
DNR volunteers really know how to tap into greatness.
Bob Hanson founded Maplewood State Park’s maple syrup program in 2009 during his time as Park Manager. Since his retirement, he has been volunteering for over a decade as the ground leader of the program, which has become quite popular with park visitors over the years since its inception.
I was inspired by a local commercial syrup producer to do something in Maplewood State Park because it would fit the park name,” he explains. “We had no educational programs in the park, so we thought we’d give it a try.” With a passion for providing new experiences to park visitors and some loaned equipment, the program began – and Bob has enjoyed meeting new people and passing on his maple syruping knowledge ever since.
Bob’s advice for anyone interested in volunteering but not sure where to start:
If you have a talent or interest that could contribute to projects at state parks, consider joining a local group! Whether you have just a couple hours or a few days every week, any amount of volunteering benefits our parks.
-- Bob Hanson
NW Metro Back Country Horsemen of Minnesota – Trail maintenance
Meet the protectors of the Sand Dunes State Forest trails.
The Back Country Horsemen is a national non-profit organization that helps maintain and preserve horse trails and horse campgrounds throughout the nation. Since forming their local chapter just over a year ago, Deb Podvin and the amazing volunteers from the NW Metro Back Country Horsemen of MN have made a remarkable impact on the forest’s upkeep and improvement – from tackling littering and hazardous debris issues to clearing overgrown brush, poison ivy and sand burrs.
Deb and her team have formed meaningful connections with DNR officers, local groups like the Sherburne County Snowmobile Trail Association, and fellow volunteers all with a common goal of protecting and ensuring the livelihood of our Minnesota trails. Their efforts show that even small actions – like picking up trash or clearing some brush along the trail – can have a huge impact.
When asked what keeps them motivated to continue volunteering, Deb says:
Everything we have done this past year has been very noticeable to anyone in the area. Many of our members live locally and visit the Sand Dunes State Forest often. We care enough to make a difference!
-- Deb Podvin
Ed Klausner and Northern Iowa University students - Mystery Cave volunteers
What’s the biggest secret of Mystery Cave? New discoveries are being made every day, thanks to help from our DNR volunteers!
Without long-time volunteer Ed Klausner's help, for example, Mystery Cave would only have a very primitive stick-line map. His cartography skills are providing ongoing contributions to a new map that shows features such as pools and speleothems and other cave resources – which helps us understand the geo-morphology of the cave and hydrology.
Volunteer Dr. Joshua Sebree and his team of students from Northern Iowa University are a key part of the new generation of surveyors who are not only excelling, but also returning regularly to survey Mystery Cave with the hope of reaching the end of the known map and pushing it beyond to new and unexplored areas.
This past year, they surveyed and mapped muddy, cold cave passage. They squeezed into some of the tightest passages to help understand the cave’s location in relation to the surface to better understand surface impacts. They also inventoried extremophile life to help us better understand what kind of life is found in caves.
When asked how it feels to see the impact of their volunteer work: Ed said,
It's great to see the map progress and the satisfaction others get from seeing their efforts. Getting people to learn how to survey and retaining them has always been an issue. Fortunately, a new crop of surveyors is doing a great job, and they are returning time and again to survey in Mystery Cave.
-- Ed Klausner
Dr. Sebree said,
Watching the blank areas of the map fill in is both exciting to watch and shows just how much there still is to do. It makes me excited to see how much more we can help push the project forward in the future.
-- Dr. Joshua Sebree
Bonnie Comer and Brad Johnson, Lisa and Tom Hoyne - Smokey Bear volunteers
Bonnie Comer has been volunteering as the “voice” of Smokey Bear for over two decades at the Minnesota State Fair – working alongside partner Brad Johnson, who proudly wears the Smokey costume. What began as simply a fun opportunity for Bonnie turned into a lasting commitment, thanks to her great rapport with Brad and the joy that they have both found through volunteering.
When asked why they chose to become a DNR volunteer:
Bonnie said,
Giving back means doing your part. Thinking of others. Making a difference. I’ve volunteered with the DNR on different projects and thought doing Smokey’s voice would be fun. Who wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to be Smokey’s sidekick?
-- Bonnie Comer
Brad said,
We’re helping to encourage community and environmental wellbeing. I find it personally satisfying to promote Smokey's message and the interactions with people, especially the kids,” Brad adds. “I will most likely continue [portraying Smokey] as long as I am physically able, or when Bonnie says I can retire …
-- Brad Johnson
Tom and Lisa Hoyne are another dynamic duo who have portrayed Smokey Bear and his voice, respectively, every year at the fair for over a decade. Their favorite part of the gig? Hearing the wide array of stories from people attending the fair who get their photo taken with Smokey Bear. They love to see the genuine excitement when both young and older individuals see Smokey – many wait by the access door to see him come out!
How does Minnesota rank for volunteering?
- In 2021, Minnesota ranked #3, with more than 1.5 million residents volunteering through an organization contributing $3.5 billion in economic value.
Source: Corporation for National and Community Service
Want to Volunteer with Us?
Current volunteer opportunities now open for this season