Mike Hirst of the Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District Receives the Kallemeyn Award for Scientific and Resource Management Achievement
(International Falls, MN) March 8, 2023
2023 Kallemeyn Award goes to Mike Hirst (left), pictured with Todd Sellers LOWWSFMike Hirst, Resource Conservationist with the Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District is the 2023 recipient of the Kallemeyn Award, recognizing his outstanding professional achievements and contributions to collaborative research and resource management in the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Basin.
The Kallemeyn Award was presented to Mike by the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation on behalf of the community of scientists and resource managers from the United States and Canada attending the 2023 International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum in International Falls, MN.
Mike Hirst of the Lake of the Woods SWCD (centre) received the Kallemeyn Award for scientific and resource management achievement accompanied by former award recipients (from left) Tom Mosindy, Ontario MNRF (retired), and Mark Edlund, St. Croix Watershed Research Station, and (from right) Ryan Maki, Voyageurs National Park, Andrew Paterson Ontario MOECP, and Jesse Anderson, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Jesse presented the award on behalf of the FoundationMike works tirelessly behind the scenes in just about every aspect of planning for the future of the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Basin. Mike is described by his colleagues as a humble, thoughtful guy with a calm voice of reason that guides and keeps our collective path moving forward collaboratively. Mike’s contributions to our watershed are many, including:
- Serving as a member of the IJC watershed board and co-chair of its aquatic ecosystem health committee
- Coordinating invasive species efforts with the international collective of agencies known as the IMA
- Editorial contributions to the Rainy-Lake of the Woods State of the Basin Reports
- Participating in Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods phosphorus studies and plan to cut phosphorus.
Mike has contributed to nearly every major initiative in our watershed, including research and resource management reports, the 2014 and 2022 Rainy-Lake of the Woods State of the Basin Reports, International Joint Commission reports, and Minnesota's Lake of the Woods Total Maximum Daily Load study.
The Kallemeyn Award, named after Larry Kallemeyn, U.S. Geological Survey (retired) is presented annually by the Foundation to an individual who has demonstrated in the Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed:
- Outstanding professional achievement in scientific research or resource management.
- Significant contributions to collaborative and cooperative approaches to research or resource management internationally.
The selection committee consists of researchers and resource managers from both the United States and Canada. It was their unanimous recommendation to the Foundation that Mike Hirst's contributions epitomize the values represented by the award.
With the Kallemeyn Award, the Foundation and the international research community at the Forum thank Mike for his years of dedication, outstanding research, and efforts to foster collaborative and cooperative approaches that truly carry forward the Kallemeyn "legacy" and which have contributed immensely to advancing science and management in the basin. Thank you from us all, Tim!
For more information on the Kallemeyn Award: www.lowwsf.com/kallemeyn-award or contact:
Todd Sellers,
Executive Director,
Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation
866-370-8891
204-981-4283 (cell)