Feb 21, 2007 - 03:58:20 CST
The local outdoor community is losing two friends.Lynda and Gregg Knutsen, both working at Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, near Moffit, are moving to northern Minnesota, where Gregg Knutsen will become the wildlife biologist at Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, northeast of Thief River Falls, Minn. Wildlife biologist is his primary duty at Long Lake, where he also is the state's whooping crane coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Lynda Knutsen is the outdoor recreational planner at Long Lake and does double duty as the outdoor recreational planner for the Arrowwood refuge complex. In Minnesota, she will be a full-time mom for their two children, ages 3 and 1.
"It's a blow to North Dakota," said Paul Van Ningen, Long Lake refuge manager. "They've been really good at the work that they do."
Consider that both are active in the North Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society. And both are active in the Central Dakota Strutters Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
The latter association has involved the couple with JAKES Day at Long Lake, and Lynda Knutsen coordinates a JAKES Day in Valley City. The program, which stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge Ethics and Sportsmanship, exposes youngsters to a variety of outdoor experiences.
Lynda Knutsen also coordinates the Lines for Little Ones fishing day at Long Lake and plays a role in the Potholes and Prairie Birding Festival.
"A lot of what Gregg does isn't highlighted," said Van Ningen.
The Central Dakota Strutters will honor the couple during its March 3 hunting heritage banquet at the Bismarck AMVETS.
"As an outdoor recreation planner, Lynda had kids and education in her heart. Gregg as well," said Roger Collins, of the Central Dakota Strutters. "We certainly will miss their expertise and enthusiasm. Hopefully we will find someone to take over (JAKESDay) who will be just as enthusiastic. That's our hunting heritage, our future out there."
Gregg Knutsen's first day at Agassiz is April 30.
He has worked at Long Lake about 6½ years and worked in North Dakota for about 12 years, including time at the Valley City Wetlands Management District and the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center in Jamestown. Lynda Knutsen has worked or done volunteer work in North Dakota about 11 years.
Gregg Knutsen is looking forward to different hunting and fishing opportunities as well as the challenges of a new job.
"Bear hunting will be something different. I grew up hunting ruffed grouse in Wisconsin but have had no opportunities in a number of years. Apparently there's good ruffed grouse hunting in the area," he said.
"It's a new challenge for us," said Lynda Knutsen. "It's a good career move for Gregg. It's something new and different."
She plans to do volunteer work at Agassiz, "doing what I can to help out." If an outdoor recreational planner position opens, she said she would apply.
She also is looking forward to the different wildlife, such as black bears, moose and wolves, they will see in northern Minnesota.
"I will be getting the boys outside and going for walks and hikes and exploring nature. It's not that we don't do that here, but it's different scenery there," she said.
When the Knutsens head east, Long Lake will be down three positions. A deputy refuge manager position already is open.
Van Ningen expects the USFWS will OK filling their positions.
As for JAKES Day and Lines for Little Ones, "we will try to keep those programs going, what with budget constraints and depending on how the positions are filled," he said.
Resource work is his biggest concern, he added.
"I will be covering those bases and try to maintain a public use program," he said.
The people, the wildlife professionals, their friends, the refuge system and the diversity of the wetlands will be among the people and things the Knutsens said they will miss.
"We'll be a couple of nonresidents when we come back," he joked.
Comments are reviewed for taste, tone and language before posting.
Some comments may be used in the Tribune's print edition.