Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council’s Carol Mortensen
Invasive Species Management Award Presentation
AWARDS LUNCHEON
October 27, 2008
2008 Minnesota Invasive Species Conference, Duluth, MN
Today, we remember Carol Mortensen, a pioneer on invasive species in Minnesota,
a fellow council member, a colleague, a friend, and wife, by presenting an award
in her memory. This award recognizes the contributions of an individual or group
devoted to managing invasive species in Minnesota. Carol worked tirelessly to
promote public awareness about invasive species. She wrote invasive species
field guides, books and magazine articles, gave talks, and worked actively with
many organizations. While on the Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council,
she provided leadership representing the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Carol was
passionate about proactively addressing invasive species issues. Her
contributions and achievements helped to protect Minnesota’s environment and
economy. The award recipients will receive a framed, inscribed photograph
donated by Peter Dzuik. We offer our sincere thanks to Peter and invite you to
visit his online gallery, Wildflowers for Ordinary People, at:
www.minnesotafieldsandforests.net. The council will continue to
recognize Carol through this annual award. For future nominations, visit:
www.mda.state.mn.us/misac/.
Carol Ann Estes Mortensen
May 24, 1954 – September 11, 2004
Carol represented the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe on MISAC until her passing after
a long and courageous battle with cancer. Council members appreciate her
valuable contributions, dedication, leadership, energy and positive spirit.
The 2008 Carol Mortensen Award winners are:
Bonnie Harper-Lore, a restoration ecologist with the Federal Highway
Administration received the MISAC Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Lifetime
Achievement Award. Among her many achievements, Bonnie has long been involved
with invasive species work in Minnesota and in the U.S., has organized the
widely acclaimed international Weeds Across the Borders conferences, was a
founding member of the Federal
Interagency Committee for Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds, and was one of
the founding members of the Minnesota Purple Loosestrife Coalition in the early
1980s.
David
Ragsdale, an entomologist with the University of Minnesota, received the
MISAC Carol Mortensen Invasive Species Management Award. Among his many
achievements, David made significant contributions to the biological control of
purple loosestrife, leafy spurge, and Eurasian watermilfoil. He has mentored
numerous students and post docs, has conducted pioneering research on soybean
aphids from which he developed the widely used economic thresholds for this
damaging pest, and was key in establishing a graduate minor in invasive species
at the University of Minnesota.
According to Jay Rendall, co-chair of the advisory council, "Invasive species
are an increasing problem and cooperative efforts and new management tools are
needed to address them. The award winners this year are truly pioneers in the
response to the invasive species problem and they deserve recognition."
Dave Ragsdale and Bonnie Harper-Lore with their awards.
