A Department of Natural Resources insider with a background in science and conservation has been named to head Minnesota's state parks and trails.
Ann Pierce was deputy director for the past four years in DNR's Division of Ecological and Water Resources. Earlier in her 25-year career at the agency, she was stationed in Rochester as a regional plant ecologist and lands coordinator who protected the Driftless Area's bluff lands. With a Ph.D. in conservation biology, a master's degree in natural resources and a bachelor of science degree in cell biology and genetics, Pierce said it's her hope to communicate scientific aspects of our state's natural resources to users of parks and trails.
Pierce, who took over last week, fills a vacancy created Nov. 29 when Erika Rivers left the DNR to become executive director of Wilderness Inquiry, a nonprofit. Pierce, who grew up in Brooklyn Center and Houlton, Wis., will report to Shannon Lotthammer, one of three assistant DNR commissioners. As director, Pierce oversees at least 280 staff, more than 220 seasonal employees and a $126 million annual budget, not counting projects funded by state bonding.
Pierce said she's eager to join and expand Parks and Trails' efforts to get more people from all backgrounds involved in the outdoors. She said the recreational lands managed by her division are a gateway for residents and visitors to see what Minnesota offers in terms of natural resources.
"It's an exciting division,'' Pierce said.
One of the hot issues before Pierce is the explosive growth in the construction and use of motorized trails by riders of ATVs, side-by-sides and off-road trucks. The expansion has drawn complaints from hunters, hikers, ecologists, bird-watchers, camping families and others who oppose the associated noise, traffic and erosion.
"We have to start working through it and understand there is a growing demand,'' Pierce said. She also said expansion must be handled the "right way … taking all pieces into account.''
Pierce said she doesn't foresee making changes to the division's leadership team, which she described as "top-notch.''
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