Congratulations to the National Weather Service Cooperative Weather Observers from Forest Lake, Owatonna, and St. James, who were recently recognized for their dedicated service!  We really appreciate the passion these volunteer weather observers show each and every day as they take the official climate observation for their community, and are grateful to have the opportunity to show our appreciation with the following awards: 

U.S. Department of Commerce Thomas Jefferson Award Presented to Richard and Marlys Hjort
Coop Weather Observers from Chisago City, Minnesota
 

Photo by Pete Boulay, Minnesota State Climatology Office. L to R: Michelle Margraf, Observing Program Leader - National Weather Service Twin Cities; Richard Hjort: Marlys Hjort; Dan Luna, Meteorologist in Charge - National Weather Service Twin Cities; Greg Spoden, Minnesota State Climatologist - MN Department of National Resources.

National Weather Service Cooperative Weather Observers, Richard and Marlys Hjort, were honored with the U.S. Department of Commerce Thomas Jefferson Award at a ceremony at their home in Chisago City, Minnesota.  Only five Cooperative Weather Observers from across the country are selected for this prestigious award each year, out of a network of 12,000 observers.  

The award is for "unusual and outstanding accomplishment in the field of meteorological observations in the tradition of Thomas Jefferson, pioneer weather observer and third President of the United States." The award is signed by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Director of the National Weather Service.  

Richard and Marlys Hjort are only the third Minnesotans in history to be chosen for this award. Governor Mark Dayton, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, and State Climatologist Greg Spoden congratulated the Hjorts with letters of appreciation for their volunteer service to the state.     

The National Weather Service office in the Twin Cities nominated Richard and Marlys for the Thomas Jefferson Award because of their exceptional dedication to taking daily weather measurements for the National Weather Service during the past 30 years, as well as for the state of Minnesota for the past 45 years.  

They are also recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty to participate in several additional projects that monitor the environment and native species in Minnesota.  These projects include an acid rain study with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the National Audubon Society, monitoring flora and fauna for the USA National Phenology Network, and participating in a project to test a variety of plants to support the monarch butterfly population.  

Richard and Marlys are also award winning members of the North American Bluebird Society, Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis, and Minnesota Bluebird Recovery Program.  They have authored articles for the Minnesota conservation journal The Loon and Minnesota Conservation Volunteer. They also write a weekly "field notes" column for the Chisago County Press newspaper.  In addition, the Minnesota Department of National Resources recognized the Hjorts on a state poster for their innovative design for purple martin houses.  

Richard and Marlys Hjort truly share Thomas Jefferson's passion for public service and love of the natural world.  We are honored to have Richard and Marlys as a part of the National Weather Service family, and we are grateful to have this opportunity to thank them for their exceptional service to our state and nation.  

75 Year Service Award to City of St. James, Minnesota for partnership with National Weather Service
 

Photo by St. James Wastewater Treatment Plant Staff. L to R: Joe McCabe - City Manager; Michelle Margraf - Observing Program Leader, National Weather Service Twin Cities; Mark Anderson - Wastewater Department Supervisor.  

Congratulations to Dean Nelson, Superintendent of Owatonna Wastewater Plant
for 45 Years of Service 

Photo by Michelle Margraf.  Dean Nelson holding 45 Year Length of Service Award at Owatonna Cooperative Weather Station at Wastewater Treatment Plant. 

Congratulations to Dean Nelson, Superintendent of the Owatonna, Minnesota Wastewater Treatment Plant, for 45 years of service as a National Weather Service Cooperative Weather Observer.  Dean has supervised more than 16,425 daily weather observations for the city of Owatonna over the years.  Because of his support and dedication to the Coop program, we have a valuable record of daily weather conditions for Owatonna for nearly half a century.  

Thank you to Dean, and the staff at the Wastewater treatment plant for the weather observations you share with us each day.  Your reports truly make a difference!