DNR names 2009 ATV education and safety instructor of the year

[Randy Kaar]

DNR names 2009 ATV education and safety instructor of the year

(Released June 7, 2010)

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has named Rita Butterfield of Barnum as its DNR volunteer ATV Instructor of the Year for 2009.

“Rita is one of the most active ATV safety instructors in northeastern Minnesota,” said Regional Training Officer Shelly Patton.

Originally certified in 2006, Butterfield leads the planning of her area’s ATV youth safety training classes. That involves organizing more than six classes annually that cover a significant part of Minnesota touching more than half a dozen communities in three different counties; Aitkin, Pine and Carlton.

“Rita is professional, effective and highly organized - a true asset to the local communities and the DNR,” said Conservation Officer Brent Speldrich (McGregor) Rita’s local CO, and lead for the nomination process. Butterfield also received high recommendation from five other conservation officers.

Butterfield’s contributions to DNR safety education include:

    * Constantly works with local COs and sheriff’s departments to organize and promote
      ATV safety training.
    * Working the ATV club booth at the Carlton County Fair each year, handing out ATV education materials and safety class information.
    * Helping Community Ed set-up numerous youth ATV safety classes, which run April through October. She has had a hand in training hundreds of youth.
    * Writing ATV safety news articles for six local papers, informing the public of why they should take ATV safety, not just simply listing safety class information.
    * Serving as secretary and treasurer of two ATV clubs where makes sure ATV safety training is on the agenda for every meeting.
    * Ensuring that area communities have DNR ATV Safety CDs available to them and often personally delivers these materials.
    * Recently became a certified snowmobile education safety instructor and immediately began applying her excellent teaching skills.

“Rita Butterfield is a shining example of the numerous dedicated volunteers our youth education courses depend on,” said Capt. Mike Hammer, DNR Education Program coordinator. “Without these local volunteers, these programs would not exist.”

View image of Butterfield receiving award.

Caption: L-R: CO Brent Speldrich, Rita Butterfield, CO Jeff Humphrey, CO Shelly Patton, CO Scott Staples, CO Dustie Heaton. Credit: Tarey Johnson - Editor, Star Gazette/Evergreen Shopper, Moose Lake.