Longtime Duluth-area conservation officer named 2024 Conservation Officer of the Year

Congratulations to CO Andy Schmidt – the 2024 DNR Conservation Officer of the Year! Schmidt, who works in the Duluth area, has been a conservation officer since 2008 and in law enforcement since 2001.

“Andy has been a dedicated public servant his entire career, and really models what it means to excel as a conservation officer,” said Col. Rodmen Smith, director of the DNR Enforcement Division. “He strikes the delicate balance of enforcing laws that protect natural resources and getting people to understand how their actions affect the resources.”

Other Enforcement Division honorees include:

Willard Munger Water Resource Protection Officer of the Year: CO Cassie Block of Willmar.

Boat and Water Safety Officer of the Year: CO Tyler Ramaker of La Crescent.

Waterfowl Enforcement Officer of the Year: CO Shane Vernier of Willmar.

Then, a familiar face to I Falls would be recognized as the Enforcement Education Officer of the Year: our very own CO Darrin Kittelson of International Falls.

Darrin Kittelson has been a conservation officer since 2005, is synonymous with safety in his community. He is a lead ATV, firearms, and snowmobile safety instructor, and works tirelessly to ensure all youth in the area have access to the instruction they need to enjoy a lifetime of safe outdoor recreation. He’s also heavily involved in providing training to new and current conservation officers.

“Since his first day on the job, Darrin has prioritized all aspects of safety education,” Smith said. “Teaching people how to stay safe in the field is a vital part of being a conservation officer, and Darrin does it extremely well.”