October 2018
Fulfillment in the forest
DNR forestry technicians from Park Rapids use a Bombardier J5 tracked vehicle to fight a grass fire on April 29 west of Two Inlets. One of Johnson's roles with the DNR was operating this vehicle. (Enterprise file photo)
Veteran DNR tech has enjoyed variety By Robin Fish rfish@parkrapidsenterprise.com “It’s all been good. I really enjoyed it. I’ve been blessed,” Greg Johnson said about his nearly 40 years working for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). A full-time forestry tech since 1988, Johnson was based at the Park Rapids DNR Forestry office in from 1989 until his retirement, effective Oct. 2. Previously, he said, “I did six months in Alexandria, where it was more private land management, working with landowners. I didn’t really like it because I wanted to get up in the big woods.” Then a position opened in Park Rapids, and the rest is history. “As a technician, we kind of do everything that needs to be done,” he said. For example, during the spring fire season, which starts as soon as the snow melts, “I’m a helicopter manager,” said Johnson. “I’m an engine boss, so I can take a truck. I run dozer, if we need one, and then we have the Bombardier J5. It’s a track machine. I run that, too.”
Motive and opportunity
In Johnson’s case, a life spent working with nature came naturally.
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Greg Johnson at the Minnesota DNR Forestry office in Park Rapids, where he worked from 1989 until his retirement on Oct. 2. (Robin Fish/Enterprise)
“Ever since like third grade, I knew I wanted to be in natural resources,” he said. “When I graduated from high school, my counselor told me, ‘Don’t get into natural resources. There’s no jobs.’ But that was
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