Ham Lake man is DNR snowmobile safety instructor of year

Marvin Buchholz, of Ham Lake, has been named the Minnesota DNR Snowmobile Volunteer Instructor of the Year for 2017, the DNR said in a news release Monday, Feb. 26.

During his almost 50 years as a volunteer instructor, Buchholz has instructed more than 2,500 youth and adults about how to operate snowmobiles safely and responsibly. In addition, he’s helped recruit and train more than 20 other certified instructors.

Buchholz long has been active in his community, too, serving for 47 years as volunteer firefighter for the city of Ham Lake. In addition to being one of the department’s founders, he also was its longtime training officer. He’s also been a member of the Ham Lake Lions Club for more than 40 years.

More than 1,000 volunteer instructors teach DNR snowmobile safety courses across the state. For more information on the dates and locations of these courses, see an online list on the DNR’s snowmobile safety page or call 800-366-6367. For a copy of the 2017-2018 Minnesota Snowmobile Safety Laws, Rules and Regulations handbook, call 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367, or visit the snowmobile regulations page on the DNR website.