Joe Magner is a research professor in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering at the University of Minnesota. From 1981 to 2013, Joe served the people of Minnesota at the Pollution Control Agency. As a hydrologist and research scientist, Joe led dozens of projects that developed and provided tools, guidance, modeling approaches and research findings, which have been instrumental in establishing multiple programs.
His work at the MPCA shaped Clean Water Partnership diagnostic studies, stream restoration plans, surface water/ground water interaction assessments, best management practices (BMPs) for nonpoint source pollution, watershed assessments for TMDLs, and stream morphology improvement methods for channel stability. Joe was the chief architect for program development of Biological Stressor BMP implementation strategies, which continue to be foundational for local watershed science and planning. Joe has boldly and innovatively pioneered several areas of research and development, from the deformed frog scientific assessments to multi-stage ditch systems.
But perhaps Joe’s biggest contribution while working with the MPCA and beyond relates to his mentoring of developing scientists. Joe has helped countless people to grow in their fields of expertise, from state and federal agency scientists, to local watershed staff, to students. In his roles at the MPCA Watershed Division, Joe oversaw and reviewed the work of several interdisciplinary teams, teaching and explaining things to help others in the watershed profession. Joe’s collaborative approaches have not stopped at the Minnesota borders, but have extended to other states and nations. Joe leads with patience and humility, and makes people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and abilities, feel equally valued and important.
Joe Magner is the recipient of the 2024 Dave Ford Award at the Minnesota Water Resources Conference.