NEW ULM — For the second time, Steven Rykhus has been named an outstanding volunteer by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The first recognition was in 2014 for volunteer firearms safety instructor of the year, and the latest was earlier this month as 2024 ATV safety instructor of the year.
Thor Nelson, conservation officer for the DNR in New Ulm, said it’s a rare honor to be acknowledged twice.
“I’m unaware of any other volunteer who has received two awards,” he said. “That’s a pretty high bar. It’s a high bar to be acknowledged once, much less twice.”
New Ulm’s Rykhus said he hopes he’s establishing a legacy that his family can look back on.
“It feels good,” he said. “It’s an honor. It’s kind of a surprise I got a second one. You never know. Somebody puts your name in and the DNR looks at it, they do the choosing. It’s an honor to get one and now I’ve got the second. Hopefully it’ll inspire other people and other instructors.”
During the past 20 years, Rykhus has helped certify nearly 1,200 students at ATV safety classes in Brown and Lyon counties. In total, he’s taught almost 70 classes between the two counties, according to the DNR. He recruits new instructors as well.
In addition to being an ATV safety instructor, Rykhus is also a certified firearms safety and snowmobile safety instructor. He is among nearly 1,000 volunteer safety ATV instructors who work with DNR conservation officers to deliver ATV safety training certification.
“Steve is devoted to introducing the next generation to the outdoors and providing the foundation the students need to enjoy a lifetime in the outdoors,” Nelson stated in a press release. “He’s passionate about volunteering as an instructor and is a great example of the very best of the thousands of people across the state who serve as volunteer safety instructors.”
Rykhus said he’s focused on making enjoyment of the outdoors safe for all.
“What’s important is safety,” he said. “I want everybody to know what they need to do, to be safe out there and have fun and enjoy it and not get hurt or worse.”
As a kid, Rykhus wasn’t interested in sports but found a love for the outdoors when his neighbors invited him to join them on fishing and hunting expeditions.
“That’s how I got started when I was younger,” he said. “I just love the outdoors. I want people to be safe and know it is safe if they do it right and follow the rules.”
Nelson said volunteers such as Rykhus are valuable for the DNR.
“It’s a way to give back to a hobby that’s provided enjoyment for the instructor,” Nelson said. “It’s a good way to pass along the information and experiences that the instructors have gained in their outdoor recreation. Volunteer instructors are really the cog in the machine that leads to, especially youth, but anyone who needs the training to get that training.”
Rykhus said as his generation ages out, the DNR needs younger people to replace them.
“If there’s somebody who is interested in getting certified and helping out, and helping the youth be safe in what they’re doing, by all means get certified and help out,” he said.