Jamestown’s Ben Holen honored for aquatic protection leadership

Ben Holen, Jamestown-based aquatic nuisance species coordinator, received the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Director’s Award for professional excellence at the department’s annual staff meeting in December. The honor recognizes Holen’s technical work and program leadership in efforts to prevent and manage invasive organisms that threaten lakes, ponds and waterways used by Stutsman County residents.

Since stepping into the role of ANS coordinator, Holen has led inspection and outreach efforts, helped coordinate temporary crews and served as a central point of contact within the department for aquatic nuisance species matters. Those responsibilities are important to local anglers, boaters and landowners who rely on healthy waters for recreation, irrigation and the local economy.

Department director Jeb Williams praised Holen’s approach and his effect on the team: “What truly sets Ben apart is his leadership style. In a program that is often thankless and rarely acknowledged, he maintains an unwaveringly positive attitude,” Williams said. “This positivity is reflected in his team and in the army of temporary staff who feel supported, informed and valued under his guidance. Ben has become the department’s go-to source for all things ANS, providing clarity, insight and stability in a volatile and high-stakes program.”

The award signals statewide recognition of work based in Jamestown that directly touches Stutsman County. Aquatic nuisance species programs aim to reduce the spread of invasive plants and animals that can clog waterways, damage infrastructure and displace native species. Holen’s coordination of training, inspections and rapid response planning helps keep those threats from taking hold locally and reduces the risk of costly long-term cleanup for county residents.

For everyday users of local waters, the practical effects include a better-trained inspection workforce and clearer communication about risks and prevention measures. Holen’s emphasis on supporting temporary staff means more consistent coverage during peak recreation seasons and quicker responses to new infestations when they are reported.

As invasive species pressures evolve across the region, the department’s recognition of Holen underscores a broader investment in stability and expertise at the local level. For Stutsman County residents, that translates into continued vigilance, improved on-the-water protections and a point of contact in Jamestown focused on keeping area waterways healthy and usable for generations to come.