HOT PURSUIT

It’s always inspiring to me to come across teenagers who are doing great things in their community. I’ve found another remarkable example of this with Cody Shaw, a Steele County 4-Her whose efforts in bringing a Peregrine Falcon program to the area last winter have landed him a top state honor. 

Shaw of Owatonna received the 2024 DNR Commissioner’s 4-H Youth award for outstanding conservation at the recent Minnesota State Fair. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, along with DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, presented Shaw with the award on Aug. 30.

Now in its 33^rd year, the awards are given out annually to a 4-H member and FFA student who have demonstrated initiative, leadership, creativity and achievement in conservation and wise use of natural and agricultural resources. Shaw is the first 4-Her from Steele County to ever receive the award. Grace Grant of Stillwater won the FFA award.

Initially tasked with developing ideas for a food drive, Shaw learned of the Peregrine Falcon program at the Mayo Clinic and wondered if there was a way he could combine the two. This led him to develop a 4-H project around coordinating the falcon presentation and ultimately building nesting boxes for American kestrels.

Shaw led the coordination of the presentation held in February at Owatonna High School. About 40 people attended by making contributions to Community Pathways. Shaw raised around 70 pounds of food and $40 cash.

As part of Shaw’s interest in the falcons, he found out that the declining kestrel population primarily lives on tall buildings like the Mayo Clinic in downtown Rochester. He said the kestrels are rebounding because of conservation efforts like his.

“I wanted to show people you can make a difference with conservation in your local area,” said Shaw, who is a senior in Owatonna and a 10-year 4-H member of the Meriden Meadowlarks. “You can help protect wildlife in your area.”

Shaw engaged the Extension Office for ideas to build and distribute kestrel nesting boxes. He worked with a local hardware supplier to get donated supplies, arranged to use the school’s woodshop and recruited other 4-H members to help build 10 boxes that have been distributed to farms around the county.

He said the DNR particularly liked his approach to getting boxes out in the community.

Shaw, who is in his fourth year of conservation as a 4-H youth leadership project, said he enjoys being outdoors. “I want to make sure it’s protected for future generations so they can experience what we experience today,” he said.

He earned purple ribbons on three different projects at the State Fair this year, including rabbit, demonstration and conservation. However, winning the state DNR honor became the highlight for Shaw. “I was very happy to receive such a prestigious award,” he said, adding he didn't even know it existed until he won it.

In addition to 4-H, Shaw is captain of Owatonna’s trapshooting team and a SHOC member. He is also involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters. After graduating next spring, he plans to pursue a career in nursing. Shaw’s parents are Brian and Tracy Ackman-Shaw.

Earlier this summer, he traveled to the nation’s capital for Citizenship Washington Focus, a premier 4-H leadership program.

There is no question Cody is on the right track of becoming a leader as he goes in hot pursuit of finding his way through life.