By Allison Conner
Published 1:10 pm on December 8, 2025
Joshua Jones took his seat in a Bemidji State University hydrology class in the fall of 2014 during a period of his life that was marked by movement, curiosity, and a desire for direction.
In his young adulthood, Jones spent time managing vineyards, competing as a professional motocross rider, working construction and factory jobs, touring as a drummer, and graduating with a degree from Tallahassee Community College. Each experience moved him forward, but none settled into a clear path.
Then, a few minutes into his first hydrology class at BSU, something clicked.
“I remember thinking, ‘Wow — I didn’t even know this was a degree,’” Jones said. “It was almost like a cartoon, like a big light bulb turned on over my head.”
For the first time, he envisioned a clear career pathway.
That moment became the starting point toward working with his passion for water, and it eventually led to a responsibility that extends far beyond the science coursework.
The Bemidji State alumnus and current hydrogeologist with the Red Lake Department of Natural Resources was recently named a recipient of the 2025 Virginia McKnight Binger Heart of Community Honor. He was recognized for his youth-centered environmental leadership and community impact at an award ceremony on Nov. 18.
“Taking that first course at BSU really did change the entire trajectory of my life,” Jones said. “There are a lot of different directions life can take. Education helps people see options they didn’t know they had.”
From hydrology to youth-centered work
Jones began his work as a hydrogeologist with the Red Lake DNR. As he spent more time with the community, his role shifted from scientist to environmental leader for the youth in Red Lake.
“I really like what I do now,” Jones said. “I’m still using my degree, just in a different way.”
That shift is visible along the shoreline.
Jones worked with a youth crew to reopen access along the shoreline at Lower Red Lake. Days were spent clearing brush by hand, pulling poison ivy from the beach, and carving trails back into the trees. When the project ended, the group decided to hold a gathering by the lake.
The turnout surprised everyone. Cars lined the road, and families continued to arrive through the afternoon.
“We thought maybe a few hundred people would attend,” Jones said. “Instead, it turned into something much bigger. Well over 2,000 community members showed up.”
From the beginning, the project was designed around access. Wheelchair-friendly paths were built into the shoreline, and pontoon rides made it possible for elders to spend time on the lake, some for the first time.
“The lake is sacred,” Jones said. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it.”
Investing in the next generation
Jones earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental science with an emphasis in hydrogeology in 2017 and a master’s degree in environmental studies in 2024, both from BSU.
He now runs the internship program at the Red Lake DNR, working closely with Bemidji State students as they gain hands-on experience shaped by community needs. What many students need most, Jones said, is the chance to apply classroom knowledge to a real-world setting.
“The BSU environmental science program is really strong,” he said. “The students I’ve had intern with me are very knowledgeable already.”
The partnership has also created opportunities that extend beyond Minnesota. Through a collaborative exchange involving Red Lake Nation and Bemidji State, Jones helped host graduate students from Colombia. Those students contributed to water and sediment research alongside local students.
Plans are underway to welcome the Colombian graduate students back to harvest at the wild rice camp in Lake of the Woods for the summer of 2026. That wild rice will then be introduced to both Upper and Lower Red Lake as part of restoration efforts responding to historic hydrological changes in the region.
The McKnight recognition affirmed work the community had already embraced.
Jones was also selected for the 2025 Initiators Fellowship, a two-year program designed to support entrepreneurial leaders launching community-based initiatives. Through the fellowship, he will continue expanding his youth-centered environmental work while developing a social enterprise aimed at reaching more Native youth across Minnesota.
When Jones attended the McKnight Foundation award ceremony in November, he brought members of his youth work crew with him. The recognition, he said, belongs to all of them.
“This award was shared with all of us,” Jones said. “It reflects what we’ve built together.”
Looking ahead, Jones hopes those in the next generation recognize their own potential and understand that one day, they will be the ones shaping the world.
“I’m always reminding them that there are so many different pathways you can take through life,” he said. “You’re going to be leaders someday — and when you’re in my shoes, how are you going to give back and help your community?”
