After more than three decades of municipal governmental service, Scott Schwieder retired from the City of Rochester, Minnesota, in 2018. Over his career, Scott Schwieder has obtained certification from several government organizations in recognition of his expertise, including the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Dedicated to creating a livable, healthy, and sustainable Minnesota, the DNR recently announced it had confirmed the first case of a new invasive species, the flowering rush. The DNR discovered the flowering rush, an aquatic plant, in small patches on Grants Lake in Douglas County. If allowed to grow unchecked, flowering rush can make it difficult for boats to access the water, and can crowd out plants native to the area. With the goal of eliminating the plant, the DNR has begun removing them by hand.

To help it in its initiative to keep Minnesota free of flowering rush, the DNR has asked the public to report sightings. Flowering rush grows in shallow water along shores, as well as in deeper water, where it is more difficult to identify. It has pink flowers when in bloom. The DNR warns individuals they can spread the species by illegally placing water garden plants in public bodies, and by moving water-related equipment.