ANOKA, Minn. — Coon Creek Watershed District employee, Justine Dauphinais, has been named one of the first ever recipients of the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center’s Research Partnership Award. The award recognizes people, groups, and organizations who have gone above and beyond to contribute to MAISRC's mission of advancing aquatic invasive species knowledge and inspiring action to protect and restore Minnesota’s beloved waters.
Dauphinais was first introduced to MAISRC while pursuing her Masters at the University of Minnesota and spent time as a research fellow working on applied common carp research and management. Dauphinais is currently the Water Quality Coordinator for the Coon Creek Watershed District in Anoka County. She is widely seen as a leader of science-based AIS management in Minnesota and currently serves as the chair of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource’s AIS Advisory Committee.
“Still early in her career, Justine has emerged as a leader in the field of AIS management in the state—frequency incorporating and advocating for a research-based approach. Notably, Justine was one of the first managers to implement MAISRC’s recommendations on the removal of non-native Phragmites—resulting in the near complete removal of this invasive plant within Anoka County and viewed as a major success story. Justine has been a go-to resource for many of us at MAISRC and continues to provide valuable perspectives as a local natural resource manager,” explained Nick Phelps, MAISRC Director.
The MAISRC Research and Partnership Awards were announced at the Center’s annual Research and Management Showcase event recently (9/22/21). Dauphainais was one of four honorees in the award’s first ever cohort. Nominations for the award were solicited from MAISRC research teams and partner program staff, and Advisory Board.
“It has been inspiring and impressive to watch [MAISRC] grow into what it is today. I feel very fortunate as a local water resource manager here in the metro, in Anoka County, to be able to keep my ties with MAISRC, to attend these annual Showcases, to watch the science progress and develop, and to learn about new threats and new solutions— and then take those back and apply those locally, solving real, local, AIS problems,” explained Dauphinais during her award acceptance on September 22.
Funding for MAISRC is provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), the State of Minnesota, and private donors.
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CONTACT
Kristin Loobeek, MAISRC Communications
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