(Re)Introducing Meg Duhr, MAISRC’s Research Outreach Specialist

June 25, 2021

Like most things in 2020, Meg Duhr's first few months at MAISRC didn’t exactly go to plan. As our first ever research outreach coordinator, Meg's role is to build connections with managers, residents, and researchers. After only a few weeks in the office, she found herself in a statewide stay-at-home order. However, looking forward to the rest of summer 2021, Meg will be back on the road and sharing our research with lake associations, local governments, and more!

Meg joined MAISRC after working as a manager and biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service for over ten years. A native of Green Lake, Wisconsin, Meg spent the majority of her time on wildlife refuges in the Pacific Northwest and the remote Pacific islands, working on habitat restoration and battling invasive species. Fortunately for us, Meg is an avid cross country skier and has confirmed that she is more than happy to be back in the land of 10,000 lakes despite the frosty winters. 

After a year of Zoom calls and emails, we are excited to announce that Meg is now able to resume travel and public engagements. So what can you expect in terms of outreach from MAISRC in 2021? Meg will be joining lakeshore associations, rotary clubs, local governments, and more across the state for meetings and presentations on current MAISRC research and aquatic invasive species management recommendations. Meg serves as a bridge between researchers and the public, especially those who implement AIS research in management and decision-making. Meg is both able to translate the science and methodologies of our research to those wanting to learn more about the studies, as well as relay real-world concerns and priorities back to researchers and MAISRC staff. 

Interested in meeting with Meg or having her present to a group in your community? Send her an email with your name, affiliation, and interest or concern surrounding aquatic invasive species research to [email protected].

Additional outreach efforts this summer include helping lake associations with recent infestations of zebra mussels understand the potential impacts and what can and can’t be done about them, and the Stop Spiny campaign—a research-supported, statewide awareness effort to prevent the spread of spiny water fleas by wiping down and draining fishing gear. You can also plan to see Meg at MAISRC’s annual Research and Management Showcase this year (save the date for Sept. 22, 2021!).