In May of 2019 Mary Hansen, joined MRWA’s staff as an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program Coordinator. Hansen works in collaboration with NCCISMA on public outreach and education concerning AIS. Mary developed a database of lakes within the northern region of the watershed that contains contact information for each lake. This database serves to provide baseline data on inland lake health. Mary also stays in contact with partners and concerned citizens in an effort to work together and accomplish similar goals.
Adding to her list of projects, Mary Hansen is also the Project Manager for the new Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) tree planting grant awarded to MRWA by the USDA Forest Service in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This grant will allow the MRWA to collaborate with 6 partners to plant 882 trees from Evart to Muskegon in an effort to reduce non-point source pollution caused by surface runoff. This project will also aid in restoring the historic tree canopy that once cooled the water temperatures of the Muskegon River.
