UMD News Releases

DULUTH, MN — In October, Minnesota Sea Grant’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator Doug Jensen received the first Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Achievement Award from Wildlife Forever.

Pat Conzemius, conservation director for Wildlife Forever, presented the award to Jensen at the Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference in Duluth, Minn., saying, that Jensen “has left a lasting mark on invasive species prevention here in Minnesota and far beyond. His passion for outreach and education has been instrumental in creating policy, programs and partnerships throughout the country. His understanding of science and people has been invaluable in making Minnesota a leading state for aquatic invasive species prevention.”

Jensen has been with the University of Minnesota Sea Grant Program for over 21 years. He is a native of Askov, Minn., and earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Jensen is regarded for championing two national campaigns: Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!™ and Habitattitude™. Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! helps recreational boaters and anglers become part of the solution in curbing the spread of invasive species like zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil. Habitattitude encourages aquarium hobbyists and water gardeners to prevent the release or escape of non-native pets and plants into the environment. These campaigns are currently being sustained by grants awarded to the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network, led by Minnesota, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Minnesota Sea Grant facilitates interactions among the public and scientists to enhance the environment and economies along Lake Superior and Minnesota’s inland waters by identifying information needs, fostering research, and communicating results. Minnesota Sea Grant is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Minnesota. It is part of NOAA Sea Grant, a nationwide network of 33 similar science-based programs.