Two diligent defenders of Colorado's aquatic environments, Robert Walters and Jennifer Murray from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, have received notable recognition from the Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species for their relentless battle against species that threaten the region's water bodies. The state prefers to call these disruptors "aquatic nuisance species" (ANS), a term encompassing not just the pesky plants and animals that invade lakes and streams, but also the pathogens and diseases that tag along with them, like the viral hemorrhagic septicemia or the notorious whirling disease.
At the Western Regional Panel/Missouri River Basin Panel's annual get-together this week in Lawrence, Kansas, it was Walters who walked away with the AIS Leader of the Year Award. His hands-on approach to preventing these invasive threats has set standards for others to aspire to. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, he leads programs statewide, coordinates swift mussel and invasive carp interventions, and revs up innovative tech for decontaminating watercraft. A committee member highlighted his reputation, saying, "There are few individuals in the harmful non-native aquatic species world as involved, impactful and effective as Robert."
Sharing the limelight, Murray nabbed the "Best in the West" award, getting kudos for her dedication to training and outreaching far beyond Colorado's borders. Her role has been pivotal in fortifying the regional defenses against non-native species. Murray has juggled her field responsibilities while crafting training programs, showing off tech tools, and lending a hand to inspectors and managers throughout the continent with the same finesse as she does her regular duties.
