F) Project Manager Description and Organization Description: 

Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates was formed in 1993 to “Protect Minnesota’s Lake and River Heritage for current and future generations by forging powerful links among lakes, lake advocates and policy makers.” MLR has over 250 lake association members and over 6000 individual members. Over the last 25 years MLR has built a reputation and relationship with key stakeholders and partners across Minnesota. 

MLR has organized three Aquatic Invaders Summits, each of which drew over 400 people from across Minnesota and neighboring states. The Summits featured local, national and international experts on Aquatic Invasive Species, AIS issues and programs. The Summits’ goal has been to increase communication, collaboration and cooperation among the many groups working to prevent the spread and manage the current infestations of AIS in Minnesota. 

MLR works in the nexus of local government units, academia, state agencies like MN DNR, and local civic groups to address AIS issues. At the 2015 Aquatic Invaders Summit, MLR convened a host of partners to develop the first Local AIS Action Framework, LAAF which was adjusted and approved by attendees at the 2015 Aquatic Invaders Summit including many local units of government staff, DNR staff, academics, marina and resort owners and citizens. This LAAF served as a working template for Counties as they established their AIS programs following passage of the County AIS Prevention Aid. 

In 2016 MLR worked with AIS Planners at the DNR and County AIS Specialists to design a standardized template for Counties to use when reporting on the AIS programs established after the County AIS Prevention Aid came online. Last year about half of the counties voluntarily used this framework to report on their AIS efforts, providing better data in a format that is more comparable and trackable. 

MLR is a stable and efficient organization with a long track record. 

Project Manager: Jeff Forester, Executive Director of Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates MLR has two staff, and is served by a volunteer board. Jeff Forester, E.D. of Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates has been involved in AIS issues for over a decade. He served on the DNR Commissioner’s Statewide AIS Advisory Committee for four years and on the Initiative Foundation’s grant review committee for their AIS Innovations Grants funded by the Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. In addition, Jeff meets regularly with many local County AIS Committees, County Board members, Watershed District and Soil and Water Conservation District Managers. He has strong working relationships at both the state and local levels of government. 
Because of his unique knowledge of AIS issues, and his deep and diverse relationships with both citizen organizations and professional resource managers at all levels of government, Jeff is best positioned to be the project manager for this effort.