From left to right, Heather Triezenberg, Michigan Sea Grant, and Dave Hart, Wisconsin Sea Grant, congratulate IISG's Amy Shambach for her 2023 Great Lakes Sea Grant Network Early Career Award.

At the recent Great Lakes Sea Grant Network meeting in Evanston, Illinois, Amy Shambach, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant aquaculture marketing outreach associate, was presented with the 2023 Great Lakes Sea Grant Network Early Career Award.

Shambach has been in her role with IISG since 2019. Since then, she has developed numerous outreach products, including videos, factsheets, and websites. She has organized and led webinars and workshops in the two states and helped lead Great Lakes-wide projects.

Throughout her four years with the program, Shambach has worked closely with fish farmers—she has been someone they can turn to for guidance and information. As a result, she was able to help some farmers successfully secure federal support during COVID and then when an ice storm hit southern Illinois.

“It is unusual for someone to launch so many high-output, high-impact programs so early in their Sea Grant career, especially when they begin the job with little outreach experience,” said Stuart Carlton, IISG assistant director. “However, Amy is not usual, she is special, and is well deserving of recognition for her work.”

Ashley Belle, third from left, and the Spirit Lake Project Team, were presented with a 2023 Western Dredging Association Environmental Excellence Award for Partnerships and Outreach/Education.

Also honored at a recent event, IISG’s Ashley Belle is part of an award-winning team working to inform residents and other stakeholders in a Great Lakes Area of Concern that is undergoing an environmental cleanup. Belle leads outreach efforts for the Spirit Lake Project Team that was recently presented a 2023 Western Dredging Association Environmental Excellence Award for Partnerships and Outreach/Education.

Spirit Lake is located in the St. Louis River between Minnesota and Wisconsin and is part of one of the largest Great Lakes Legacy Act sediment remediation projects. This work takes place near the Duluth, Minnesota neighborhood of Morgan Park and a culturally significant tribal site—Spirit Island.

As the cleanup progresses, Belle and the team have provided public meetings, regular updates delivered to residents, online photo galleries, an onsite kiosk, and more.

IISG Instagram

Whether you’re teaching in a classroom, leading outdoor programs, or developing community science initiatives, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant offers free, high-quality educational resources to support your work.🔗 Dive into lesson plans, activities, and professional development opportunities: https://iiseagrant.org/education/ Empowering educators to connect learners with the Great Lakes and beyond. 🌎💧#TeachingTuesday
Now that the heat of summer has passed, are you thinking about stocking your pond for fishing? 🎣 Find the gamefish you need with the Great Lakes Fresh Fish Finder and make your next catch a great one!Visit https://freshfishfinder.org/.
Great Lakes seafood is local, nutritious, and sustainably sourced.Curious where to find it? Dedicated farmers and producers across the region are bringing fresh fish straight to their communities. By buying local, you’re supporting Great Lakes fishers and farmers. Discover what’s available near you at the Sea Grant Great Lakes Fresh Fish Finder. Visit FreshFishFinder.org to explore fresh options in your area!
Stocking your garden pond or fish tank?The Sea Grant Great Lakes Fresh Fish Finder website can help! Hardworking producers in your community have healthy, sustainable, clean, colorful fish ready for you.Visit FreshFishFinder.org to find fresh fish raised in the Great Lakes region.Stocking your garden pond or fish tank?The Sea Grant Great Lakes Fresh Fish Finder website can help! Hardworking producers in your community have healthy, sustainable, clean, colorful fish ready for you.Visit FreshFishFinder.org to find fresh fish raised in the Great Lakes region.Clink the link in bio to learn more!
Skip to content