
Mitch Michaud
Interim Executive Director
(907) 260-5449 ext. 1206
executivedirector@kenaiwatershed.org
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Candace Nakagawa
Accounting Manager
Grant Management
(907) 260-5449 ext. 1203
Bookkeeper@kenaiwatershed.org
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Maura Schumacher
Environmental Scientist
Invasive Species Specialist
(907) 260-5449 ext. 1208
maura@kenaiwatershed.org
Profile
Maura has spent the past ten years working in invasive species management throughout many corners of the U.S. and Alaska. Maura was drawn to conservation work at an early age after growing up in northern Minnesota and enjoying canoe and hiking trips with her family. After graduating from college with a degree in Natural Science and Environmental Studies, Maura headed out West to work with a variety of land management agencies where she fine-tuned her skills in botany, invasive species management techniques, and geospatial technologies.
Maura loves the diversity of opportunities she has at KWF to participate in hands-on restoration, educating the public, and working with partners to problem solve and collaborate on invasive species issues in Alaska.
When Maura isn’t on the lookout for invasive species (ok let’s be real she’s always on the lookout…), she can be found paddling anything she can get her hands on, biking, playing in the snow, and crafting up a storm when forced indoors.

Benjamin Meyer
Environmental Scientist
Water Quality Coordinator
(907) 232-0280
ben@kenaiwatershed.org
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If Ben could meet any famous person from history it would be the caveman or cavewoman who drew the world’s oldest known picture of a salmon, 25,000 years ago on the ceiling of the “Abri du Poisson” cave in France.
You can check out some of Ben’s recent projects on our Water Research News section, or his research portfolio at www.benjamin-meyer.net.

Brandon Drzazgowski
Environmental Scientist
Stream Watch Coordinator
(907) 398-4304
BrandonSW@kenaiwatershed.org
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Brandon also has a new found passion for volleyball and can be found playing or training when he isn’t busy getting lost in the woods.

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Sara spent this past summer working with and getting familiarized with each department at the KWF. She has since taken on the role of Development Coordinator. In this role, she hopes to grow the KWF membership base, and show our supporters how much we at the Kenai Watershed appreciate our community members and their support. Sara looks forward to getting involved around the peninsula, meeting people, and working to protect the area that means so much to her.

Katey Shedden
Education Specialist
Summer Camp Coordinator
(907)252-3443
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Melissa Smith
Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership Coordinator
(907)260-5449 ext.
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Introducing Melissa Smith! Melissa started as the new Coordinator for the Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership in late November. She was born and raised in Alaska and has always enjoyed the bounty of the State’s natural resources; from backpacking in the Kenai Mountains to filling her freezer with the most pristine fish and game meat on the planet. Melissa has held various natural resource jobs, which has cultivated a strong sense of connection to and concern for the sensitive fish habitat on the Kenai River and surrounding salmon streams. Melissa is excited to take on this new role, so she can continue to protect and enhance fish habitat through partnerships that actively seek to foster fish habitat conservation on the Kenai Peninsula. You can email Melissa at fishhabitat@kenaiwatershed.org.
Website: www.kenaifishpartnership.org

Bonnie Bernard
Invasive Species Technician

Victoria Eisenberg
Invasive Species Intern

Matthew Maguire
Stream Watch Intern

Finn Newman
Stream Watch Intern

Katrina Danzinger
Environmental Science Intern