Emily Cook is an Outreach Specialist for the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network.  She will speak on Status of Invasive Species in Northern Michigan at the January 8 meeting of the Master Gardener Association of Northwest Michigan. The meeting will be held at the Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Road. Refreshments will be served at 6 p.m. and the program will start at 6:30 p.m.

Emily Cook received a degree in Natural Resources Management in 2010 from Grand Valley State University. Before that date and since, she has held positions with The Nature Conservancy, the National Park Service, and several non-profit organizations. Her experience ranges from hands-on invasive species treatment to outreach and education for all ages. Emily joined the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN) in June 2015 as their Outreach Specialist. In that position she coordinates all public and partner events, recruits volunteers, and manages social media and outreach efforts. Additionally, she spearheads ISN's Go Beyond Beauty program, working with garden professionals in an effort to prevent the sale of high-priority invasive ornamentals. When not combating invasive plants, she can be found running, mountain biking, gardening, or painting near her home in Arcadia, Michigan.   

 “We’re looking forward to having Emily Cook talk with us because of the excellent work the Invasive Species Network has been doing, and her stellar contribution to that effort,” says Michele Worden, President of the Master Gardener Association of Northwest Michigan. “Key to the protection of our local areas are public awareness of the invasive species issues, and help with their eradication.”