Mara Koenig

Experience

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  Alaska Department Of Natural Resources

  May 1999 - Aug 1999

  Natural History Interpreter

  •Environmental education coordinator and interpretive naturalist for three state parks •Authored and implemented the Junior Park Ranger Program for Ketchikan Area Office •Trained over 20 tour bus guides for the natural history cruise ship excursion program •Developed and presented environmental education curriculum and interpretive programming concerning conservation and natural resource management •Designed and constructed interpretive displays at three state parks •Identified resource impacts from visitation and informed district supervisor of potential conflicts and timely solutions •Responded to written, telephone and in-person inquiries from the public •Presented interpretive talks, demonstrations, videos and films to local community, tourists, youth organizations and civic clubs •Monitored and inspected facilities at three state parks and public recreational equipment •Assisted in daily operation of non-profit bookstore •Collected camp site fees Show less

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  GAME, FISH AND PARKS, SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF

  May 2000 - Aug 2000

  Seasonal Naturalist

  •Developed environmental education curriculum and interpretative programming concerning wildlife, conservation and natural resources •Designed and presented interpretive programs, living history demonstrations and films to youth organizations, civic clubs, school groups and public •Communicated up-to-date information on the forest wildfires within the Black Hills region to the public •Assisted in daily operation of visitor center and gift shop •Implemented native grassland programming through written and camp ground interpretive presentation •Minimized visitor service issues through timely conflict resolution •Monitored and inspected visitor use of various park facilities, lands and recreational equipment •Identified resource impacts from visitation and alerted supervisor of potential conflicts and timely solutions Show less

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  Dodge Nature Center

  Jul 2001 - Aug 2001

  Seasonal Naturalist

  •Prepared and presented environmental education curriculum and interpretive programming concerning wildlife, conservation and natural resources •Developed and presented presentations to nature center members, youth organizations, civic clubs and school groups •Responded to written, telephone and in-person inquiries from nature center members and the general public •Administered daily feeding, cleaning and maintenance of raptors, amphibians, reptiles and livestock•Monitored and inspected visitor use of various nature center facilities, property and public recreational equipment•Assisted in habitat restoration projects Show less

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  University of Minnesota Duluth

  Sept 2001 - May 2003

  Graduate Research Assistant

  •Conceptualized, developed, edited and disseminated internal and external publications including organization accomplishments, press releases, newsletters, articles and interpretive brochures and displays•Established and maintained relations with the public, local media, key officials, stakeholders and other natural resource organization counterparts to enhance information dissemination, transfer and exchange •Planned, conducted and analyzed biological research including avian, anuran, predator and water quality •Manage in excess of $25,000 budget •Environmental Education/Interpretation Program Coordinator for the Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center •Designed, evaluated and presented academic standard-based environmental education curriculum and interpretive programs concerning forestry, conservation and natural resources to schools, universities, youth organizations, civic clubs and public Show less

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  University of Minnesota, Extension Service

  May 2002 - Aug 2002

  Environmental Educator

  •Authored environmental education curriculum and interpretive program guides for Camp Esquagama in Biwabik, Minn•Designed training manual for camp staff incorporating the curriculum and program guides to teach environmental education utilizing the nature trail •Developed, wrote and employed interpretive signs for the St. Louis County 4-H Nature Trail •Provided expertise in developing and constructing interpretive signs

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  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

  Nov 2003 - now

  Design and execute communications strategies and outreach plans and associated materials that present Service programs, policies, objectives, and activities to the public through a variety of means, including the news media, and to anticipate public and press response to Service activities and issues in order to develop effective communication plans and outreach strategies. Issues involving wildlife conservation often become controversial and attract national and regional media interest. The work assists the Service and the DOI in attaining its program goals and encourages and facilitates communication among managers, biologists, and others with the various publics affected by Service and agency programs. Specifically, this position is the Service's national communications coordinator for pollinator conservation. They will carry out a variety of communications and engagement planning and management activities to pilot and maintain success of the Service’s role in conversing pollinators. Show less National co-lead of the Service's Partnerships Team for pollinator conservation. Identify and build relationships with diverse partners to promote and establish mutual pollinator conservation opportunities across all landscapes. I use innate communication skills and years of leadership in the field to share a vision for fish, wildlife and plant conservation. I specialize in enthusiastically working to broaden the my agency's influence and look beyond the initial scope to anticipate and capitalize on additional engagement opportunities to move the our mission and brand forward. Show less Established and maintained relations with local and national media networks, interest groups, consultants, and the public. Conceptualized, developed and disseminated internal and external communication products. Developed, implemented and monitored progress of short and long-term outreach and education strategies and plans for communicating the Refuge's mission and activities. Environmental Education Coordinator for the Bloomington Education and Visitor Center. Member of the national curriculum development team for the Federal Junior Duck Conservation and Design Program, including being the former state coordinator for Minnesota. Member of national training course design team for the National Conservation Training Center. Assist refuge biological studies including waterfowl and songbird banding, water quality, wildlife research and surveys and restoration of native habitats. Show less

  • Senior Public Affairs Specialist

    Jul 2022 - now

  • Public Affairs Specialist

    Aug 2016 - Jun 2022

  • Public Affairs Specialist

    Sept 2015 - Aug 2016

  • Visitor Services Specailist

    Nov 2003 - Sept 2015