Maria D’Amico is the Clean Marinas Coordinator for the Lake Erie Basin with Ohio Sea Grant. Maria works alongside the Clean Marina Team to promote sustainable marina practices and to protect Ohio’s Lake Erie shoreline through education, outreach, and collaboration. She works with the Ohio Clean Marinas and Clean Boater programs to help improve water quality while supporting the economic vitality of the marine trades industry. Her primary responsibilities include communication and collaboration with Lake Erie marinas, along with education and outreach on topics including aquatic invasive species, shrink wrap recycling, marine debris, and more.

Maria holds a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University in Ecology and Conservation Biology with minors in business, Spanish, and general science. She also holds a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University in Biological Sciences and has created a strong foundation in aquatic ecology, aquaculture, and freshwater conservation. Maria’s experience spans from mammalian terrestrial research to aquaculture work, to freshwater fish research. Thus, bringing both scientific insight and deep passion to her work in habitat protection and water quality improvement. In this position she strives to create practical solutions and collaborations that preserve Lake Erie for future generations.