Volunteer Barry Matthews explains the sea lamprey invasion into the Great Lakes aboard the educational schooner, "Inland Seas" prior to his retirement in May 2006. - FWS photo

Since retiring as a Computer Assistant in May of 2006, former Service employee Barry Matthews has volunteered his time to become sea lamprey control's personal outreach envoy. 

Beginning in June 2006, and continuing through years end, Matthews contributed more than 200 hours reaching 1,150 persons with information about sea lamprey control and other aquatic invasive species. 

Continuing with his volunteer work in 2007, Matthews has logged about 140 hours of volunteer time at 10 outreach events where he interacts with children in grade school and conducts interpretive programs in state parks, maritime museums, and aboard the Inland Seas Education Association schooner, "Inland Seas".  So far in 2007 Barry has spread the invasive species story to nearly 1,600 persons around the Great Lakes region.