A former U of M gymnast coordinates a holistic aquatic invasive species program in Hennepin County because he loves Minnesota lake life and wants to protect it.
Tony Brough’s job is to prevent aquatic invasive species (AIS) from taking hold in the waters of Hennepin County, a task that takes the perseverance and teamwork of an athlete.
Fortunately, the University of Minnesota alumnus (`93), lettered in men’s gymnastics, traveling to Big 10 competitions and excelling at the parallel bars. He also competes with Sunny, a Pomeranian-Sheltie, in dog agility.
Brough (pronounced Bruff) was recently honored with a 2024 Research Partnership Award from the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) for his work in Hennepin County and his involvement with the University of Minnesota Extension AIS Detectors Program.
“The recent advances using research to solve real-time threats to Minnesota lakes and rivers would not be possible without these champions,” says Nick Phelps, MAISRC director.
“Tony is heavily involved in AIS Detectors from a professional standpoint,” says Megan Weber, Extension AIS educator who leads the program. “Through Hennepin County, he sponsors workshops so anyone in the county can attend for free. He's a big cheerleader for Extension programs because he knows that empowering volunteers advances solutions to AIS problems.”
Brough completed the Extension AIS Detectors course training along with volunteers in 2019 before a professional track was added in 2021. “So many professionals were taking it in 2017-2019 that we decided to make a specialized track for them,” says Weber.
Rounding off into a career
Uncertain about his plans for the future in his junior year, Brough saw a flier for the U’s then-new natural resources and environmental sciences program and became a member of the first group to graduate with that major.
Brough then began his career at the Anoka Conservation District and Rice Creek Watershed District before joining Hennepin County in 2001, covering wetland permitting and the county’s Lake Improvement Program. In 2015, he was asked and accepted to be the county’s AIS prevention program coordinator.
“I’m on the water a lot,” says Brough. On any given day from ice-out until the end of the season, he can be seen managing the 500-plus buoys out on Lake Minnetonka or making improvements to how boaters stop to remove potential invaders from their boats.
Extension AIS Detector volunteers often talk to those boaters, whether at the access points or by talking with neighbors and lake associations. “It’s almost like getting our little army out there, informing the public,” he says. “You empower people when you give them the training, the tools to do it right.”
Parallel pursuits
Although he lives in Rockford, Brough and his wife Denise enjoy their lake cabin near Hibbing. Other aquatic pursuits include walleye fishing and sailing. By spending leisure time on the water, Brough relates to the Extension volunteers and other water-loving Minnesotans.
“They might be out kayaking, or watching their own bobber, but AIS Detector training gives people the tools to notice something and say, ‘That looks different. We should take a photo and make a call or report it to the Minnesota DNR.’”
Those efforts of ordinary Minnesotans make it possible for counties to have effective AIS early detection. “I think it’s important we have a holistic program,” says Brough. “All categories are important. One is AIS early detection. For a few years, we ran our own course with a consultant. Then I heard what Megan Weber was doing in Extension.”
Stick the landing
Brough credits his parents — his dad was also a U of M alumnus and choir teacher in Brooklyn Center — with drilling an ethic into him early in life that goes beyond doing the work.
“Accomplishing something, getting it done, is a skill set,” he says. “Planning is one part of it. But, as with sports, all that work has to count for something.”
University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center organize statewide volunteer programs that add capacity to Minnesota’s aquatic invasive species surveillance, prevention, education, outreach, research and management.
On U influences
“My coach Fred Roethlisberger made me go above and beyond what I ever thought I could accomplish. The late great Dan Zimpfer, U of M Gymnast, taught me through just observing him how to enjoy everything about life and ‘go big.’ And U of M Hall of Fame Gymnast Jeff Rock (also passed away now) taught me through coaching to never give up on any kid.”
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