Selected Outreach and Research Activities

• Coordinator, Virginia Master Naturalist Program, 2005-present
  Coordinating a statewide program designed to train and involve volunteers in natural resource education, management, and conservation activities. At the state level, the Virginia Master Naturalist program is sponsored jointly by Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Virginia Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, and the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
• Citizen Science Director, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, 2001-2005
  Directed an education and research program designed to involve youth and other citizens in field research in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Coordinated inventory, monitoring, and research projects on amphibians, insects, plants, and other taxa. Developed and presented natural history and science-based residential workshops and programs for adults and youth. Collaborated with Discover Life in America to involve citizens in the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
• Director, Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, University of Minnesota, 1997-2001
  Developed a nationwide monarch butterfly monitoring program involving volunteers from the public in scientific research. http://www.mlmp.org.

Selected Publications

• Oberhauser K., M. Prysby. 2008. Citizen Science: Creating a Research Army for Conservation. American Entomologist 54:97-99.

• Prysby, M. D. and K. S. Oberhauser. 2004. Temporal and geographical variation in monarch densitites: Citizen scientists document monarch population patterns. In: Oberhauser, K. S. and M. J. Solensky, eds. The Monarch Butterfly: Biology and Conservation. Cornell University Press: Ithaca, NY.
• Prysby, M.D. 2004. Natural enemies and survival of monarch eggs and larvae. In: Oberhauser, K. S. and M. J. Solensky, eds. The Monarch Butterfly: Biology and Conservation. Cornell University Press: Ithaca, NY.
• Prysby, M, and P. Super. 2003. Citizen science a key component of Smokies resource management. Natural Resource Year in Review—2002. NPS Natural Resource Information Division, Washington, D.C.
• Oberhauser, K. and M. Prysby. 2003. How you can help scientists learn more about monarchs. American Butterflies: 11(2):14-23.
• Prysby, M. D. 2001. Temporal and geographical variation in monarch egg and larval densities (Danaus plexippus): An ecological application of citizen science. Master's Thesis. University of Minnesota.
• Karen S. Oberhauser, M. D. Prysby, H. R. Mattila, D. E. Stanley-Horn, M. K. Sears, G. Dively, E. Olson, J. M. Pleasants, W. F. Lam, and R. L. Hellmich. 2001. Temporal and spatial overlap between monarch larvae and corn pollen. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 98:11913-11918.
• Prysby, M.D. 2001. A Meeting of Monarchs and Citizens: Volunteers Discover Butterfly Biology. Wild Earth Fall/Winter 2001-2002:39-43.

Professional Achievements

• Director, Little River Watershed Association Board of Directors, 2004-present
• Member, Discover Life in America, Education Committee, 2001-present
• Member, Knoxville Community Food Co-op, Membership Committee, 2002
• Council of Graduate Students representative, University of Minnesota, 1997-2001
• Biological Science Policy and Review council graduate student chair, 2000-2001
• Volunteer, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 1998-1999