Invasive crayfish research has advanced rapidly, yet translating this science into coordinated management remains a persistent challenge, particularly across the North American Great Lakes region where jurisdictions, capacity, and monitoring approaches vary widely. The Invasive Crayfish Collaborative (ICC) was formed in 2017 to bridge this gap by connecting researchers, managers, educators, and other stakeholders together. Facilitated collaboration among these partners enables crayfish science to inform practice while management needs shape research priorities. This presentation describes the ICC as a model for translational science, highlighting three projects: (1) a five-year strategic plan co-developed with regional partners to align priorities, (2) interjurisdictional workshops conducted in four Great Lakes states to train professionals in crayfish identification, monitoring, and reporting, and (3) a crayfish curriculum for grades 2–12 designed to build scientific literacy. Together, these efforts improve consistency in data collection, enhance early detection and reporting, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration. This case study demonstrates how structured collaboration can accelerate the translation of crayfish research into effective regional action and advance the management of invasive crayfish.