Volunteer to protect Minnesota lakes from aquatic invasive species

During Starry Trek, scheduled this year for Aug. 20, volunteers gather at training sites to learn how to identify starry stonewort and then head out to local water accesses to search for signs of the invasive species.

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Breaking Eurasian watermilfoil’s stranglehold on Minnesota Lakes

Researchers and lake associations search for new ways to control this aggressive invasive species. Meanwhile, watercraft inspections remain the first line of defense in preventing the spread of AIS.

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Help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species while fishing and boating this season

Last weekend, Minnesota’s 2020 fishing season opened with a bang. There was snow up north, only a few fish caught in the St. Croix River, and no cameo appearances from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. None-the-less, record numbers of Minnesotans purchased fishing licenses last week and set sail in search of walleye, pike, and lake trout…

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In the battle against aquatic invasive species (AIS), key weapons include research, inspections & early detection

Last month, the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) announced nine new research projects scheduled to begin this summer. Included in the list are two projects aimed at controlling common carp – one to develop carp removal strategies that utilize social behaviors and one to explore a herpesvirus that could act as a potential…

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Put time on the water to good use this summer: Get free training to become a volunteer AIS Detector

“So much of Minnesota’s culture and recreation is based around the water and enjoying our lakes and rivers,” says Dan Larkin, an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist with the University of Minnesota. “And so, aquatic invasive species and other threats to those habitats really affect people personally.” Over the past ten years, the number of…

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Water you waiting for?

“All operators are busy at the moment. Please stay on the line and your call will be answered in approximately…60 minutes.” I was checking in on-line for a flight recently when I noticed that my name was wrong on the ticket. I called the airline and waited on hold for 1 hour, 7 minutes, and…

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Aquatic life in Forest Lake – The good, the bad, and the ugly

It was a beautiful night for Arts in the Park; the air was cool, the storm clouds had passed, and a Beatles tribute band was rocking the pavilion. My Forest Lake friends – a damselfly larva and a crawling water beetle – were swimming to the beat of the music in a container full of…

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Education, prevention, control are key components of Washington County aquatic invasives work for 2016

In Washington County, Eurasian watermilfoil has taken hold in 21 lakes, zebra mussels are in Forest Lake, White Bear Lake, and the St. Croix south of Stillwater, and flowering rush has become a problem along the shoreline of Forest Lake.

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Save the fish, then eat them

Public service announcements are being targeted to mobile devices near popular water bodies in Washington County to catch the attention of visitors, as well as local residents.

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