By Marne Kaeske on Wednesday, 24 June 2020
Category: News & Information

2nd Annual Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz

Get your boat cleaned! From MN to Quebec, boaters can have their watercraft inspected, cleaned, and learn what to do to help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Watercraft inspectors will help boaters clean-drain-dry their boats and properly dispose of unwanted bait.

Got questions about aquatic invasive species? Watercraft inspectors, conservation officers, and staff from county SWCD AIS programs will answer aquatic invasive species questions at public accesses, hand out information and highlight how individual actions make a difference in preventing the spread of AIS.

Great Lakes-wide effort. Boaters and other water recreation folks will learn about the risks of spreading aquatic invasive species at public water access sites across the Great Lakes region (https://www.glc.org/work/blitz). Great Lakes AIS Landing Blitz events will take place over two-weeks from June 27 - July 10, 2020. Local partners are teaming up with state and provincial agencies to deliver consistent messaging about preventing the introduction and spread of AIS by the movement of watercraft and equipment between water bodies. To help get the word out, many partners will be posting on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and using YouTube videos. We invite you to do the same!

Minnesota Effort. Across MN, MN DNR Watercraft Inspectors and Enforcement along with local governmental unit watercraft inspectors will be at over 700 water accesses over the two-week period.

Northeast MN Region Effort. Led by MN Sea Grant, a coalition of organizations have teamed up to provide watercraft inspection, education and social media, including: MN DNR Watercraft Inspection and Enforcement Programs, Wildlife Forever, University of Minnesota AIS Detectors, 1854 Treaty Authority, Carlton, Cook, Lake, and North St. Louis County SWCDs.

Where? On June 27, NE region partners will be at 27 accesses:

Enjoy your day on the water and help protect our waters too! Post your messages and pics to your social media using #GLAISBlitz, #stopaquatichitchhikers and #AIS and @djensenmnsg. 

To learn more. Here’s short list of harmful AIS: http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/ais/index. Tell us what invasive species you’ve encountered and which ones you are most concerned about.