This week is Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness week, and events are being held throughout the week to remind Michiganders of simple ways they can do their part to stop the spread of invasive species.
Events are scheduled at more than 60 boat launches across the state. They will be held by members of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Environmental Quality, and the Department of Natural Resources.
The main event is called the A.I.S. Landing Blitz. All of the events are meant to be educational and informative.
Kevin Walters is an Aquatic Biologist with the DEQ’s Water Resource Division.
“The main thing we tell boaters and anglers during the landing blitz is that they can really make an impact on reducing the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species by decontaminating their boats and gear when they move between lakes, and really what that means is cleaning draining and drying everything that touches the water.”
Walters said the landing blitz has occurred annually for the last four years.
“That’s a coordinated effort to empower local volunteers and local groups to get out to boating access sites in their region and deliver invasive species awareness information and education and decontamination information to boaters and anglers.”
More information on events and invasive species can be found on the DEQ’s website.