University of Wisconsin - Extension

RHINELANDER, Wis: Lake association members and other citizens can attend 20 workshops across Wisconsin in coming months to give them tools and knowledge to help prevent zebra mussels, Eurasian water-milfoil and other invasive species from spreading to their favorite lakes.

The workshops offer training and resource kits that volunteers can use at boat landings to help educate boaters about how to clean their boats to make sure they're free of invasive aquatic species. The most common way that aquatic invasive species are transported and introduced to new Wisconsin lakes is by hitching a ride on boats, boat trailers, and bait buckets coming from infested water.

"With the growing concern over the spread of aquatic invasive species to Wisconsin's inland lakes, many lake association members and other concerned citizens are looking for ways to get involved," says Laura Felda-Marquardt, volunteer coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invasive species program. "This program is an opportunity for volunteers to be in the frontline of defending Wisconsin lakes against aquatic invasive species."

The DNR has about a dozen watercraft inspectors who work at boat launches during the summer, talking to boat owners and providing them information to help them identify invasive species and take steps to ensure their boats are clean of these invaders. Participants at the workshops receive the training and materials they need to expand such outreach efforts to other boat landings.

The program will focus primarily on zebra mussels and Eurasian water-milfoil, two of the most prevalent invasive species in the state. Zebra mussels were first introduced into Wisconsin in Lake Michigan in 1990. They form dense clusters that attach to hard surfaces, and can decimate native mussel populations, decrease the available oxygen that fish and other aquatic creatures need, and worsen smelly, unsightly algae blooms. Eurasian water-milfoil, which forms dense mats at the water's surface that can hamper boating, fishing and swimming, first entered Wisconsin in the 1960s and has infested more than 350 lakes in 54 counties.

DNR, the Wisconsin Association of Lakes and the University of Wisconsin-Extension Lakes program are sponsoring the workshops. Workshops are open to adults and youth. Adults or lake associations interested in participating and receiving a handbook and resource kit are strongly encouraged to work with a local youth partner. The workshop fee is $25 and pre-registration is required. To register or learn more about the workshops, contact Laura Felda-Marquardt by e-mail, Laura.Felda@dnr.state.wi.us, or at the UW-Extension Lakes Program, (715) 346-3366, or the Rhinelander office, (715) 365-2659.

Workshop Locations:

April 15, Green Bay, 7-9 p.m., Wisconsin Lakes Convention

April 17, Green Bay, 1:30-4 p.m., Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary

April 24, Lincoln, 9-12 noon, Lincoln Town Hall, Vilas County

May 11, Oshkosh, 6-9 p.m., Oshkosh DNR Service Center

May 15, Balsam Lake, 6-9 p.m., Polk County Government Center

May 15, Cumberland, 9-12 noon, Cumberland Elementary School

May 22, Fitchburg, 9-12 noon, DNR Service Center, 3911 Fish Hatchery Road

May 18, Rhinelander, 5-8 p.m., Rhinelander DNR Service Center

May 25, Wautoma, 6-9 p.m., Wautoma DNR Service Center.

June 5, Eau Claire, 9-12 noon, Beaver Creek Reserve

June 9, La Crosse County, location to be announced

June 15, Riverview, 6-9 p.m., Riverview Town Hall, Oconto County

June 16, Portage County 5-8 p.m., location to be announced

June 19, Grantsburg, 9-12 noon, Burnett Government Center

June 19, Solon Springs, 6-9 p.m., Solon Springs Community Center

June 25, Cable, 9:45-12 noon, Northwest Lakes Conference at Telemark Resort

July 10, Hayward, 9-12 noon, location to be announced

July 10, Phillips, 6-9 p.m., location to be announced

July 15, Lincoln, 6-9 p.m., Lincoln Town Hall, Vilas County

July 24, Crandon, 9-12 noon, location to be announced