Aquatic Invasive Species in Wisconsin NameTitleOrganizationDate

Main Topics Background—what they are, how they spread, why we care Background—what they are, how they spread, why we care Examples of some problematic species Examples of some problematic species What Wisconsin is doing about aquatic invasive species What Wisconsin is doing about aquatic invasive species What you can do to help What you can do to help Resources for more information Resources for more information

What are invasive species? Non-native plants, animals and pathogens that can “take over” Non-native plants, animals and pathogens that can “take over” Successful because: Successful because: Few natural predators, parasites, etc. Few natural predators, parasites, etc. Out-compete native species Out-compete native species

How do they get here? Ballast water Ballast water Stocking Stocking Nursery industry Nursery industry Bait industry Bait industry Aquaculture Aquaculture Aquarium trade Aquarium trade

How do they spread? Boaters Boaters Anglers Anglers Other water users Other water users Natural dispersal Natural dispersal

Why do we care? Economic impacts Economic impacts Fishing industry, tourism, property values Fishing industry, tourism, property values Ecological impacts Ecological impacts Native fish, invertebrates, plants Native fish, invertebrates, plants Recreational impacts Recreational impacts Boating, angling, swimming Boating, angling, swimming

Species Profile: Zebra Mussels Ballast water introduction to Great Lakes in 1980’s Ballast water introduction to Great Lakes in 1980’s Present in 98 WI water bodies (Jan 2007) Present in 98 WI water bodies (Jan 2007) Attach to any hard surface - thousands per square meter! Attach to any hard surface - thousands per square meter! Microscopic in early life stages Microscopic in early life stages

Species Profile: Eurasian Water-milfoil First found in WI in 1960s First found in WI in 1960s Present in 475 WI water bodies (Jan 2007) Present in 475 WI water bodies (Jan 2007) Dense mats interfere with water recreation Dense mats interfere with water recreation Can spread from small fragments Can spread from small fragments

Species Profile: Purple Loosestrife Imported from Europe late 1800s for gardens Imported from Europe late 1800s for gardens Crowds out native wetland species Crowds out native wetland species More than 1 million seeds annually More than 1 million seeds annually Also spreads vegetatively Also spreads vegetatively

Species Profile: Spiny and Fishhook Waterfleas Ballast water introduction to Great Lakes in 1980s Ballast water introduction to Great Lakes in 1980s Disrupt food chain & harm native fish Disrupt food chain & harm native fish Gummy clumps foul fishing gear Gummy clumps foul fishing gear Only in one inland WI lake: Gile Flowage, Iron County Only in one inland WI lake: Gile Flowage, Iron County Hank Vanderploeg Magnified—actual size less than ½”

Many more already in WI… Rusty crayfish Rusty crayfish Round goby Curly-leaf pondweed Curly-leaf pondweed Rainbow smelt Ruffe White perch White perch John Lyons Michigan Sea Grant MN Sea Grant

And others may be on the way… John Lyons A few of the potential threats: Hydrilla Asian Carp Water hyacinth

? ? ? Any questions on the species themselves?

Wisconsin’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program Education & Outreach Support Education & Outreach Support Statewide message Statewide message Publications & boat launch signs Publications & boat launch signs Displays & presentations Displays & presentations Media Media Contact: Julia Solomon Contact: Julia Solomon

Watercraft Inspection Watercraft Inspection DNR inspection program—staff monitor high traffic landings, lakes with invasive species DNR inspection program—staff monitor high traffic landings, lakes with invasive species Clean Boats, Clean Waters—volunteers trained to monitor local lakes Clean Boats, Clean Waters—volunteers trained to monitor local lakes Contact: Erin Henegar Contact: Erin Henegar Wisconsin’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program

Volunteer Monitoring Volunteer Monitoring Trained volunteers collect data on lake health including aquatic invasives Trained volunteers collect data on lake health including aquatic invasives Data used to map extent of spread for species Data used to map extent of spread for species Contact: Laura Herman Contact: Laura Herman Wisconsin’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program

Purple Loosestrife Biological Control Purple Loosestrife Biological Control Trained volunteers raise & release beetles Trained volunteers raise & release beetles Beetles available for free—great school or family project Beetles available for free—great school or family project Contact: Brock Woods Contact: Brock Woods Wisconsin’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program

Aquatic Invasive Species Grants Aquatic Invasive Species Grants $1.5 million/year $1.5 million/year Local governments given priority, but other organizations also eligible Local governments given priority, but other organizations also eligible Three grant categories: Three grant categories: Education, Prevention & Planning Education, Prevention & Planning Early Detection & Rapid Response Early Detection & Rapid Response Controlling Established Infestations Controlling Established Infestations Contact: Carroll Schaal Contact: Carroll Schaal Wisconsin’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program

Research Research UW Madison Center for Limnology developing “Smart Prevention” model UW Madison Center for Limnology developing “Smart Prevention” model Model helps DNR make strategic management decisions Model helps DNR make strategic management decisions Contact: Jeff Maxted Contact: Jeff Maxted Wisconsin’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program

Rules to Prevent Spread Rules to Prevent Spread Illegal to launch a boat with aquatic plants attached - Wis. Stat (2) Illegal to launch a boat with aquatic plants attached - Wis. Stat (2) Restrictions on use and transport of some AIS species Restrictions on use and transport of some AIS species Contact: Ron Martin Contact: Ron Martin Wisconsin’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program

Any questions about Wisconsin’s aquatic invasive species programs?

What You Can Do Boaters & Anglers Boaters & Anglers Inspect and remove aquatic plants and animals Inspect and remove aquatic plants and animals Drain all water from boat and equipment Drain all water from boat and equipment Dispose of unwanted bait in trash Dispose of unwanted bait in trash Rinse boat and equipment with hot/high pressure water OR Rinse boat and equipment with hot/high pressure water OR Dry boat for at least 5 days Dry boat for at least 5 days

What You Can Do Aquarium & Water Garden Enthusiasts Aquarium & Water Garden Enthusiasts Never release pets or plants into nature Never release pets or plants into nature Contact retailers or the DNR for alternative solutions for unwanted specimens Contact retailers or the DNR for alternative solutions for unwanted specimens Know what you’re getting—avoid purchasing known nuisance species Know what you’re getting—avoid purchasing known nuisance species

What You Can Do More Ways to Help More Ways to Help Volunteer! Volunteer! Educate friends & neighbors Educate friends & neighbors Protect natural shoreline & native plants Protect natural shoreline & native plants

Resources for More Information Web addresses Web addresses DNR site: DNR site: UWEX Lakes site: UWEX Lakes site: Staff contacts Staff contacts Julia Solomon—General questions, pub orders, information Julia Solomon—General questions, pub orders, information Erin Henegar—Clean Boats, Clean Waters Erin Henegar—Clean Boats, Clean Waters Laura Herman—Citizen Lake Monitoring Network Laura Herman—Citizen Lake Monitoring Network Brock Woods—Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol Brock Woods—Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol Carroll Schaal—Aquatic invasive species grants Carroll Schaal—Aquatic invasive species grants Jeff Maxted—UW Center for Limnology research Jeff Maxted—UW Center for Limnology research Ron Martin—Policy, budget & program information Ron Martin—Policy, budget & program information

Any questions? Thank you!