1. Introduction to Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

2. Outline for Today Introduction to Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
AIS Jeopardy!
How to inspect a boat
Video Contest Announcement

3. Aquatic Invasive Species
"exotic", "alien", and "non-native" means the species does not naturally occur here
"native" plants occur naturally and are fully integrated into the ecosystem
Not all non-native species are harmful
Invasive species disrupt the natural ecosystem, out-compete native plants and take over large areas.

4. Aquatic Invasive Species
"exotic", "alien", and "non-native" means the species does not naturally occur here
"native" plants occur naturally and are fully integrated into the ecosystem
Not all non-native species are harmful
Invasive species disrupt the natural ecosystem, out-compete native plants and take over large areas.

5. Where MN AIS Came From

6. Invasive Plants of Minnesota
Form dense mats that make boating and swimming difficult
Form a large mono-culture that degrades habitat
Flowering Rush
Curly-leaf Pondweed

7. Invasive Plants of Minnesota
Form dense mats that make boating and swimming difficult
Form a large mono-culture that degrades habitat
Eurasian Watermilfoil
Starry Stonewort
Native vs. Invasive

8. Testing for Plants

9. Zebra mussels D-shaped shell Brown stripes ¼ - 1 ½ inches long
Females produce up to a million eggs per year
Byssal threads attach to hard objects

10. Zebra mussels Impacts Cut feet on beaches Clog irrigation pipes
Clog boat motors
Harm fisheries
Mille Lacs Lake bottom, 2012

11. Zebra mussels
Minnesota
2017

12. Testing for Zebra mussels
veliger

13. Testing for Zebra mussels

14. Knocking on our door… Rusty Crayfish Spiny waterflea
Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS)
Asian carp 6

15. Otter Tail County

16. Minnesota Laws
You must let any water-related equipment (dock, lift, swim raft) sit out for 21 days before putting in another water body
YOU MAY NOT
Travel down the road with your boat plug in
Move plants or AIS from one lake to another
Transport water from one lake to another

17. What can you do? Learn what AIS look like! Always be on the look-out
Monitor for AIS
“Adopt” a River or Lake
Prevent AIS Spread

18. What can you do?
CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY

19. What can you do?
Dispose of unwanted bait and pets in the trash. Never release live bait into a waterbody, or release aquatic animals from one waterbody into another.

20. Jeopardy! 200 400 600 800 1000 Invasive Plants of Minnesota
Invasive Animals of Minnesota
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400
600
800
1000

21. CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY x

22. Spread the word! Do your part!