Aquatic Invasive Species Bridge Snapshot Day: Volunteers Needed for Unique Citizen Monitoring Event
MADISON, WI – August 30, 2016 - On September 10, 2016, River Alliance of Wisconsin will team up with more than 20 partners for the third annual statewide aquatic invasive species monitoring event. Nearly 200 volunteers will help search for invasive species, including escaped or intentionally released water garden and aquarium species that could choke out our rivers and streams.
“Volunteers play a key role in early detection on their local waters and with their help we have more eyes on the water to prevent the spread of invasive species around the state,” explained Amanda Perdzock, River Alliance of Wisconsin’s Invasive Species Program Director. “At the 2014 Snapshot Day, volunteers found invasive species in previously undocumented locations including invasive faucet snails in the Lake Michigan basin. In 2015, Snapshot Day volunteers continued finding invasive species like water hyacinth in local waterbodies after attending this event. This information discovered by citizens helps researchers respond to the threats on our waters.”
Following a brief identification training, teams of volunteers will disperse to rivers and streams to help look for species of concern. Local partners statewide have selected critical monitoring sites that vary from bridges spanning big rivers to culverts on country roads crossing small trout streams where invasives are likely to be introduced, intentionally or unintentionally. According to Dr. Michael Alfieri, Associate Professor and Biology Chair at Viterbo University and volunteer at the 2014 AIS Bridge Snapshot Day in La Crosse, “Snapshot Day was a great way for me to spend time with my students outside of the classroom learning about aquatic invasive species while also meeting local residents who share a passion for protecting and preserving Wisconsin’s waters.” After their work exploring and evaluating, volunteers will reconvene at the rendezvous site to report on what they found.
There will be 26 rendezvous sites around the state, including Bayfield County, several in the Fox Valley and Lake Winnebago region, Waukesha County and Lafayette County. Volunteers will monitor over 150 locations on rivers such as the Fox River, Mississippi River, and more. Advanced registration is requested and will be open from August 1st to September 3rd. For a complete listing of rendezvous sites and to register, visit: https://www.wisconsinrivers.org/events/display/item/snapshot-day-5
Coordination of this event is made possible with generous support from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources through an Aquatic Invasive Species Education, Planning and Prevention grant, and the Citizen-based Monitoring Partnership Program.