Illinois and Indiana Aquatic Invasive Species Education and Outreach Program Marks Third Anniversary

Northeast Illinois and Northwest Indiana By Labor Day site leaders had put away their neon yellow vests, red cabanas, and beach chairs for the year.  This past season had marked the third anniversary of Clean Boats Crew, the aquatic invasive species education and outreach program that is a collaboration between the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (www.iiseagrant.org) and the Northeast Illinois Invasive Plant Partnership (www.niipp.net). 

Having worked every weekend from Memorial Day until mid-August in a summer that was often rainy and overcast, Clean Boats Crew site leaders were happy to have had a chance to talk with 1,956 boaters, anglers, and visitors at Diversey Harbor and Skokie Lagoons in Cook County, North Point Marina and Chain O’Lakes in Lake County; and Cedar Lake and Portage Public Marina in northwest Indiana.  Talking with boaters and anglers about aquatic invasive species (AIS) and what they can do to decrease the likelihood that their equipment is carrying AIS from lake to lake is important work.  Since the beginning of the program in July 2011 site leaders have talked with more than 5,300 recreational water users.  In addition, the program co-coordinators have also talked with classes at local high schools, colleges, and meetings of lakes management associations about how they can become involved in protecting regional lakes, ponds, and waterways from AIS.

“Prevention is the best method for dealing with any invasive species.  It is the most cost effective and keeps ecological impacts to a minimum.  It is amazing that just taking an extra step or two to properly maintain your equipment can have such a lasting impact on the water resources throughout the entire region” said Cathy McGlynn, co-coordinator for the Clean Boats Crew program.

A recent survey by an IL-IN Sea Grant Intern found that people feel personally responsible for preventing infestations of AIS.  People are more likely to be aware of AIS and take preventive action when exposed to outreach campaigns thus highlighting the need for programs like Clean Boats Crew.  This is good news and gives us incentive to continue working hard to foster a sense of stewardship among recreational water users in this generation and the next.  And so site leaders will be unpacking their cabanas and chairs and putting on their neon yellow vests next May!

The Clean Boats Crew program (http://www.iisgcp.org/ais/CleanBoatsCrew.html and http://niipp.net/?page_id=1176) and is funded through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and is just one component of Illinois DNR’s efforts to control the spread of invasive species. Earlier this year, Illinois DNR and Illinois Indiana Sea Grant launched “Be a Hero—Transport Zero,” a state-wide program that gives boaters, anglers, and beach goers the information they need to help stop aquatic invaders (www.transportzero.org). The state also spearheads efforts to detect new infestations and manage established species.