SCRA AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES WORKSHOP
The SCRA is hosting an exciting workshop to develop a basin-wide strategic plan for dealing with aquatic invasive species and we need your input! This working conference will identify AIS prevention needs. We’ll use those priorities to pursue funding that will help you with your work.
Three other priorities were determined during previous strategic planning meetings. These priorities are Research, Control, and Implementation. We will hold future meetings to discuss these priorities.
Mark your calendars for this event which will feature expert speakers, small group working sessions, and lunch!
Everyone with a stake in the prevention of aquatic invasive species is encouraged to attend – from agency to private industry to the regular citizen. We want to hear from anyone interested in providing good input.
Cost of the workshop is free, but please RSVP so we have enough food for your lunch!
RSVP to Angelique Edgerton at 715-483-3300 or [email protected].
Workshop Schedule
9:00 – Check-in and refreshments
9:15 – Welcome
9:30 – AIS Strategic Work Plan – what is it, why we’re doing it, where we are at in the process
9:45 – Session 1: What makes an aquatic species invasive and what can we do about it? – Dr. Peter Sorensen, U of M
In recent years, the rate at which aquatic invasive species have overrun local aquatic ecosystems has seemingly increased at an alarming rate. Dr. Sorensen will address whether and how this is the case and how we might realistically address it through a combination of societal change and scientific research. Possible outcomes will be discussed as well what might be reasonable expectations.
Dr. Sorensen has been a professor with the University of Minnesota since 1988. His research focuses on fish behavior, olfaction, and physiology. Dr. Sorensen seeks to identify and understand key processes which drive the behavior of fishes and to then apply this knowledge to invasive species control. Currently, the carps are of special interest.
10:15 – Session 2: What’s happening in MN? – April Rust, AIS Training Coordinator, Minnesota DNR
What is happening in MN with aquatic invasive species? April will discuss current programs and policies, getting into what’s new, what has changed, and some of the details we might not know about.
April Rust is the Aquatic Invasive Species Training Coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
10:45 – Break
11:00 – Session 3: UW-Extension A.I.S. Educational Resources – John Haack, Natural Resources Educator, UW-Extension
UW-Extension has several staff and a variety of resources and programs working on AIS education, evaluation and behavior change issues across Wisconsin. John will provide a brief overview of who these people are and what they might bring to our AIS efforts within the St. Croix Basin. In addition John will do a bit of show and tell with a few unique educational tools that may have application to our aquatic invasive species efforts in the St. Croix.
John Haack is the Regional Natural Resources Educator for the University of Wisconsin Extension.
11:30 – Session 4: Educating the public about invasives through geocaching: a classroom citizen science project – Stephanie Francis, Superior Middle School
Stephanie will speak about how to engage students, families, and the general public in invasive species learning through geocaching. Stephanie’s 6th grade class is currently engaged in a classroom citizen science project in which they learn about invasive species in different parts of the world by tapping into the geocaching network.
Stephanie Francis is a 6th grade science teacher at Superior Middle School in Superior WI.
12:00 – Lunch
1:00 – Small Group Working Sessions
We will be using a planning questionnaire as a central tool in our small groups. Get a head start on your ideas by downloading the questionnaire here and reviewing it prior to the workshop: AIS Workshop Planning Questions (pdf)
3:00 – Concluding Remarks
RSVP to Angelique Edgerton at 715-483-3300 or [email protected].
As mentioned above, our next three priorities are Research, Control, and Implementation. Dates scheduled for these meetings:
Research – January 28, 2015 from 10:00 to 12:00 (location TBD)
Control – March 4, 2015 from 10:00 to 12:00 (location TBD)
Implementation – April 9, 2015 from 10:00 to 12:00 (location TBD)
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By downloading the questionnaire, here’s what you find is on their minds.
“For each of the following categories, what activities would you like to see added, continued, or expanded?
Laws, rules, and regulations
Inventory and monitoring
Access point and landing activities or requirements
Other:
Remember, this is for a river that’s well documented showing the zebs are on a decline.
Less then 20 Asian Carp have been found on ALL MN waters since the ’90’s.
How about changing the question to ask “what AIS activities would we like to see eliminated?”
The sad truth is there won’t be any anglers/boaters there to voice their concerns/opinions.
It’s another meeting during the work week where only paid, agenda driven people will show up.
These people aren’t looking out for us, if there wasn’t a AIS crisis, they wouldn’t have a job.