Aquatic Invasive Species Presentations

Learn more about current AIS research, as well as management, control and prevention programs by having MCWD come to your organization or group. Check our AIS events page to see what events or trainings are happening.

Opportunities for Educators

We are available to come to classrooms and talk about AIS. We can also arrange to meet school groups at a lake or stream. These opportunities fill up quickly, so we urge you to contact our Education Manager early.

These websites also provide resources for exploring the topic:

• Nab the Aquatic Invader: an interactive website to teach students about regionally specific invasive species
• K-12 education resources

If you own an aquarium or water garden — what do you do with unwanted aquarium pets and plants? Never release them into the wild!

Many of us may have disposed of unwanted aquarium fish, plants, snails, crayfish, frogs, or turtles by releasing them into local waters, flushing them down the toilet, or maybe allowing them to escape. It seems simple and kindhearted, but these are inappropriate actions and there are better solutions.

Release or escape of fish and plants from aquariums and water gardens can harm Minnesota waters and native species. Besides not being good for our lakes and rivers, it is illegal in Minnesota. Aquarium fish can carry diseases that can kill native fish. Invasive plants can clog waterways and snag boat propellers. Recent examples of releases in Minnesota include: piranha, pacu, water hyacinth, water lettuce, Amazonian catfish, koi, goldfish, yellow iris, even a cayman!

Getting a Habitattitude will help provide some alternatives to releasing pets or aquatic plants into the wild.

Information provided by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 

The MCWD is regularly communicating with its residents and communities about AIS threats, solutions and opportunities. Click Read More to view recent AIS-related news releases. 

Summary

The 2012 MN AIS Symposium was an enriching and inspiring time. About 230 people showed up over the two-day event to hear national AIS experts discuss the latest in research and policy. We heard from technical experts, lawyers, professors, key state legislators and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. As usual, it wouldn't have been possible without broad partnership or the passion among Minnesotans for proecting our water resources. 

Day one featured experts on aquatic invasive plant management. John Madsen (Mississippi State University), Mike Netherland (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), John Rodgers (Clemson University), Don Stubbs (U.S. EPA) and Eric Dibble (Mississippi State University) all appeared on behalf of the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation, one of the Symposium's sponsors.

The audience received an update on the status of invasive aquatic plant control from Chip Welling of the Minnesota DNR. Over lunch, several key state legislators -- Rep. Denny McNamara, Rep. Jean Wagenius and Rep. Paul Torkelson -- discussed legislative activity affecting water quality. A panel of experts discussed non-chemical plant control methods, and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar gave concluding remarks that included discussion on her efforts to address Asian Carp.   

A 25-minute overview of the threats and possible solutions regarding aquatic invasive species in Minnesota (produced by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources). 

MCWD's four-page AIS fact sheet lists invasive species in the District, the most threatening species not yet here, and ways to prevent the spread. You are welcome to read, download, print and/or distribute the sheet. 

Download