A message from Bill Grantges, our local AIS coordinator:

"We need all the volunteers we can get to help look for Starry stonewort that morning. We provide all the training and equipment. I am short staffed that day and need a team lead. I usually have 2 base locations, Grand Rapids and Marcell. My usual guy for leading the Grand Rapids group will be out of state that day. Please consider coming out that day for 4 hours to help search for Starry stonewort, and Chinese mystery snails. "

Link to press release "Starry Stonewort confirmed in Pokegama Lake" https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/2024/06/07/starry-stonewort-confirmed-pokegama-lake-itasca-county

 With the news that Pokegama Lake now has Starry Stonewort and at the current AIS staffing levels, Bill Grantges (Itasca County AIS Coordinator) is facing a budget shortfall in July and inadequate staff to cover all the high priority landings at the same time. 

We need volunteer inspectors to supplement the paid staff, so consider this program!

Let's get the word out at the boat accesses to educate the boaters about AIS. Click Read More to learn more about how you can help!

Monitoring for invasive species means navigating a paradox. The best time to find new invasives is "as early as possible," when control or eradication is more feasible. However, this is also when the species will be hardest to find.

Lakefront properties offer an opportunity to relax and enjoy recreation on the lake. Whether it's taking a child fishing for the first time, learning to swim, enjoying a sunset over the water, or spending time with family and friends, lakefront properties are where memories are made. Separate articles or entire publication now available in print or electronic format.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) today announced a new initiative to monitor water quality throughout the entire Mississippi River within Minnesota's borders for the first time in a single year.