Aquatic Invasive Species Campaigns

Logos of Habitattitude, Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers, and CD3

Minnesota Sea Grant supports and cross-promotes several regional and national campaigns designed to slow the spread of aquatic invasive species. Campaigns include Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Habitattitude, and Clean-Drain-Dry-Dispose CD3

For more information about these campaigns contact the Minnesota Sea Grant program staff member listed below.

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What are aquatic invasive species?

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are non-native plants, animals, and pathogens that live primarily in water. AIS tend to thrive in new environments, cause and/or contribute to economic loss as a result of environmental damage and harm to human health.

Project description

Minnesota Sea Grant's support of aquatic invasive species (AIS) campaigns help encourage statewide cooperation of citizens, recreationalists, tourism industries, businesses, and agencies to reduce and slow the spread of AIS. With 15,000 lakes, thousands of miles of rivers and streams, and acres of wetlands to protect, Minnesotans recognize the importance of acting to prevent and slow the spread of the state's current and potential AIS.

Why Minnesota Sea Grant?

Minnesota Sea Grant's support and promotion of regional and nationwide programs to slow and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) support Sea Grant's mission to enhance the practical use and conservation of coastal, marine and Great Lakes resources in order to create a sustainable economy and environment.

What have we done lately?

2020 November. The virtual Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference held in early November 2020 attracted more than 1,000 registrants in what they report is the largest crowd for an invasive species conference. Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG) was a conference sponsor, and Extension Educator Doug Jensen co-chaired the conference, hosted an exhibit and presented. MNSG undergraduate interns Alyssa Hagemeyer and Anna Peterson presented posters based on their aquatic invasive species (AIS) outreach activities that were funded by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the St. Louis County AIS Program.

Participants & audience

Minnesota Sea Grant seeks to inform, educate, and foster behaviors among Minnesotans to slow and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS).

Funding

Minnesota Sea Grant's support and promotion of regional and nationwide aquatic invasive species campaigns is supported by grants. Past support has come from the EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Program Staff

John Downing headshot

John A. Downing

Director

Partners

  • University of Minnesota, Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center, Academic Institution (College and University)
  • 1854 Treaty Authority, Tribal Government
  • Invasive Plant Association of Wisconsin, NGO
  • Lake County, Minnesota, Soil and Water Conservation District, State/Local Government
  • Midwest Invasive Plant Network, NGO
  • Minnesota Aquarium Society, NGO
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Invasive Species Program, State/Local Government
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Statewide Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Committee, State/Local Government
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Watercraft Inspection Program, State/Local Government
  • Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council, State/Local Government
  • St. Louis County, Minnesota, Aquatic Invasive Species Program, State/Local Government
  • U.S. Forest Service, Federal Government
  • University of Minnesota, Extension, Academic Institution (College and University)
  • University of Minnesota, Duluth, Natural Resources Research Institute, Academic Institution (College and University)
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, Federal Government
  • Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, Federal Government
  • Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, NGO
  • Great Lakes Commission, Blue Accounting Aquatic Invasive Species Work Group, Regional Government
  • Cook County, Minnesota, Soil and Water Conservation District, State/Local Government
  • Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species, Regional Government
  • Minnesota Department of Aqriculture, State/Local Government
  • National Park Service, Voyageurs National Park, Federal Government
  • Quetico Provincial Park, International Government
  • Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed, NGO
  • Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters, NGO
  • St. Louis County, Minnesota, Planning and Community Development, State/Local Government
  • University of Minnesota, Crookston, International Programs, Academic Institution (College and University)
  • University of Minnesota, Duluth, Study Abroad - International Programs and Services, Academic Institution (College and University)
  • University of Minnesota, Morris, Study Abroad Program, Academic Institution (College and University)
  • University of Minnesota, College of Food, Agriculture and National Resources, Academic Institution (College and University)
  • University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, Academic Institution (College and University)
  • University of Minnesota, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, Academic Institution (College and University)
  • University of Minnesota, Department of Engineering and Aerospace, Academic Institution (College and University)
  • University of Minnesota, Department of Entomology, Academic Institution (College and University)
  • University of Minnesota, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Academic Institution (College and University)
  • University of Minnesota, Department of Forest Resources, Academic Institution (College and University)
  • University of Minnesota, Department of Psychology, Academic Institution (College and University)
  • University of Minnesota, Extension Global Initiatives, Academic Institution (College and University)
  • University of Minnesota, Landscape Arboretum, Academic Institution (College and University)
  • University of Minnesota, Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center, Academic Institution (College and University)

Media Mentions