©2016 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
AIS Detectors and
Trackers: WANTED!2016 Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference
October 17-19, 2016
WI DNR (CC BY-ND 2.0) Dave Hansen USGSMegan Weber
Eleanor BurkettExtension Educator, Water Resources
Megan M. WeberExtension Educator, Aquatic Invasive Species
©2016 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Overview of the Programs
Using citizen science to advance AIS response in
Minnesota
Trained observers
– Respond
– Detect
– Report
Advanced training
– Monitor population
change
• Target & Non-Target
– Physical &
Chemical Factors
AIS Detectors AIS Trackers
©2016 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
THE AIS DETECTORS PROGRAM
• Network of trained volunteers
– Core course
• Online training + in-person workshop
– Opportunities for advanced learning
– Annual refreshers
• Respond to AIS sightings
– Helps DNR weed out false positives
• Conduct new detection surveys
• Assist with other AIS outreach and
research projectsChrista Rittberg
©2016 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
AIS DETECTORS: TARGET SPECIES
PlantsEurasian Watermilfoil
Hydrilla
Starry Stonewort
InvertebratesSpiny Waterflea
Rusty Crayfish
Zebra Mussel
Quagga Mussel
FishSilver Carp
Bighead Carp
Ruffe
Round Goby
©2016 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
AIS DETECTORS: REQUIREMENTS
• Complete core course
– Pass competency exam on materials
• Provide 25 hours of volunteer time (annually)
• Take 8 hours of refresher or advanced training (annually)
Megan Weber Megan Weber
Daniel Larkin
©2016 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
AIS DETECTORS: NEW SKILLS
• General aquatic ecology
• AIS in MN
• Identification
– AIS & look alikes
• Rules and Regulations
• Reporting AIS
Paul Skawinski, UW Extension - Lakes
INVASIVE
NATIVE
©2016 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
AIS DETECTORS: NEW SKILLS 2.0
• AIS on the Water
– Advanced AIS
biology/habitat
• Emerging AIS Threats
– Species of concern, not
currently in Minnesota
• New Detection Survey
– New detection survey
protocols
WI DNR (CC BY-ND 2.0)
Denis-Carl Robidoux (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Dave Hansen
©2016 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
AIS DETECTORS: REPORTING SYSTEM
• Uses web-based/mobile reporting system
–Website: www.eddmaps.org/midwest
–App: “Great Lakes Early Detection Network”
©2016 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
AIS DETECTORS: BENEFITS TO MN
• Minnesota has:
– 11,842 lakes (10 acres or more)
– 6,564 rivers and streams
– 10.6 million acres of wetland
– 13,136,357 acres of surface
water
• And….
– 10 DNR AIS Specialists
• Early detection is important– Less than 5% of MN lakes on infested water list
Vidiani.com
©2016 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
THE AIS TRACKERS PROGRAM
• Monitor AIS population changes
– Response to control efforts
• Also monitors….
– Impact to native species
– Chemical and physical properties
– Treatment details
• Data for adaptive management T. Lawrence, GLFC
©2016 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
AIS TRACKERS: REQUIREMENTS
• Complete training
– Online, in-person workshops, and field components
– Pass competency exam
• Mandatory annual volunteer service requirements
• Take 8 hours of refresher or advanced training (annually)
Christa Rittberg
Matt Jacobson Fred Bailey, USGS
©2016 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Dave Hansen
AIS TRACKERS: NEW SKILLS
• Scientific Method
• Aquatic Organism ID
– Broader than Detectors training
• Monitor Population Change
• Monitor Abiotic Factors
• How Data Guides Management
• Advanced: Population Monitoring
– Additional species
MPCA (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Dave Hansen
©2016 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
Government
Agencies!
AIS TRACKERS: BENEFITS TO MN
Researchers!
Stakeholders!
©2016 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
AIS TRACKERS: PRIORITY SPECIES
Christa Rittberg
Eurasian Watermilfoil
Kristian Peters (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Curly-leaf Pondweed
NOAA GLERL
Zebra Mussels
170 Permits Issued (2015)
59% of Total
103 Permits Issued (2015)
35% of Total
94% of IAPM Permits Issued
6 Treatments
(Emerging Technology)
©2016 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
GET INVOLVED!
• AIS Detectors: Training begins 2017
• AIS Trackers: Training begins 2018
©2016 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is available in alternative formats
upon request. Direct requests to [email protected] or 763-767-3836.
Funding for the AIS Detectors and AIS Trackers programs are provided by:
For more information, visit www.maisrc.umn.edu.