Wisconsins Aquatic Invasive Species Partnership

Presented by: Bob Wakeman

Wisconsins AIS Statewide Coordinator

UMISC October 30, 2012

Agenda

The Partnership

Agenda

The Partnership Partner Talents

Agenda

The Partnership Partner Talents Programs

Agenda

The Partnership Partner Talents Programs Outputs

Agenda

The Partnership Partner Talents Programs Outputs Future

Partners in the old days!

WDNR

Wisconsin Associationof LakesUW - Extension

Partners today!

WDNR

Nonprofit ConservationOrganizationsTribes (GLIFWC)

County/Municipalities

UW System

Federal Partners

Partners WDNR

Nonprofit Conservation Organizations

Tribes

Counties & Municipalities

UW System

Federal Partners

Partners WDNR

Nonprofit Conservation Organizations

Tribes

Counties & Municipalities

UW System

Federal Partners

Lakes and Wetlands

Science Services

Fish Management

Law Enforcement

Partners WDNR

Nonprofit Conservation Organizations

Tribes

Counties & Municipalities

UW System

Federal Partners

Wisconsin Lakes

River Alliance of Wisconsin

Wisconsin Wetlands Association

Beaver Creek Preserve, etc.

National Professional Anglers Association

Partners WDNR

Nonprofit Conservation Organizations

Tribes

Counties & Municipalities

UW System

Federal Partners

GLIFWC

Partners WDNR

Nonprofit Conservation Organizations

Tribes

Counties & Municipalities

UW System

Federal Partners

47 Counties

Town Boards

Cities, Villages

Partners WDNR

Nonprofit Conservation Organizations

Tribes

Counties & Municipalities

UW System

Federal Partners

UW - Extension

UW Sea Grant

UW Center for Limnology UW Life Science and Communication

UW Oshkosh

Partners WDNR

Nonprofit Conservation Organizations

Tribes

Counties & Municipalities

UW System

Federal Partners

US Fish and Wildlife Service

US Geological Survey

US Army Corps of Engineers US Env. Protection Agency

Partners WDNR

Nonprofit Conservation Organizations

Tribes

Counties & Municipalities

UW System

Federal Partners

Lakes and Wetlands

Wisconsin Lakes

GLIFWC 47 Counties

UW - Extension

US Fish and Wildlife Service

Science Services

River Alliance of Wisconsin

Town Boards

UW Sea Grant

US Geological Survey

Fish Management

Wisconsin Wetlands Association

Cities, Villages

UW Center for Limnology

US Army Corps of Engineers

Law Enforcement

Beaver Creek Preserve, etc.

UW Life Science and Communication

US Env. Protection Agency

National Professional Anglers Association

UW Oshkosh

Partner Talents

Science Citizens

Education

Science Partners

Citizen Partners

Education Partners

Programs

WI Water Guard

PresenterPresentation NotesThe message here is we are taking this very seriously and expect the public to do so as well.

Clean Boats, Clean Waters volunteers trained to monitor local lakes DNR inspection program staff monitor high traffic landings, lakes with invasive species

Water Guard

Watercraft Inspection

PresenterPresentation NotesWatercraft inspection has proven to be the single most important source of AIS information to boaters. The Department relies upon volunteers, paid staff and law enforcement staff to educate boaters about AIS prevention measures.

Wisconsin sells the 2nd highest number of out of state fishing licenses,in the country, which means we are a destination state for anglers. This means we need to be extra vigilant with boaters and anglers coming from other states since they could be carriers of AIS beyond out boundaries.

In 2009, 40,000 boats were inspected and 87,000 boaters were talked to about the importance of preventing the spread of AIS. 70% of the states public boat launches with at least 1 AIS was visited by watercraft inspectors.

We are planning on conducting a statewide landing blitz this summer to educate boaters and enforce the laws.

The Water Guard adds a whole new image to this work.

Trained volunteers collect data on lake health including aquatic invasives

Data used to map extent of spread for species

Volunteer Monitoring

PresenterPresentation NotesVolunteer monitoring has been a steadily growing portion of our AIS Partnership. Over 1,000 volunteers are currently located at over 800 lakes in the state.

These volunteers often are the first to observe an AIS.

If your interested in becoming a Citizen Lake Monitoring volunteer please contact Laura Herman (contact infor at end of presentation), we need more volunteers and would appreciate your participation.

Trained volunteers raise & release beetles Beetles available for freegreat school or

family project

Purple Loosestrife Biological Control

PresenterPresentation NotesPurple Loosestrife Biocontrol

-DNR-UWEX partnership

-citizen based project uses safe, highly tested beetles that feed on purple loosestrife to control populations

-volunteers can raise and release beetles into local wetlands

-a great success storyone of our only examples of long-term non-chemical control, and great way for citizens to get involved

Aquatic Invasive Species Grants

Typical Grant Funding Cycle

$4 million available annually

PresenterPresentation NotesAIS grants enable the Department to partner with local effort to help educate, prevent the spread, control invasions and respond quickly to AIS infestations.

Approximately $4 million is available annually. There are two grant cycles each year (Feb and August).

Your SE contact is Heidi Bunk

One of your northern contacts is Kevin Gatherier

The statewide coordinator is Carrol Schaal

UW Madison Center for Limnology developing Smart Prevention model

Model helps DNR make strategic management decisions

ACOE conducting research on low level chemical treatments for

EWM Community based market research

From Research to Management

PresenterPresentation NotesResearch

-DNR provides a small amount of funding to the UW Madison Center for Limnology to understand movement of aquatic invasive species

-Goal is being able to direct prevention and management resources efficiently-Model is based on three questions: Can invader X reach this waterbody? If yes, can it survive and thrive there?If yes, will it impact native species and recreation?

This afternoon we will be holding a AIS Smart Prevention Forum to train individuals which may want to implement this in their area.

Preventing the spread

VHS (viral hemorhagic septicemia) 2007 Invasive Species Identification, Classification and

Control (NR 40) 2009 Wisconsin Act 55 (Illegal to transport AIS on

highways) 2009

Wisconsins AIS Laws

PresenterPresentation NotesThe Departments tool box for preventing the spread of AIS now includes laws.

First came the VHS law which made it illegal to transport water or live fish, and established laws for the bait fish industry.

NR 40 recently helped to identify and classify invasive species and Wisconsin Act 55 made it illegal to transport AIS on any highway in the state.

Wisconsin is much further ahead of neighboring states with its ability to take enforcement action or cause control of AIS. Many states rely solely on the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers campaign and dont do anything else.

Outputs Science

400 Wisconsin lakes sampled for AIS between 2011 - 2012

Research leading to better EWM control, zebra mussels and Asian carp

Development of social media tools

No new findings of VHS in the state

Outputs Citizens Citizen Lake Monitoring and Project RED train volunteers to collect data on AIS in the state AIS Citizen Focus Groups help direct AIS outreach program 100,000 boats inspected and 200,000 people educated about AIS at boat launches 4.6 million beetles released on 200 purple loosestrife stands

Outputs Education 170 Cooperator groups trained to raise beetles to fight purple loosestrife in last 2 years Law Enforcement conducted 20 focused education/enforcement events in 2012 Bait shops are targeted by AIS County Coordinators to ask for their participation in educating anglers 500+ volunteers educating boaters about AIS

Outputs Science Citizens Education 400 Wisconsin lakes sampled for AIS between 2011 - 2012

Citizen Lake Monitoring and Project RED train volunteers to collect data on AIS in the state

170 Cooperator groups trained to raise beetles to fight purple loosestrife in last 2 years

Research leading to better EWM control, zebra mussels and Asian carp

AIS Citizen Focus Groups help direct AIS outreach program

Law Enforcement conducted 20 focused education/enforcement events in 2012

Development of social media tools

100,000 boats inspected and 200,000 people educated about AIS at boat launches

Bait shops are targeted by AIS County Coordinators to ask for their participation in educating anglers

No new findings of VHS in the state

4.6 million beetles released on 200 purple loosestrife stands

500+ volunteers educating boaters about AIS

Future

Program evolution Clean Boats Clean Waters Enhancements Law Enforcement Group

Checks New Partners Cooperative Weed

Management Organizations Program Growth Social media

Thanks for

helping

Wisconsins Aquatic Invasive Species PartnershipAgendaAgendaAgendaAgendaAgendaPartners in the old days!Slide Number 8Partners today!PartnersPartnersPartnersPartnersPartnersPartnersPartnersPartnersPartner TalentsScience PartnersCitizen PartnersEducation PartnersProgramsSlide Number 23Watercraft InspectionVolunteer MonitoringPurple Loosestrife Biological ControlAquatic Invasive Species Grants Typical Grant Funding CycleFrom Research to ManagementWisconsins AIS LawsOutputsOutputsOutputsOutputsFutureSlide Number 35