DNR Dog Trained to Sniff Out Zebra Mussels Demo Featured at Next Week’s Event
AQUATIC INVADERS SUMMIT II OCTOBER 5-6 IN ST CLOUD FEATURES 25+ EXPERTS ON TOPICS RANGING FROM ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS TO LOCAL SUCCESS STORIES — AND CONTROVERSIAL GENE DRIVE SOLUTION TO CONTROL AIS
WHAT
Minnesota DNR Lt. Jason Beckman and Conservation Officer Julie Siems will demonstrate another new tool in the fight against Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) — a dog that sniffs out Zebra Mussels on a boat — during the Aquatic Invaders Summit II next week in St. Cloud (See dog demo time next Thursday below*).
The zebra mussels-sniffing dog demo is just one of more than 25 timely presentations from regional scientists, international experts, concerned resort and marina owners, anglers, and others concerned about AIS — including a new invader, Starry Stonewort, found recently and spreading, plus a discussion about a controversial gene drive technology to prevent future infestation.
WHO
At the Minnesota State Fair recently, Governor Dayton urged citizens to take a pledge to become “Water Stewards” to help meet the growing demands of protecting Minnesota’s most valuable natural resources—its waters — including the state’s $12.5 billion tourism industry, including the $2.8 billion generated by anglers and related businesses.
The AIS Summit is supported, in part, with funds from the Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Council as recommended by the Minnesota Legislature.
It is presented and co-hosted by Don Hickman, Vice President for Community and Workforce Development at The Initiative Foundation and Jeff Forester, Executive Director of Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates, with numerous other state and non-profit associations and organizations.
WHEN/WHERE
Wednesday and Thursday — October 5-6 at the St. Cloud’s River’s Edge Convention Center.
*Zebra Mussels-sniffing dog demos is October 6 from 10:30-11:45 — with an outdoor demonstration with a boat just outside the Convention Center main doors at about 11:50 a.m.
WHY
“Aquatic invasive species threaten the quality of our water resources. Starry Stonewort alone, discovered last year, has the potential to severely impact Minnesota’s $2.8 billion angling economy, particularly bass and panfish angling,” says Jeff Forester.
“With an annual appropriation of $10 million from the legislature In 2014, Minnesota launched innovative — and locally based — county solutions to the AIS problem that are now having a huge impact,” he adds.
“However, no government entity, no organization, no business can solve the problem alone. Minnesota simply has too many lakes, too many rivers, too many boats. But the summit will show where statewide collaboration, citizen and government input and state-of-the-science discussions will give us a better sense of what we need to do to protect Minnesota’s water resources.”
LINKS
- For a full schedule and list of speakers, please visit: http://aissummit.mnlakesandrivers.org/
- Summit registration at: http://aissummit.mnlakesandrivers.org/registration
