AIS grant supports citizen volunteers managing purple loosestrife

Native plants re-introduced as part of purple loosestrife management program

In July 2008, volunteers came together to accomplish the first of its kind native plant restoration at Kohler Andrea State Park (KASP). This effort is the latest development in a program called “Beetle Mania” that is advancing effective biological control techniques to manage the invasive species Purple Loosestrife. Cooperative volunteer efforts are partially funded by DNR’s  AIS grant program.

One-hundred thirty native plants that once flourished in the KASP wetland were re-introduced. The re-introduced native species will be studied to determine if the native plants can better compete for space now that the purple loosestrife is diminished and controlled by purple loosestrife predator beetles. Native selections included Blue Vervain, Red Milkweed, Joe Pye Weed, Steeplebush, and Queen of the Prairie. The most successful natives will then be considered for restorations at other purple loosestrife sites being controlled biologically.

“Beetle Mania” is a citizen volunteer program taking place in the tri-county area that includes Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Calumet Counties. Biological control beetles are locally raised, then released, to help increase effective and economical control populations. The beetles, called Galeracella (or “Cella” for short), only eat purple loosestrife and efficiently control existing PL stands and its aggressive domination. Cella beetles have been proven to have no adverse effects on other species and harbor successfully outdoors over the winter. Cella populations are further controlled by birds, insects, spiders and starvation.

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AIS grant helps engage students in AIS, lake learning

In April 2006, the Town of Washington Water Resources Task Force, Butternut-Franklin Lakes Foundation, and Kentuck Lake District initiated an educational outreach project to provide a Clean Boats, Clean Waters (CBCW) training opportunity, at no cost, for folks in the town and residents of the two partner lakes. The project—made possible through a DNR AIS grant—included a youth education outreach component.

Northland Pines High School in Eagle River agreed to participate in the CBCW program and provide students with an environmental education experience. Vilas County Lakes Specialist Carolyn Scholl agreed to teach basic lake ecology and concepts of invasive aquatic species in two honors classes, in an attempt to interest students in CBCW training, which would prepare the youth for working with lake groups.

An alternative effort to involve students in concepts of lake/stream ecology and invasive aquatic species was made the following fall. Carolyn Scholl gave the students a one hour classroom overview of basic lake and stream ecology and concepts of AIS. Then immediately before a scheduled field trip, Rollie Alger discussed "research protocol 101:" define the problem, make a hypothesis, methodology and data collection, data analyses, development of a conclusion. Students were then taken to an ongoing research project, which was determining how Eurasian water milfoil might be entering a lake system.

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Barnes' community solution to EWM

Since the discovery of Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) in 2004, a team of volunteers, community organizations and town officials— the EWM Ad Hoc Committee—has rallied to produce a comprehensive plan to not only address concerns about EWM in these two lakes, but to monitor another 25 lakes in the region.

They consulted with the DNR in devising a plan to contain and treat EWM in the two lakes, and adopted guidelines to address concerns of its spread. The town of Barnes applied for an Aquatic Invasive Species grant and was awarded $22,000 by the DNR in 2005.

A coordinator was hired to facilitate the project and direct volunteer support. Two aquatic plant surveyors were subsequently hired and many volunteers were recruited to conduct surveys of the area lakes. The plan included watercraft inspection through the Clean Boats Clean Waters program on all lakes with public access; an information and education campaign on the threat of EWM and what the public can do about it; and three comprehensive aquatic plant surveys on 27 lakes in the towns of Barnes, Highland and Gordon in Bayfield and Douglas counties.

Volunteers logged over 500 hours educating over 3,500 boaters on the spread of EWM while checking more than 1,000 boats at 27 landings. Large signs and information boxes on the dangers of EWM were installed at boat landings, and information was distributed at community gatherings. Exhaustive plant surveys were conducted in June, July and August on the 27 area lakes. All in all, over 2,500 hours were donated by volunteers on this project.

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7000 opportunities to reach boaters

Three Lakes Waterfront Association’s vigilance protects Lakes

In March 2005, Three Lakes Waterfront Association was awarded an Aquatic Invasive Species grant for boat inspections, education and rapid response efforts in combating aquatic invasive species. The Association has since developed an extensive volunteer watercraft inspection program using the Clean Boats, Clean Waters program guidelines. Their goal is to monitor landings, perform watercraft inspections and distribute 7,000 educational packets to boaters from fishing opener to Labor Day weekend.

To fully achieve their goal, over 6,800 hours will be required by trained volunteers. More than 90 volunteers stepped forward to assist with boat landings inspections. Part of the educational message includes distributing a packet of information about aquatic invasive species, a map of the Three Lakes Chain and directions for boaters to collect and report any suspect plants.

"Adopt-A-Shoreline" is another proactive measure the Association is promoting in combating Eurasian water milfoil. This program trains property owners to recognize any unusual plant changes along the shoreline. Volunteers walk, float, or boat along the shoreline every 2 weeks looking for any suspicious floating or growing plants.

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Volunteers battle invasive species

The first segment of Eurasian water milfoil (EWM) was found floating at the public landing between Twin Bear and Hart Lakes by a young volunteer in the summer of 2004. That provided the necessary impetus for the small, newly formed Delta Area Lakes Association to take action.

In the winter of 2005, an aquatic invasive species (AIS) grant, sponsored by the small hamlet of Delta, was awarded to cover two boat landings, one on the Pike Chain and the other on the Delta Chain.  By June, EWM became more prevalent, especially as more fragments were found on boats and floating ashore at the landing on the Pike Chain. The decision was made to concentrate our efforts on containment.

After lengthy discussions among DNR specialists, Iron River Lake Association members, adjacent town boards, the County Board, and concerned citizens, an Early Detection/Rapid Response Grant was applied for in June, and sixteen acres were treated with 2, 4-D near the Twin Bear boat landing. The results were promising.  The next step involves developing a long term comprehensive plan.

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