June 24, 2019
Duluth, Minnesota – Aquatic invasive species across the Great Lakes will get the blitz this summer. Partners at hundreds of water access sites throughout the region will be participating in an AIS Landing Blitz from June 28 to July 7 designed to inform boaters and others of the risks of introducing and spreading aquatic invasive species.
Minnesota is hosting Landing Blitz activities at the following five locations, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., on June 30, 2019.
- Munger Landing, Duluth
- Rices Point Landing, Duluth (*hosted by 1854 Treaty Authority)
- Agate Bay Boat Launch, Two Harbors
- Beaver House, Grand Marais
- HooDoo Point North, Tower
Volunteers, along with paid inspectors, will be partnering with state and provincial agencies at boat launches to demonstrate procedures used to prevent the spread of AIS and ways to identify AIS. They will also have information about the protocols for reporting an AIS discovery and local AIS laws and regulations.
While similar events have been hosted by individual states and provinces in previous years, organizers say this is the first time that all of the Great Lakes states and provinces are involved and coordinating efforts to maximize the event’s effect.
The event is an opportunity to work directly with boaters and deliver a coordinated, regional message about the importance of AIS prevention during the busiest boating weekends of the year.
“Working with local communities and volunteers will be key to the success of the event, said Doug Jensen, Minnesota Sea Grant AIS program coordinator.
The community members who are taking time out of their day to participate demonstrates that it takes efforts by everyone to help protect lakes and rivers from the unwanted impacts of invasive species.
For more information on the AIS Landing Blitz, including educational materials, location, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.glc.org/blitz.
The 2019 Great Lakes AIS Landing Blitz is a multi-agency partnership effort. In Minnesota, Great Lakes Regional AIS Landing Blitz partners include Minnesota Sea Grant, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Watercraft Inspection and Law Enforcement Programs, Wildlife Forever, North St. Louis County Soil and Water Conservation District, Lake Vermilion Association, Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District AIS Program, 1854 Treaty Authority, Cook County AIS Program, and University of Minnesota Extension AIS Detectors Program.
For more information contact: Landing Blitz website or Doug Jensen, 218-726-8712,