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Citizen Scientists Needed to Combat Aquatic Invasive Species

https://www.maisrc.umn.edu/ais-detector
Aquatic Invasive Species

Are you looking for a way to get involved in your community?  Sometimes that might mean being an usher at your church or working at the food shelf or hosting a program on KAXE/KBXE.  If you are a scientist, there is a new program that could use your help in combating Aquatic Invasive Species like zebra mussels, starry stonewort and others.

Workshops will be held in Grand Rapids on June 2, Bemidji on June 9, and Brainerd of June 16. The online course must be completed beforehand. A recently certified AIS Detector said, "the training went really well, I really enjoyed it, and I’m excited to be a part of the program!"

– Registration is now open for AIS Detectors, a new volunteer network and science-based training program launched by the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center in partnership with University of Minnesota Extension. Participants will learn how to properly identify and report new findings of aquatic invasive species such as starry stonewort, zebra mussels, round goby, and others. After being trained, AIS Detectors will serve a critical role by helping the DNR respond to reports of possible AIS, weeding out false positives, being on the lookout for new infestations, and providing outreach to their communities.

Heidi Holtan is KAXE's Director of Content and Public Affairs where she manages producers and is the local host of Morning Edition from NPR. Heidi is a regional correspondent for WDSE/WRPT's Duluth Public Television’s Almanac North.