The University of Minnesota Extension Office is offering a statewide volunteer event for Minnesotans interested in identifying invasive species in area lakes.
"Starry Trek" is Saturday, Aug. 8, with counties across Minnesota hosting events to search for starry stonewort and other invaders in local waterbodies.
Starry stonewort is an invasive alga that was first found in Lake Koronis in central Minnesota in 2015, and has since spread to more than 30 Minnesota lakes.
Conservation districts and counties will host Northern Minnesota events in Aitkin, Baudette, Bemidji, Detroit Lakes, Ely, Grand Rapids, Lake George, Longville and Marcell.
Volunteers will meet at the local training site where they will receive a brief training on identifying starry stonewort and other targeted invasive species. Groups will then drive to nearby priority lakes in search of samples, and return any suspicious organisms.
Registration is required, with more information at the U of M Extension website.
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