Aquatic Nuisance Species Information and Education Small Grants Program Grantees
2005 Grant Recipients
Ann Hruska
Dickinson Conservation District (Applicant)
102 North Hooper Street
Kingsford, MI 49802
906.774.8441
E-Mail: ann.hruska@mi.nacdnet.net
Marilyn Shy
Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (Sponsor)
201 North Mitchell, Suite 204
Cadillac, MI 49601
231.876.0328
E-Mail: marilyn.shy@mi.nacdnet.net
Project Title: AIS Education.
Project Grant Award: $2,500
Project Summary:
Dickinson Conservation District and the Dickinson County Lakes & Streams Coalition seek to expand the Aquatic Invasive Species Education Program begun last year. One summer college intern will be hired to assist Conservation District staff in the coordination of the education program, which will include press releases and newsletters, billboard announcement, training and organizing boat launch educators, various other community outreach programs, and a placemat campaign. A more thorough zebra mussel monitoring program will be conducted, as well as vegetative mapping of Purple Loosestrife and aquatics in/around county lakes that have not been surveyed yet. Residents of Iron County will be mentored in beginning their education program.
Thomas Hamilton
Duck Creek Watershed Assembly (Applicant)
2785 Weesies Road
Montague, MI 49437
231.894.4301
E-mail: hamiltreef@aol.com
Tony Jarvis
Muskegon Conservation District (Sponsor)
1001 E. Wesley Ave, Rm 6
Muskegon, MI 49442
231.773.0008
E-mail: tony.jarvis@macd.org
Project Title: Eurasian Watermilfoil-Weevil Demonstration and Public Outreach Project
Project Grant Award: $1573
Project Summary:
This project is part of a larger exotic species demonstration project and will be used to highlight milfoil control using public education and Integrated Pest Management techniques as key components for success. The outreach/education component for this project will provide educational materials (public presentations, brochures, newsletters, and educational kiosks) for the watershed and Duck Lake recreational users. Materials will include specific information about Eurasian milfoil control plus general information about other nuisance exotics. All non-state generated materials will be approved by the Office of the Great Lakes prior to printing.
Bonnie Hay
Gratiot Lake Conservancy (GLC) (Applicant)
P.O. 310
Mohawk, MI 49950
906.337.5476
E-mail: belh@verizon.net
Project Title: Education to Protect Keweenaw Inland Lakes (particularly Gratiot Lake) from AIS
Project Grant Award: $509
Project Summary:
The project will alert Keweenaw anglers and boaters to the dangers AIS pose to Gratiot Lake and other Keweenaw lakes and to inform them about routines they can implement to prevent accidental introduction of AIS by:
- Disseminating materials provided by Michigan Sea Grant to bait shops and sellers of fishing tackle and boating supplies in the Keweenaw Peninsula;
- Distributing fliers and/or brochures on AIS identification and safe removal procedures to anglers participating in a local tournament;
- Posting more effective AIS signage at the Gratiot Lake public boat launch; and
- Publishing information on AIS in our newsletter and on our website.
Lisha Ramsdell
Huron Pines Resource Conserv & Development Area Council (Applicant)
501 Norway St.
Grayling, MI 49738
989.348.9319
E-mail: lisha@huronpines.org
Project Title: Fletcher Pond: Reducing the spread of Eurasian watermilfoil through boater education.
Project Grant Award: $2440
Project Summary:
An informational kiosk with be placed at the Flether Pond public boat launch and literature on invasive species will be distributed at local resorts, through newspaper inserts and at the launch site.
Colleen Masterson
Inland Seas Education Association (Applicant)
PO Box 218
Suttons Bay, MI 49682-0218
231.271.3077
E-mail: cmasterson@GreatlakesEducation.org
Project Title: "Aquatic Invaders!" Workshops for the Public at Inland Seas Education Center
Project Grant Award: $2475
Project Summary:
The project will develop a half-day "Aquatic Invaders!" workshop for the public to learn about aquatic invasive species (AIS) in an entertaining and informative, hands-on environment for the entire family. Participants will learn practical steps they can take in their own lives to help prevent the introduction and spread of AIS, and they will be encouraged to share this information with family, friends and neighbors in their own communities following the workshop. The workshop will be offered in the Inland Seas Education Center three times in 2005, and will become a vital component of ISEA's annual Invasive Species Education Project.
Bob Gussert
Iron County Conservation District (Applicant)
2 South 6th St, Ste 15
Crystal Falls, MI 49920
906.875.3765
E-mail: bob.gussert@macd.org
Project Title: Iron County Exotic Species Awareness Program
Project Award Grant: $2500
Project Summary:
The project will 1) increase public awareness of Aquatic Nuisance Species through individual boater contact, distribution of educational materials, posting of signs, public meetings and newspaper/radio ads; 2) conduct a survey of all lakes in Iron County with public access sites and determine which lakes have AIS issues; 3) assist riparian owners/lake associations with how to best deal with nuisance species if found; and 4) further build partners so that the program can remain active in the future.
Elizabeth LaPorte
Michigan Sea Grant College Program (Applicant)
401 E. Liberty, Ste. 330, TCF Bldg.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103-2298
734.647.0767
elzblap@umich.edu
Project Title: Great Lakes Most Unwanted Aquatic Invasive Species: A Classroom Poster Series
Project Grant Award: $2500
Project Summary:
A series of posters designed for young audiences and incorporating key facts about the top 10 Great Lakes aquatic invasive species will be printed. The posters will be used in partnership with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality at AIS Awareness Week and throughout the Great Lakes in various educational programs.
Pam Schmidt, Science Education Consultant (Applicant)
P.O. Box 1065
Leland, MI 49654
231.256.8855
E-mail: plschmid@@mtu.edu
Shawn Oppliger
Western U.P. Center for Science, Mathematics & Environment (Sponsor)
P.O. Box 270
Hancock, MI 49930
906.482.0331
E-mail: shawn@copperisd.org
Project Title: Invasive Species fact cards for Michigan Upper Elementary & Middle School Students
Project Grant Award: $2500
Project Summary:
The project will develop, publish and disseminate aquatic invasive species fact cards targeting children grades 4-9 in Michigan. The project will be coordinated by Pam Schmidt. At least 600 grades 4-6 teachers will be trained to use the CMEEI Ecosystem Unit and supplementary Invasive Species Compendium (with related lessons and card set). Cards will be produced based on existing materials, be approved with the Office of the Great Lakes and Michigan Sea Grant before production and undistributed sets will be given to the Office of the Great Lakes for distribution.
2004 Grant Recipients
Dickinson Conservation District (Applicant)
Ann Hruska
102 North Hooper Street
Kingsford, MI 49802
906-774-8441
ann.hruska@mi.navdnet.org
Project Title: Slowing the Spread: Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Boater Education in Dickinson County
Grant Award: $1,650
Project Summary: Students, volunteers, the Dickinson Conservation District, and Dickinson Lakes & Streams Coalition will implement a program for public education in Dickinson County for public education regarding a growing Eurasian Milfoil and Zebra Mussel problem in area waters. The project work includes placing signage at boat landings, media events, pamphlets, direct public interaction, boat cleaning demonstrations, and community presentations.
Glen Lake Association
Ernest Litch
8282 S. Dunns Farm Road
Maple City, MI 49664
231-334-3612
Email: ew19@aol.com
Project Title: Glen Lake Powerwash and Education Program to Prevent Nuisance Species Infestation
Grant Award: $2,500
Project Summary: The Glen Lake Association will continue to operate its boat spray and boater education operation at the Glen Lake DNR boat launch. Funds will be utilized to fund the student educators.
Inland Seas Education Association
Colleen Masterson
PO Box 218
Suttons Bay, MI 49682-0218
231-271-3077
cmasterson@GreatlakesEducation.org
Project Title: ANS Field Course for Michigan Media Professionals
Grant Award: $2,450
Project Summary: ISEA will engage 25 media professionals (radio, television, newspaper, and magazine) from throughout the state of Michigan in a day-long educational experience based on preventing the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species in the Great Lakes Basin. The program will include workshop and laboratory activities at the Inland Seas Education Center, followed by hands-on field sampling aboard the schooner Inland Seas.
Isle Royale Natural History Association
Jill Burkland
800 E. Lakeshore Drive
Houghton, MI 49931
906-482-7860
jburkland@irnha.org
Project Title: Aquatic Invaders: Stop the Spread and Spread the Word
Grant Award: $2,500
Project Summary: The project will produce and distribute a brochure "aquatic Invaders: Stop the Spread & Spread the Word" about aquatic nuisance species within Isle Royale National Park boundaries-both in Lake Superior and inland waters. The audience will be Isle Royale visitors, specifically motor boaters, canoeists, kayakers, anglers, and divers. The brochure will explain the special nature of Isle Royale's protected waters and the native species that live there. It will describe nuisance species already at Isle Royale and those threatening island waters, and explain the potential consequences of invasions by these species. The brochure will list steps that visitors can take to stop their spread to Isle Royale, help NPS monitor these species, and help educate the public.
Michigan Association of Conservation Districts
Christine Roman
201 N Mitchell St, Ste 301
Cadillac, MI 49601-1859
231-876-0384
envirochri@aol.com
Project Title: Addressing Aquatic Nuisance Species through Conservation Districts
Grant Award: $1,500
Project Summary: A training session for all Conservation District employees will be offered in September 2004, brochures will be distributed to the districts, which will then disburse them to walk-in customers, and as handouts during presentations. A press release will also be drafted to inform the public about ANS issues.
Michigan United Conservation Clubs
Amanda Hathaway
2101 Wood Street
Lansing, MI 48912-3785
517-371-1041
ahathaway@mucc.org
Project Title: Educating Recreational Boaters to Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species
Grant Award: $2,272
Project Summary: The project will produce a three-minute segment on preventing the spread of aquatic nuisance species to air on Michigan Out-of-Doors. A 30-second public service announcement for distribution to all Michigan public television stations will also be created. The segment and PSA as well as ANS educational materials will be distributed to 100 of MUCC's affiliated clubs who will in turn educate their members.
Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition
Tom Church
E21935 Crooked Lake Road
Watersmeet, MI 49969
906-358-4171
Project Title: Sylvania Project - Aquatic Nuisance Species Education and Control
Grant Award: $2,500
Project Summary: The project will target the user groups of the Sylvania Wilderness and Perimeter Area to provide educational information and introduce control techniques as well as control services in collaboration with local businesses, the U.S. Forest Service and the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition. The project will provide additional staffing during peak periods of user entry as well as key times when the Sylvania entry station is not staffed.
Watershed Center of Grand Traverse Bay
Anne Brasie
232 East Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
231-935-1514
abrasie@gtbay.org
Project Title: Baykeeper Outreach Tour - Boater Education Project
Grant Award: $2,000
Project Summary: The project will create a boater education brochure about their role in controlling the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species and outline clean boating practices for fueling and waste disposal. This brochure will be based on the content available on the website: http://www.protectyourwaters.net/prevention/user_boaters.php. The information will be distributed to boaters on the Grand Traverse Baykeeper Outreach Tour at area marinas and workshops.
Previous Grant Recipients
Glen Lake Association
Ernest Litch
8282 S. Dunns Farm Road
Maple City, MI 49664
231-334-3612
Email: ew19@aol.com
Project Title: Glen Lake Boat Spray Program to Prevent Zebra Mussel/Eurasian watermilfoil Infestation
Grant Award: $2500
Project Summary:
The Glen Lake Association operates a boat spray operation (for the principal purpose of prevention of Zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil) at our Glen Lake DNR boat launch. The Association wishes to augment the cost of this program and expand our education and information activities at the boat launch during the spray and survey operation. As indicated by an aquatic plant survey conducted in 2002, no Eurasion watermilfoil is present. Latest test site observations, using concrete blocks as substrate surfaces, show no Zebra mussels. Our intent is to prevent both in the future.
Huron Pines Resource Conservation & Development Area Council
Brad Jensen
501 Norway St.
Grayling, MI 49738
989-348-9319
Email: brad@huronpines.org
Project Title: Natural Predation of Eurasion Watermilfoil: Implications for the Great Lakes Region
Grant Award: $2500
Project Summary:
Eurasion watermilfoil is an invasive plant species capable of disrupting aquatic ecosystems and impairing recreational activities. One method of treatment utilized in the Great Lakes Basin is the planting if predatory weevils (Euhrychiopsis lecontei) that feed on the plant In 2002, the US Army Corps of Engineers identified predation of the plant by a natural population of weevils in Higgins Lake. Funding through the ANS program is needed to help determine the natural abundance of these insects, to characterize their impact on EWM, and to share these findings with other communities in the GL Region.
Mullett Lake Preservation Society
Alan Terry
1136 Lynn Drive
Indian River, MI 49749
231-347-2500
Email: aterry@ci.petoskey.mi.us
Project Title: Mullett Lake Aquatic Exotic Plants and Animals Information & Education Program
Grant Award: $790
Project Summary:
The object of the project is to provide information to lakeshore property owners so they are able to become educated on certain aquatic exotic plants and animals of concern that may inhabit Mullett Lake. Property owners can then become more educated about aquatic exotic species resulting in precautions being taken to protect Mullett and other lakes from introduction or further spreading of exotic species in their use of waterways. Individuals will become better able to identify and report sightings to the Mullett Lake Area Preservation Society (MAPS) so the level of infiltration may be assessed and if possible a program implemented to control the nuisance.
Northwoods Mathematics, Science & Tech Center (Applicant)
Tom Abramson
2525 Third Avenue South
Escanaba, MI 49829
906-786-9300
Email: tabramson@dsisd.k12.mi.us
Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District (Sponsor)
General Administrative Office
Escanaba, MI 49829
Project Title: Monitoring Invasive Species in Lake Michigan's Bays de Noc
Grant Award: $2500
Project Summary:
In 2002, netting efforts in Little Bay de Noc yielded Eurasion ruffe, adding to the long list of invaders already common in Delta County waters. The impact that these invaders have on the environment is a cause of great concern. This project includes a research component where trap nets will be used to monitor populations of Eurasion ruffe and round goby. Data collected could provide researchers with valuable baseline data that is currently limited. Local educators will produce lessons and materials to call attention to the problem of aquatic nuisance species to be used with a variety of audiences.
Oceana Conservation District
Michelle McQuiston
1064 Industrial Park Dr.
Shelby, MI 49455
231-861-4967
Email: michelle-mcquiston@mi.nacdnet.org
Project Title: Building Aquatic Nuisance Species Awareness in Oceana County
Grant Award: $2484
Project Summary:
The Oceana Conservation District (OCD) is working on developing several environmental topics to educate residents, landowners, and students about Michigan's natural resources. The OCD would like to create an Aquatic Nuisance Species Awareness Kit that will be available for use by OCD staff or other local educators and volunteers. The kit would be used to educate lakeshore and riparian owners, Oceana county residents and school children about aquatic nuisance species identification and prevention. Written evaluations will be used to determine the effectiveness of the presentations and material in the kit.
Three Lakes Association
Timothy Hannert
PO Box 689
Bellaire, MI 49615
(231) 533-4852
Email: 3lakes3@torchlake.com
Project Title: Aquatic Nuisance Species Information and Boat Wash Program
Grant Award: $2500
Project Summary:
Zebra mussels and Eurasian Water Milfoil have been detected at several locations in Antrim County. Boat launch sites are the major entry points for these aquatic nuisance species (ANS). Boater education and demonstration boat washing may stem the invasion of these species into Antrim County lakes. Information on signs and in brochures will be available at public boat launch sites and boat wash demonstrations will be offered during busy weekends on a rotating basis. Trained volunteers from the TLA membership will run the demonstrations and distribute the brochures.
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