PLATTEVILLE - After two years of research and outreach, the Southwest Badger Resource Conservation and Development Council announced the release of the Southwest Wisconsin Aquatic Invasive Species strategic plan.
Aquatic invasive species have become an issue in Southwest Badger's nine-county region. The plan shows where invasive species have been found and outlines strategies to inform people about the threat of invasives.
In Green County, four aquatic invasive species have been found including Curly Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Watermilfoil, Purple Loosestrife and Rusty Crayfish.
In Lafayette County, five aquatic invasive species have been found including Curly Leaf Pondweed, Japanese Knotweed, Japanese Hops, Purple Loosestrife and Rusty Crayfish.
Southwest Badger hired Don Barrette, Aquatic Invasive Species coordinator, to monitor lakes and streams and educate people about the threat of aquatic invasives. Over the past two years, Barrette has monitored for aquatic invasive species on 15 lakes and 121 streams in southwest Wisconsin and found that aquatic invasive species, and in some cases very large populations, have been found in every county.
"The good news is that many of the populations of aquatic invasive species I found were small, and if immediately dealt with, they could be controlled," Barrette said in a news release. "But once a species is well established, it is much more difficult to control or eliminate."
Barrette said some people may not realize they are transporting aquatic invasive species. Hunters, trappers, farmers and contractors may not spend much time in the water, but may unintentionally spread invasives on their boots and equipment.
The strategic plan, including detailed maps of sampling conducted in each county, is available at www.swbadger.org/. For more information, contact Barrette at don.barrette@swbadger.org or at 608-348-7114.
Aquatic invasive species have become an issue in Southwest Badger's nine-county region. The plan shows where invasive species have been found and outlines strategies to inform people about the threat of invasives.
In Green County, four aquatic invasive species have been found including Curly Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Watermilfoil, Purple Loosestrife and Rusty Crayfish.
In Lafayette County, five aquatic invasive species have been found including Curly Leaf Pondweed, Japanese Knotweed, Japanese Hops, Purple Loosestrife and Rusty Crayfish.
Southwest Badger hired Don Barrette, Aquatic Invasive Species coordinator, to monitor lakes and streams and educate people about the threat of aquatic invasives. Over the past two years, Barrette has monitored for aquatic invasive species on 15 lakes and 121 streams in southwest Wisconsin and found that aquatic invasive species, and in some cases very large populations, have been found in every county.
"The good news is that many of the populations of aquatic invasive species I found were small, and if immediately dealt with, they could be controlled," Barrette said in a news release. "But once a species is well established, it is much more difficult to control or eliminate."
Barrette said some people may not realize they are transporting aquatic invasive species. Hunters, trappers, farmers and contractors may not spend much time in the water, but may unintentionally spread invasives on their boots and equipment.
The strategic plan, including detailed maps of sampling conducted in each county, is available at www.swbadger.org/. For more information, contact Barrette at don.barrette@swbadger.org or at 608-348-7114.