Boaters can combat invasive species during annual ‘AIS Landing Blitz’

As summer kicks off, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and Ohio Sea Grant are partnering for the annual Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Landing Blitz, an international event educating boaters and the public about the impacts of aquatic invasive species.
 
This event, set to take place from June 30-July 13, is coordinated among state and provincial agencies at over 15 sites across Ohio thanks to the support of the Great Lakes Commission and partner organizations..

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) pose many risks for the public and surrounding ecosystems. AIS can tangle in boat propellers, rapidly grow in lakes making them unnavigable, degrade infrastructure costing thousands in cleanup and repair, and deplete resources for native species. Humans play a major role in the spread of these “aquatic hitchhikers,” clinging to boats and equipment as boaters travel from waterbody to waterbody.
 
Humans can also play a major role in AIS prevention by cleaning their boat between waterbodies, draining all the boat’s water holding areas, and drying their boat completely before heading out again. 
 
“Ohio Sea Grant and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources have been partners in the Great Lakes AIS Landing Blitz since its inception,” notes Sarah Orlando, Ohio Clean Marinas Program Manager. “We are thrilled to be able to work together again this year and empower partners across Ohio to conduct outreach via a grant from the Great Lakes Commission.”
 
The Great Lakes AIS Blitz will include outreach events at boat ramps and public spaces across the state, focusing on educating boaters on the importance of “Clean, Drain, Dry.” These events include invasive species education, boat checks, interactive naturalist programs, and identification practice. Current events are listed below. To see a list of all the events in Ohio, as well as the Great Lakes, visit www.glc.org/blitz.

Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District & Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory
Tuesday, July 1, 7:30 a.m - 11:30 a.m. Mazurik Boat Access, 8957 N Shore Blvd., Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio, 43440 (Outreach event)
 
Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District & Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory 
Tuesday, July 1, 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Catawba Island State Park 4050 E Moores Dock Rd. Port Clinton, Ohio, 43452 (Outreach event)
 
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Parks & Watercraft
Thursday, July 3, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m., Campground Lake Access, Deer Creek State Park 39.634206, -83.239798 (Kayaking excursion)
 
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife
Saturday, July 5, 9 a.m. – noon, South Bass Island State Park 41.64276, -82.83851 (Kayaking excursion)
 
Cleveland Metroparks
Wednesday, July 9, 9 a.m. – noon, Emerald Necklace Marina 1500 Cleveland Metro Park Drive, Lakewood, Ohio, 44107 (Outreach event)
 
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Parks & Watercraft
Friday, July 11, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Maumee Bay State Park Marina, Maumee Bay State Park 1750 State Park Road #2, Oregon, Ohio, 43616 (Outreach event)
 
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Parks & Watercraft
Friday, July 11, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Birthes Boat Launch, Pymatuning State Park 7001 Pymatuning Lake Rd, Andover, Ohio, 44003 (Outreach event)
 
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Parks & Watercraft
Friday, July 11, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Zaleski State Forest Backpack Trailhead Parking, Lake Hope State Park, 27331 OH-278 McArthur, Ohio, 43324 (Outreach table)
 
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Office of Coastal Management
Friday, July 11, 10 a.m. – noon, Old Woman Creek NERR 2005 Cleveland Road, East Huron, Ohio, 44839
(European Frogbit Removal)
 
Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
Saturday, July 12, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Seneca Lake 22172 Park Road, Senecaville, Ohio, 43780 (Outreach event)
 
Cleveland Metroparks
Saturday, July 12, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cleveland Metroparks Lakefront 7305 N. Marginal Road, Cleveland, Ohio, 44108 (Outreach event)
 
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Parks & Watercraft
Saturday, July 12, 10 a.m. – noon, North Pool Boat Ramp, Caesar Creek State Park 8570 East State Route 73, Waynesville, Ohio, 45068 (Outreach event)
 
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Parks & Watercraft
Saturday, July 12, 10 a.m. – noon, Moundwood Boat Ramp, Indian Lake State Park 7490 Edgewater Ave., Huntsville, Ohio, 43324 (Outreach event)
 
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Parks & Watercraft
Saturday, July 12 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Buck Creek Boat Launch, Buck Creek State Park 1976 Buck Creek Lane, Springfield, Ohio, 45502 (Outreach event)
 
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Parks & Watercraft
Saturday, July 12, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., Alum Creek Marina, Alum Creek State Park 4000 Hollenback Rd, Lewis Center, Ohio, 43035 (Outreach event).
 
The ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft provides exceptional outdoor recreation and boating opportunities by balancing outstanding customer service, education, and conservation of Ohio’s 76 state parks and waterways.
 
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
 
Ohio Sea Grant is supported by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, and NOAA Sea Grant, a network of 34 Sea Grant programs nationwide dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. Stone Laboratory is Ohio State’s island campus on Lake Erie and is the research, education, and outreach facility of Ohio Sea Grant and part of CFAES School of Environment and Natural Resources.