Invasive species events help increase awareness across state
Boaters, volunteers, and natural resource professionals across Ohio came together this summer to protect local waters from aquatic invasive species (AIS) during the 2025 Great Lakes AIS Landing Blitz.
Coordinated by the Ohio Clean Marinas Program with grant support from the Great Lakes Commission, the event took place from June 30 to July 13 and saw strong participation across 16 in-person events held throughout Ohio’s Lake Erie counties and beyond.
In total, 559 people were directly engaged at boat ramps and park events, learning how to prevent the spread of invasive species through the simple “Clean, Drain, Dry” method. The campaign was supported by 33 staff and volunteers, who conducted five official watercraft inspections and identified 21 boats carrying visible plants or animals attached, helping boaters take immediate action to stop further spread.
The 2025 Blitz also had a strong digital impact, generating over 20,000 social media impressions and reaching new audiences across Ohio and the Great Lakes region.
“Aquatic invasive species don’t just threaten our waterways — they threaten our recreation, our economy, and our native ecosystems,” said Sarah Orlando, manager of the Ohio Clean Marinas Program. “This year’s Landing Blitz shows how effective community engagement can be in spreading awareness and building a culture of stewardship.”
AIS like zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, and hydrilla can damage infrastructure, outcompete native species, and make lakes difficult to navigate. While these species often hitchhike to other lakes on boats, trailers, and gear, they can be stopped with a few simple steps:
• Clean off any plants, mud, or animals
• Drain all water-holding compartments
• Dry everything thoroughly before launching in a new waterbody.
This year’s event also included hands-on activities like species identification practice, kayak excursions, and even a targeted removal of European frogbit at Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve.
The Landing Blitz is part of a larger international effort coordinated by the Great Lakes Commission in partnership with U.S. and Canadian agencies, conservation districts, and local organizations.
To learn more about aquatic invasive species and how you can help, visit glc.org/blitz.
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 nation-wide 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.