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May 07

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Holding the Invaders at Bay

On the lookout for invasive plants:

USFWS Fish Biologists work diligently removing small colonies and individual water chestnut plants (via Kelly McDonald/USFWS).

When a new plant moves into a lake or stream, take note – it could be cause for concern.

Sandra Keppner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says that rapidly spreading invasive plants like water chestnut and hydrilla are causing big problems for New York waters.

“We see virtually the elimination of our native plant species as these species grow up and take over,” says Keppner.

And in shallow waters, they can interfere with swimming, fishing, and boating.

So if you see a new plant growing in the water, call your local conservation agency. They can determine whether it’s invasive and help remove it if necessary. Early action is the best way to keep these invaders out of the Great Lakes.

Get Schooled:

Watch more:

Watch a segment on the removal of water chestnut from the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy (via Paul Dake):

The fine print:

  • This segment was produced with Cornell’s Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, and supported by agreement with New York Sea Grant, funds provided by the Environmental Protection Fund under the authority of the New York Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this broadcast are those of the originators and do not necessarily reflect the views of Stony Brook University or New York Sea Grant.

 

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