Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Outreach And Education

The spread of aquatic invasive species threatens Wisconsin’s public and private water infrastructure, property values, natural heritage and a $2.75 billion fishing industry that provides 30,000 jobs. To stop the spread of AIS by water users, an effective public communications strategy, including research and evaluation, is of paramount importance.

The department goal is to help water users know and consistently follow all AIS prevention laws and/or change their behavior to stop the spread of AIS. The department also strives to provide partners and stakeholders with current information on AIS distribution, biology, management practices and policy.

OUTREACH

The AIS Partnership includes 49 counties, state and regional agencies, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, business owners and private volunteers. The department is committed to building Partnership capacity through shared information, communications research, resource and strategy development and project coordination to promote a unified prevention effort.

Watercraft Inspections

Trained watercraft inspectors inspect more than 100,000 watercraft annually and survey boaters to educate water users and determine compliance with AIS prevention steps. Part of the Clean Boats, Clean Waters program run out of UW Stevens Point, volunteers and staff communicate the AIS prevention steps of: 1) Inspect boats, 2) Remove plants, 3) Drain all water from boat and equipment, and 4) Never move plants or live fish away from a waterbody. Learn More

Bait Dealer Initiative

Beginning in January 2012, Wisconsin launched a statewide effort to recruit bait shop owners to assist in sharing AIS prevention messages and materials with their customers. Bait shop owners are opinion leaders in the angling community and can be influential advocates, information sources and personal examples in making AIS prevention steps a standard practice for water users. This campaign was developed with the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Life Science Communications Department. Learn More

Landing Blitz

Since 2009, the department has teamed up with the UW-Extension and a variety of other partners to saturate the landings with volunteers and paid watercraft inspectors to educate boaters over the Fourth of July weekend. DNR provides participating organizations with press coverage and assistance, outreach materials and give-aways to reward boaters who practice prevention steps. Learn More

RESEARCH

The individual actions count when it comes to stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species. Successful prevention – practiced by everyone who enjoys Wisconsin’s lakes, rivers and wetlands – costs only a fraction of population control after new invasions have taken place. The department supports research projects that identify our most promising audiences, messages, communication channels and partners, as well as evaluation of ongoing campaigns.

Social Marketing

The individual actions count when it comes to stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species. Successful prevention – practiced by everyone who enjoys Wisconsin’s lakes, rivers and wetlands – costs only a fraction of population control after new invasions have taken place. The department supports research projects that identify our most promising audiences, messages, communication channels and partners, as well as evaluation of ongoing campaigns.

Observation Study

2012 will be the pilot season to collect observational data on boater compliance with AIS prevention steps. The results will allow AIS staff to determine if self-reported rates of compliance have been accurate, prioritize education goals and identify high risk locations and user groups.