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July 5, 2017
Contact: Rachel Roberts (DNR), 989-821-6374 or Vicki Springstead (Higgins Lake Foundation), 248-761-7816
DNR and Higgins Lake Foundation to host boat washes, provide invasive species education July 8-9, Aug. 12-13
A cooperative effort between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Higgins Lake Foundation to help reduce the spread of aggressive aquatic invasive species will take place on Higgins Lake in Roscommon County July 8-9 and Aug. 12-13. As part of the effort, volunteers will offer offer free boat washes and boater education on preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Higgins Lake and other Michigan lakes have been affected by aquatic invasive species, which are non-native animals or plants whose introduction causes harm or is likely to cause harm to Michigan's economy, environment or human health. Boat washing is one of the best tools to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species between inland lakes.
Over the course of the last nine years, the Higgins Lake Foundation has funded three boat-washing stations on Higgins Lake. These stations allow boaters to inspect and wash invasive species off boats before traveling to another body of water. As an extension of these efforts, two upcoming educational weekends will take place July 8-9 and Aug. 12-13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. in the following locations:
"Once an invasive species has been introduced, it is costly to control and virtually impossible to remove," said Vicki Springstead, chairperson of the Higgins Lake Foundation. "Boat washing is the best defense to protect our treasured lakes. We hope that boaters take advantage of the boat-washing stations and the knowledgeable volunteers who will be on-site to answer questions."
Volunteers will be providing information on an online survey; however, the survey is open to anyone who would like to provide feedback. The purpose of the survey is to collect helpful input from boaters and local residents regarding lake use, aquatic invasive species knowledge and boat-wash use. The survey can be found at www.higginslake-foundation.org.
The Higgins Lake Foundation was established in 1989 with the mission to promote ecologically sound projects and practices for the protection of Higgins Lake and the surrounding watershed.
To get more information or to volunteer for this project, contact the Higgins Lake Foundation office at 989-275-9183 or Rachel Roberts, park supervisor for South Higgins Lake State Park, at 989-821-6374 or robertsr@michigan.gov.
Learn more about Michigan's aquatic invasive species and efforts to prevent them at www.michigan.gov/invasivespecies.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
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