Starry Trek: the next generation of citizen science for early detection of aquatic invasive species

Session: Great Lakes Citizen Science: Leveraging Our Love of the Lakes (1)

Patrick Mulcahy, University of Minnesota Extension, [email protected]
Megan Weber, University of Minnesota, [email protected]
Daniel Larkin, University of Minnesota, [email protected]

Abstract

Starry stonewort is a new aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Minnesota, where this macroalga was first found in 2015. To enable early detection of this invader and improve understanding its distribution, we organized a new citizen science effort to boldly go to the far reaches of Minnesota to seek previously undiscovered populations of starry stonewort and other AIS. Starry Trek is held in collaboration with AIS Snapshot Day, a statewide effort in Wisconsin led by University of Wisconsin Extension, the River Alliance of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and in partnership with the Minnesota DNR. We use a train-the-trainer model to prepare local coordinators to host rendezvous sites across the state, and integrate water-chemistry based risk models to prioritize search locations. Starry Trek has been held annually since 2017, in both years our volunteers have found previously unknown populations of starry stonewort. In 2017, identification of a new population in Grand Lake (Stearns Co.) led to a rapid response hand-pulling treatment, which to date has held this population in check. We will describe our approach to this program, lessons learned, and potential for transferring this general approach to other states or species.