Starry Trek 2019

In August, there were 252 statewide volunteers participating in Starry Trek 2019 across Minnesota. Starry Trek is a day when volunteers from Minnesota and Wisconsin work together to search for new infestations of a very troublesome Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), starry stonewort.

The North Itasca County group consisted of 23 volunteers (and one mascot!) from several local lakes. This group, which included 7 certified AIS Detectors, surveyed 14 lakes. They were happy to report that starry stonewort was not found in any of the surveyed lakes. Statewide, no new infestations of starry stonewort were found, but volunteers found and identified several other types of AIS. Our group found Chinese mystery snails, an AIS of lesser concern, in several local lakes. Overall, we had a great experience during Starry Trek 2019, and we were pleased that so many were able to participate in this “Gateway Experience to Involvement in AIS Prevention!” 
 

Save the Date! Next Starry Trek is on August 15, 2020.