Document Actions
(2) Aquatic Plant Identification for Shoreland Property Owners
Mary Blickenderfer, University of Minnesota Extension, Grand Rapids, MN
Eleanor Burkett, University of Minnesota Extension, Brainerd, MN
Session: Skills Building Workshop - Concurrent Session I
As the rate of development soars on Minnesota lakeshores and along rivers so does the removal of aquatic plants, resulting in decreased habitat for aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as a dramatic increase in shoreline erosion. In addition, aquatic invasive species (AIS) already exist on several lakes and pose a serious threat to other water bodies and an annoyance to those who recreate there.
Citizen involvement is essential to maintaining health of Minnesota’s 15,000 lakes and many miles of rivers. To promote citizen involvement, the aquatic plant curriculum was developed by University of Minnesota Extension’s Shoreland Education Program for shoreline property owners with little/no prior ecology or plant knowledge. It includes a 3-hour classroom session followed by an all-day, hands-on field trip, during which the participants collect, identify (using A Field Guide for Identification of Minnesota Aquatic Plants; Blickenderfer, 2007) and press aquatic plants (for future reference). The curriculum emphasizes the value of maintaining healthy aquatic plant communities within the lake/river ecosystem and teaches citizens to identify native aquatic plants (to family, genus and/or species level) and aquatic invasive plant species (to species level). Using these skills, shoreland property owners have played an active role in writing lake management plans, educating other shoreland owners on the value of maintaining and/or restoring aquatic plants, monitoring the native aquatic plant communities, and monitoring for early detection of AIS within their lakes.
This workshop will feature highlights of the presentation on the value of native aquatic plants, an introduction to the new aquatic plant Field Guide, a practice session using the Field Guide, and a discussion of how the curriculum and Field Guide can be adapted for use by programs in other states.
Mary Blickenderfer
University of Minnesota Extension
1861 US Highway 169 East
Grand Rapids, MN 55744, USA
Phone: 218-244-7996
Fax: 218-327-4126
E-mail: blick002@umn.edu