View and Download – Stop Starry Stonewort Poster
Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates’ Stop Starry Stonewort Program promotes a civic pride around preserving water quality by encouraging boaters to CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY their boats and equipment after use.
Starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) is an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) that outcompetes native vegetation and wildlife, permanently altering ecosystems and upsetting the balance of Minnesota’s lakes and rivers. Starry stonewort has a rapid reproduction rate, and thrives in previously healthy and pristine waters.
This invasive macro-algae can reach depths up to 25 feet, growing from the lake or river substrate to its surface.
Discovered in Minnesota in 2015 at Lake Koronis, starry stonewort has rapidly spread to over 19 lakes/rivers in the state. The management of starry stonewort is expensive, costing Lake Koronis $170,000 annually to manage its presence without the ability to eliminate it completely.
Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates knows that the best way to manage starry stonewort is to STOP it from spreading in the first place.
With funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates is supplying CD3 Waterless Boat Cleaning Systems to areas affected by starry stonewort, to prevent the spread of the destructive species.
CD3 Systems are free-to-use and available 24/7 to the public.
Research by Cornell University, Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC), and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has discovered that 90% of boaters know the risks of transporting aquatic invasive species, believe it to be a problem, and know the steps they need to fully take to CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY; still, most do not take all of the steps necessary. The reason they give is a lack of equipment where/when they need it.
By placing CD3 Systems conveniently offshore contaminated waters, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates encourages a civic pride surrounding water preservation.
Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates uses a discussion-based approach to organizing outreach efforts, and is hosting discussions for community members in affected areas. If you are a concerned citizen, lake association member, or are otherwise affected by starry stonewort in your community, please contact our Director – jeff@mnlakesandrivers.org to volunteer with our program and find out how you can help STOP STARRY STONEWORT.