Invasive Species ‘Hit Squad’ tackles threat to environment

OFAH FILE: 420EX
August 1, 2007

For Immediate Release

Invasive Species ‘Hit Squad’ tackles threat to environment
Award Winning program spreads the word about invasive species in Ontario

Once again this summer, an Invasive Species ‘hit squad’ has fanned out across the province to spread the word about the devastating impact that invasive species have on our valuable natural resources. Created by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), the program employs fifteen university and college students from all walks of life to engage local communities in invasive species prevention and monitoring activities. Funding for the program is provided through grants from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the Government of Canada’s Summer Jobs and Alien Invasive Species Partnership Programs and assistance from conservation authorities, stewardship councils and other community groups.

A core focus of the program is the monitoring of local lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands for zebra mussels, spiny water flea, round goby and other aquatic invaders. The students also participate in Project Purple, a long-term program that addresses the spread of purple loosestrife and other potential invaders on land, which threaten the health of our wetlands and forests. In the process, the students work closely with cottage and lake associations and fishing clubs to spread the word. By summer’s end, the program will have completed monitoring on over 200 lakes. Other projects include researching techniques to control the spread of round goby to inland waters.

Invasive species pose a growing threat to the sustainability of our environment and cause billions of dollars in damage. Aquatic invaders like zebra mussels and round goby have been introduced into the Great Lakes through ballast water discharge from ocean going vessels, and threaten the biodiversity of these lakes and inland waters across the province. Public education and awareness is critical to preventing the introduction of new invasive species and the spread of those already here, a key part of the job undertaken by the O.F.A.H. Invading Species Awareness Program, the largest of its kind in Canada.

The O.F.A.H., with 82,000 members and 655 member clubs, is the largest nonprofit conservation-based organization in Ontario.

The following is a list of the host communities and organizations involved in the program this summer. To contact students in the program, or for further information, call Francine MacDonald, O.F.A.H. Invasive Species/Aquatics Biologist, or Heather Smith, Invasive Species Outreach Liaison at (705) 748-6324.

Eastern Ontario:

Berwick, South Nation Conservation
Pembroke, Pembroke District Ministry of Natural Resources
Lanark, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority
Manotick, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

Northeastern Ontario:

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Manitoulin Island, Manitoulin Tourism Association, Manitoulin Stewardship
Parry Sound, Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council, Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve

Northwestern Ontario:

Kenora

Central Ontario:

Alliston, Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority
Oshawa, Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority
Aurora, Ontario Streams
Peterborough, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
Sutton West, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Southwestern Ontario:

Windsor, University of Windsor

-30-