Boot camp for the Hit Squad

All media are invited to attend this workshop for photo, video and interview opportunities or to follow up with students in their communities.

Boot camp for the "Hit Squad"
Invasive species under fire during summer student training, June 22, 23

More than thirty college and university summer students, (AKA the Invasive Species Hit Squad), will attend invasive species boot camp this week to learn all they can about alien threats to Ontario’s biodiversity. The Invading Species Awareness Program (ISAP) is an education and outreach initiative, jointly run by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). The ISAP is hosting the two-day training session beginning June 22 at the O.F.A.H. Mario Cortellucci Hunting & Fishing Heritage Centre in Peterborough.

The purpose of the workshop is to prepare the students with the information and skills they will need to have a successful summer season when they return to home communities across the province. Over the next several months, the "hit squad" will participate in a variety of events and presentations, and will work to engage the media in their area to raise public awareness about the huge social, economic and ecological impacts of invading species. They will also share strategies for preventing the further spread of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species.

The students will be partnered with over 20 organizations, including conservation authorities, First Nations and non-government organizations, as well as several MNR offices and the O.F.A.H head office. Funding assistance is being provided by the Government of Canada’s Canada Summer Jobs Program.

With 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 670 member clubs, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is the largest nonprofit conservation-based organization in Ontario. For more information, visit www.ofah.org or www.invadingspecies.com.

The following host communities and organizations are involved in the summer student program. To be put in touch with students, or for further information, call 705-748-6324 Francine MacDonald, O.F.A.H. Invasive Species/Aquatics Biologist (ext 238), or Sophie Bull, Invasive Species Outreach Liaison (ext 274).

Eastern Ontario:

• Chute a Blondeau, Voyageur Provincial Park, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
• Finch, South Nation Conservation
• Lanark, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority
• Lanark, Plenty Canada
• Manotick, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
• Pembroke, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
• Prince Edward County, Prince Edward Stewardship Council

Northeastern Ontario:

• Kirkland Lake, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
• Espanola, Manitoulin Island, Manitoulin Area Stewardship Council, Manitoulin Tourism Association
• Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Northwestern Ontario:

• Kenora, Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association
• Nipigon, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
• Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Stewardship Council

Central Ontario:

• Alliston, Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority
• Aurora, Ontario Streams
• Dorset, York University
• Mississauga, Credit Valley Conservation
• Orillia, Kids For Turtles Environmental Education
• Oshawa, Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority
• Peterborough, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
• Trenton, Lower Trent Conservation

Southwestern Ontario:

• Windsor, University of Windsor

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