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Email conservation director: ssmith@mnbassnation.org

12/14/22

Wildlife Forever Unveils the Access Enhancement
Guidebook to Prevent Aquatic Invasive Species

Immediate Release:

Contact:Zach Burnside, Invasive Species Program CoordinatorZBurnside@WildlifeForever.org

White Bear Lake, MN- Wildlife Forever announces a new, innovative approach to aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention designed to evaluate watercraft accesses and integrate tools to help boaters and anglers. The Clean Drain Dry Access Enhancement Guidebook outlines a new program that takes a comprehensive review and evaluation process to determine the best suited cleaning stations, hand tools, and modernized signage to engage, educate, and empower.

Endorsed by the American Sport Fishing Association, Yamaha Rightwaters, Major League Fishing, Bass Anglers Sportsman’s Society, National Professional Anglers Association, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service, the program is poised to help county, state, and federal agencies, modernize access with much needed infrastructure to prevent spread of current AIS and those yet to arrive.

“We’ve done enough surveys and ‘I promise pledges’ to know, boaters and anglers just need the tools. We’re a ‘toolcentric’ audience and there are no excuses as to why every boat access across America isn’t supplied with basic cleaning and AIS prevention tools,” said Pat Conzemius, President & CEO of Wildlife Forever. “We know agencies often lack capacity; this partnership approach can truly make a difference.”

Click here to view the guidebook. Organizations interested in Wildlife Forever’s access enhancement program and services can email or call to learn more.

TheClean Drain Dry Initiative™is the national campaign to educate outdoor recreational users on how to prevent the spread of invasive species. Coordinated invasive species messaging focuses on strategic content, marketing communications, and outreach tools on how to prevent. To learn how you can get involved or sponsor, contact:Zach Burnside:ZBurnside@WildlifeForever.org

About Wildlife Forever:Our mission is to conserve America's outdoor heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat and science-based management of fish and wildlife.Wildlife Forever is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to investingresources on the ground. Recent audits reveal that 96% of every dollar supports our award-winning conservation programs.Join Todayand learn more about the Art of Conservation® programs, Clean Drain Dry Initiative™ and Prairie City USA® atwww.WildlifeForever.org.

stop aquatic hitchhikers! Prevent the transport of nuisance species. clean all recreational equipment.

If you are a water recreationist—boater, angler, water-skier, sailor, or canoeist—there are some important things you can do to prevent the transport of invasive species from one lake or river to another. In Minnesota it is illegal to transport prohibited invasive species.

Clean in and Clean Out

1. CLEAN all visible aquatic plants, zebra mussels, and other prohibited invasive species from watercraft, trailers, and water-related equipment before leaving any water access or shoreland.

2. DRAIN water-related equipment (boat, ballast tanks, portable bait containers, motor) and drain bilge, livewell and baitwell by removing drain plugs before leaving a water access or shoreline property. Keep drain plugs out and water-draining devices open while transporting watercraft.

3. DISPOSE of unwanted bait, including minnows, leeches, and worms, in the trash. It is illegal to release bait into a waterbody or release aquatic animals from one waterbody to another. If you want to keep your bait, you must refill the bait container with bottled or tap water.