Invasive Species Prevention Program

There has been and continues to be a fair bit of time and money invested in identifying and inventorying invasive species that have appeared on Black Lake.   Much less has been done to  prevent or eradicate them from our watershed.  The goals of this program are to 1) learn what we can from our partner organizations about our exposure and the behaviors that put us at risk to invasive mussels, weeds, and other marine plants and animals, 2) educate our members and lake visitors about preventive measures that we all can take, and 3) establish a culture of vigilance in identifying and reporting invasive species for eradication, and 4) engage our partners as necessary to quickly eradicate invasive species when found in order to avoid out of control infestations.

This year, we are trying to achieve a "steady state operation" of learning, communicating, locating, and eradicating.  We feel that we have learned a lot and we know what to do.  We need a LOT of volunteers if this program is to be successful.  Please let us know by Facebook or by using the CONTACTS page on this website if you can lend a hand.

2019 Achievements

1. Completed installation of signage at the last of 9 road-end boat launches and kept these locations stocked with informative brochures.
2. Conducted three Clean, Drain, Dry boat launch outreach sessions at the Onaway State Park making conversation with dozens of boaters and providing free
3. Conducted two educational forums with 34 members in attendance to train in identifying invasive plants and understanding the risks of not removing them.
4. Located 26 stands of Purple Loosestrife, a highly invasive weed.  Made contact with all of the property owners (in some cases multiple times) and received permission to assist with eradication of 21 of the locations.  Some of the remaining 5 sites were eradicated by the property owner.
5. Worked on the inventory of 9 stands of phragmites.  4 were determined to be native varieties and one (the most challenging and risky) was treated.  The remaining four are part of our inventory to continue our efforts in 2020.​
6. Procured grant funding assistance from the State of Michigan and from the Presque Isle Electric and Gas Community Assistance Fund.  This grant funding covered two thirds of our funding needs in 2019.

2020 Budget Needs

Our current estimate is that we will need to raise $4,000 this year for this program.  This may seem like a lot for our small group, but the cost of doing nothing is far greater.  We would be left one day with the decision to invest huge amounts to eradicate large stands of invasive plants or simply let the plants take over the watershed as phragmites has done in the Saginaw Bay area and along vast stretches of I-75.

We are in the process of developing contracts with our conservation partners at the Watershed Council and Huron Pines.  The following are estimates based on last year’s activities:

• $1,000 for survey of lake for roadside invasive plants
  
• $1,500 for Treatment of invasive plants by Huron Pines
  
• $100 for LAKE GAME box to use for educational programs at Parks
  
• $100 for 2 more signs and posts for new launch at old Black River Marina Site and Tower pond
  
• $1,000 for training program from Huron Pines for BLPS Invasive Species Team
  
• $300 for public education events.       

2020 Volunteer Needs

  The following is our current volunteer needs assessment:

Join the Invasive Species Vigilante Team:

• Learn how to identify and locate invasive plants and chart on map so treatment can be done
•  Assist with contacting property owners with invasive plants so early treatment can be permitted
• Attend a training program from Huron Pines on how to ID and treat invasive plants
•  Be a Boat wash team local rep to assist in public education at Clean Boating Events

 
The more, the merrier.  We hope to make it fun and social in addition to valuable to our watershed.  Click the CONTACT button to let us know if you may like to join us!

2020 Plans and Aspirations

1. Conduct 9 Clean, Drain Dry events at the Onaway State Park and/or the DNR Marina
2. Keep road end launches and the Onaway State Park full of our brochures and signs
3. Conduct more in-depth invasive plant training sessions for BLPS volunteers.
4. Maintain clear, concise identification of the “most wanted list” species on the website along with the ability to report sightings.
5. Form an “Invasives Species Vigilante” team (ISV) to chart the location of invasive species from our most-wanted-list in our watershed with GPS coordinates and report to the MISIN (Midwest invasive species information network) using their app
6. Hire Huron Pines/other to continue our training and to assist with our survey of the lake shoreline area
7. Add distribution maps from MISIN  to our website, https://www.misin.msu.edu/browse/ 
8. Investigate the use of drones for locating larger stands of phragmites and purple loosestrife 
9. Contract with Huron Pines for eradication efforts
10. Pursue grant funds to supplement BLPS resources

Click Here to help fund this project