DNR inviting public to learn about preventing invasive species

By Paul Vold kkin@rjbroadcasting.com (4/7/22)

(Minnesota) — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is inviting aquarium hobbyists, gardeners, and angels to an information webinar Tuesday, April 12th at noon about preventing invasive species.

The webinar will focus on recently completed DNR projects that assessed risks of invasive species introduction through live organism trades, as well as steps hobbyists and sellers can take to help reduce those risks.

Businesses and activities, such as the pet, horticulture, seafood, bait, and classroom and laboratory biological supply trades, that involve live organisms have led to invasive species introductions.

When it comes to managing invasive species, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you follow these steps to protect Minnesota waters include: Never release non-native animals or plants into the environment, outside of residential and commercial landscape settings, Choose low-risk or native species when making purchases, Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash and unwanted aquatic plants in the trash or compost, or Contact a local pet store, vet, or hobbyist club for re-homing options if you have a pet or plant you can no longer care for.To sign up for the webinar or to join the responsible buyers email list, visit the responsible buyers list and the trade pathways pages on the DNR’s website.