PELLSTON, Mich. — The University of Michigan Biological Station is making it easier for scientists and students at the research and teaching campus to remove aquatic invasive species from their equipment after returning from their field work in rivers, lakes and wetlands across northern Michigan.
The field station built an aquatic invasive species cleaning station and installed it at the maintenance garage, where vans park after teams return to campus.
“For many years, faculty and researchers at UMBS have taken the initiative to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by cleaning and sanitizing equipment used in their classes and research,” said UMBS Resident Biologist Adam Schubel. “We want to make this practice part of our institutional culture and an easy and convenient part of our routines. And we want UMBS community members to take these good habits home with them when they leave.”
The new space features grabber tools, brushes, sprayers and a drying rack. It is used to clean, drain and dry waders, boots and other gear before using the equipment again in another body of water.
The goal is to avoid circulating aquatic hitchhikers to new places because once introduced, invasive species are very difficult and expensive to remove.
“Stopping the spread of invasive species in Michigan lakes is critical for the protection of our freshwater ecosystems,” said UMBS Director Aimée Classen. “This aquatic invasive species cleaning station is central to our historic field station’s mission. It can prevent or limit the impacts of moving around harmful, nonnative aquatic plants and animals.”
UMBS is taking steps in prevention in concert with the Douglas Lake Improvement Association and the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. UMBS Researcher and Lab Manager Karin Rand volunteered at the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council’s Mobile Boat Wash Unit on Saturday, June 8, at the Douglas Lake boat ramp. Representing UMBS, Rand stood alongside Mary Ellen Sheridan with the Douglas Lake Improvement Association and Emily Johnson, water resources specialist with Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, outside Douglas Lake Bar and Grill and talked to boat owners about aquatic invasive species and the need for clean waters and boats.
Founded in 1909, the U-M Biological Station is one of the nation’s largest and longest continuously operating field research stations. For 116 years, students, faculty and researchers from around the globe have studied and monitored the impact of environmental changes on northern Michigan ecosystems.
The core mission of the Biological Station is to advance environmental field research, engage students in scientific discovery and provide information needed to understand and sustain ecosystems from local to global scales. In this cross-disciplinary, interactive community, students, faculty and researchers from around the globe come together to learn about and from the natural world and seek solutions to the critical environmental challenges of our time.
