MSU Extension MI Paddle Stewards program helps train paddlers to hunt for invasive species

Michigan Sea Grant, Michigan State University Extension -

MI Paddle Stewards has provided many in-person training workshops and is also available online. New grant funding will help Michigan Sea Grant expand the training.

Four people are seen in their kayaks in the river as one describes how to hunt for aquatic invasive species along the shoreline.
During one training workshop, paddlers became allies in the fight against aquatic invasive species. They learned how to detect and report any invasive species they spotted while paddling the upper Grand River water trail.

Michigan’s rivers and lakes are great places to play and explore with non-motorized crafts like canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and paddleboards. Unfortunately, they’re also home to many aquatic invasive species. And paddlers can accidentally bring invasive species from one waterway to another.

In 2019, Michigan Sea Grant launched MI Paddle Stewards to teach canoers, kayakers, and other paddlers how to identify, report, and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in their favorite Michigan waterbodies. MI Paddle Stewards has provided many in-person training workshops around the state and is now available as a short online learning module through Michigan State University Extension. 

Free online course

The MI Paddle Stewards module is quick, free, and self-paced. Participants learn about the effects of invasive plants, snails, insects, and more. Along with tips for identifying common invaders, participants will discover how to report their sightings to the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) app. These reports help state and local partners prioritize where to spend time, money, and effort monitoring and removing aquatic invaders.

New grant funding

In March 2023, the MI Paddle Stewards program received $94,500 in fresh funding from the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program. This program is run by several Michigan state agencies and helps fund projects to monitor, remove, and educate people about invasive species. This grant will help MI Paddle Stewards maintain and update the free online course, support partners who are hosting in-person training workshops, and more. 

Learn more about MI Paddle Stewards and sign up for the training course on Michigan Sea Grant’s website.

Michigan Sea Grant helps to foster economic growth and protect Michigan’s coastal, Great Lakes resources through education, research and outreach. A collaborative effort of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University and its MSU Extension, Michigan Sea Grant is part of the NOAA-National Sea Grant network of 34 university-based programs.

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