Paddlers Invited To Fight Invasive Species

pawpawriver

Coming up on September 7 will be event for paddlers of all kinds to help fight invasive species in southwest Michigan. Michigan State University Extension Sea Grant educator Mary Bohling tells WSJM News kayakers and others are invited to come out to the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission office in Benton Harbor for a paddling session in the Paw Paw River.

“They can come out, they can join us, and we’ll teach them how to identify some invasive species, especially those on the Michigan Invasive Species Watch List, and how to report those sightings to the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network,” Bohling said.

After the educational session, everyone will hit the Paw Paw River Water Trail to look for invasives and to document them. Bohling says several paddling events have been held around the state, and those who enjoy the outdoors are often open to helping.

“Most people that we’ve run into who like to paddle, they want to protect that resource.”

The one day paddling steward event will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and those who want to go should register. You can do so right here. The day will be free thanks to support from the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program.