Statewide Impact of MAISRC Research

MAISRC has been an invaluable resource for our aquatic invasive species management efforts in Minneapolis. We have directly applied MAISRC-supported tools and information, including the P.I. Charter app, phragmites management guidelines, plant identification workshops, and guidebooks to improve our field operations and decision-making. MAISRC researchers have also partnered with us on native aquatic vegetation transplant projects that offer a promising and exciting new way to manage invasive species. MAISRC provides timely, locally relevant science and emerging research. Having a Minnesota-based organization focused specifically on aquatic invasive species gives practitioners like us access to expertise and resources that translate directly into on-the-ground management actions.

Josh Poole, AIS Program Coordinator, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

Both the MAISRC researchers/students and the programs they create are a tremendous resource for local managers who are prioritizing where to target limited resources and looking for the latest in new tools and approaches to combat AIS. Their work is laser-focused on the issues that Minnesota lake and river stakeholders care about most and the programs they develop are applicable to both local managers and the lake stewards in our community. In Sherburne County these programs have helped us prioritize our watercraft inspections for maximum impact, develop early detection protocols for zebra mussels, track and manage common carp for water quality and ecosystem benefits, understand the impacts of new invading species, and more. Although MAISRC has quickly become both an internationally recognized and respected organization, their staff and programs are locally accessible and quite impactful. Our local AIS program and successes would not be possible without the expertise and resources MAISRC delivers, we will continue to look to MAISRC as the foremost expert in AIS management for years to come.

Dan Cibulka, Senior Water Resource Specialist, Sherburne County Soil and Water Conservation District

MAISRC has been essential and integral to my work as the Cook County’s AIS Program Supervisor. I consume each project, webinar, course, research, showcase, lab tour they produce and encourage many others to do the same. Through MAISRC I have been able to use their resources to make my job more efficient and streamlined producing more effective ways to conduct boots on the ground outreach. I am the current chair of the DNR’s AIS Advisory Committee and have been able to work closely with MAISRC staff through this role. I cannot and do not want to imagine what the world of AIS prevention would be without MAISRC. 

Amanda Weberg, AIS Program Supervisor, Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District

MAISRC supported research has directly strengthened our AIS Program's ability to manage aquatic invasive species in Itasca County by providing science-based tools we can put to work immediately in the field. Their work has filled critical knowledge gaps—especially around zebra mussel spread, starry stonewort management, and high risk pathways—and this has improved how we prioritize inspections, outreach, and rapid response, particularly through the AIS Explorer online application. Access to MAISRC experts has also accelerated our decision-making and ensured our local strategies stay aligned with the best available science statewide.

Bill Grantges, Itasca SWCD AIS Program Manger, Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District

The applied research being conducted by MAISRC directly translates into on-the-ground management actions by local water resource practitioners. At the Coon Creek Watershed District, for example, our staff attended a MAISRC Research Showcase and learned how to identify invasive phragmites versus its native look-alike. We took these new skills to the field and found several suspected infestations that were later verified by MAISRC research and extension staff. We then followed the invasive phragmites management recommendations published on the MAISRC webpage to initiate control efforts and have been very successful working with various partners to slow and reverse the spread of this damaging invader. We appreciate the high-quality research being done at MAISRC and benefit from their robust technology transfer program. 

Justine Dauphinais, Water Quality Coordinator, Coon Creek Watershed District

The Lake County AIS Prevention Program has greatly benefitted from the research and guidance coming out of MAISRC. We appreciate how much they listen to the needs from AIS managers and prioritize research based on its potential for practical application. For example, the project "Effective rusty crayfish removals to protect wild rice" demonstrated the best methods for trapping and removing invasive crayfish in our region, and we incorporated those methods into our own trapping protocols, as well as providing them as recommendations for volunteer crayfish trappers. We also use tools such as AIS Explorer, and participate in data collection through the P.I. Charter and Spiny Surveillance portals. MAISRC is always the first place I check to see if there is a solution to an AIS problem I encounter.  

Liz Anderson, Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator, Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District

When our program first considered partnering with MAISRC, I approached the collaboration cautiously, given past experiences where Tribal priorities and Indigenous Knowledge were not fully respected. MAISRC distinguished itself by listening first, engaging with us as partners, and supporting management strategies that reflect both scientific research and on-the-ground realities. Our collaboration on Diver-Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) demonstrates their willingness to evaluate emerging tools while recognizing the need for practical, adaptive solutions. This commitment to respectful collaboration and applied research has built trust and strengthened our capacity to protect culturally significant aquatic resources.

Kate Hagsten, Plants Program Director, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

MAISRC-supported research has assisted in strengthening our ability to address aquatic invasive species challenges by providing access to science-based tools, current data, and expert guidance. The research has helped fill critical knowledge gaps related to AIS detection and monitoring allowing us to make more informed decisions and improve program effectiveness. Connections with researchers and technical experts have provided valuable resources and collaboration opportunities that continue to support our AIS work.

Phil DeFoe, Invasive Species Specialist, Fond du Lac band of Lake Superior Chippewa

MAISRC has been an invaluable partner to our mission at 1854 Treaty Authority. With their focus on research-based solutions to AIS issues, such as the best way to prevent spiny water flea, trap rusty crayfish around sensitive vegetation, or manage invasive aquatic vegetation, we are better able to support our lakes and communities. Their willingness to research the impacts of various AIS, from zebra mussel reducing the size of walleye young to mystery snail potentially changing the water chemistry of wild rice waters, provides essential information to inform the public, affect policy change, and focus our own efforts.

Matt Santo, Invasive Species Biologist, 1854 Treaty Authority
 

Over the years, MAISRC has been a great resource for helping us manage the invasive species (Eurasian Water Milfoil, Curly Leaf Pondweed, Zebra Mussels) that have infested Sugar Lake. Through MAISRC, we have learned not only about the biology of the various species, but also about the current 'state -of-the-science' for managing them. We have participated in several research studies conducted by MAISRC staff, and look forward to doing more in the future. The annual MAISRC Showcase has always provided great information, as well as the opportunity to make personal connections with the researchers and other 'lakers' dealing with AIS. Sugar Lake is definitely a better place as a result of MAISRC's work. 

Ron Elsner, Member of Board of Directors; Past Chair, Sugar Lake Association

The Ruth Lake Improvement District is grateful for its longstanding partnership with MAISRC and the valuable research, expertise, and tools it provides. Our collaboration began in 2015 when zebra mussels were first identified in Ruth Lake, making it the first MAISRC pilot project to test a new zebra mussel treatment. Since then, MAISRC has helped us stay current on aquatic invasive species research and management through webinars, conferences, and educational resources. Their expertise has strengthened our efforts to educate lake residents/visitors and supports effective, cost-efficient AIS prevention and management. We also value the opportunity to participate in MAISRC's Lab to Lakes initiatives, including Zebra Mussel Safari and zebra mussel eDNA testing. Minnesota's lakes are central to our heritage and economy. MAISRC plays a vital role in protecting these resources for future generations, and we are proud to support its mission.

Amy Flynn Brennan, Board member, Ruth Lake Improvement District

Seven years ago, I volunteered to become my lake association's AIS representative. I have been relying on MAISRC for knowledge to build my expertise ever since, starting with a plant identification seminar and a MAISRC Showcase event that first year. Over the years I've attended multiple Showcase events, numerous AIS Detector sessions, AIS management training, plant identification sessions, and a variety of special topic webinars. As a result of the knowledge I've attained, I'm the local AIS expert for my lake, I'm part of a county AIS task force, and have even staffed the DNR's AIS booth at the state fair a few times.

Dan Ziegler, AIS Representative, Mound Lake Association    

MAISRC-supported research has provided our community with practical, science‑based tools to better understand and respond to aquatic invasive species challenges on Ottertail Lake. Advances in early detection methods, risk modeling, and lake‑to‑lake AIS pathways have helped us identify threats sooner and target prevention resources more effectively. Their work has also been invaluable in addressing swimmer’s itch, giving us access to emerging research, expert guidance, and potential long‑term solutions to a problem that affects both residents and visitors. MAISRC’s applied science and accessible expertise have strengthened our ability to protect water quality, recreation, and the long‑term health of Ottertail Lake.

Eric Gerken, President, Otter Tail Lake Property Owners Association

The resources provided by MAISRC have been invaluable to our nonprofit programming. Their engaging videos, animations, educational materials, and research-based content have become a cornerstone of both our STEAM education camps and participant training before transporting watercraft. MAISRC not only offers outstanding identification guides/classes but also provides clear, science-backed explanations that make best practices easy to understand and apply. We trust the accuracy of their work and consistently find it relevant, practical, and impactful for both instructors and students. Their lab is both an inviting place to see the science and a vanguard facility in research.

Matthew Thompson, Executive Director, Wayzata Sailing

How do we understand AIS issues if we only guess at solutions or simply don’t have any answers? This is one reason I support continued MAISRC research efforts. The other reason is the impact of invasive species on Minnesota’s wildlife and fish species needs to be understood and solutions need to be discovered.

Ron Schara, President/Founder, MN-FISH

As a long-standing partner of the MAISRC since its inception, I have collaborated on numerous critical initiatives. Most notably, our joint research findings were presented at an American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) meeting attended by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state representatives, and major boat manufacturers. MAISRC’s invaluable research directly supported my efforts on the ABYC Aquatic Invasive Species Committee, ultimately leading to updated boat-building standards designed to minimize residual water retention and prevent the spread of invasive species.

Gabriel Jabbour, CEO, Minnetonka Marina,

MAISRC has been an invaluable resource to citizens and scientists for understanding and applying practical management applications for aquatic invasive species not only in Minnesota but nationally and internationally. This applied research model is not found anywhere else in the United States. I have implemented their scientific approaches in the past and very much look forward to implementing their new ideas in the future.

Steve McComas, President, Blue Water Science

Through my small environmental consulting business, I work with citizen lake groups throughout Minnesota to help monitor and manage aquatic invasive species. These citizen groups expect me to provide them with expert guidance so their money isn't wasted on ineffective management. The research and expertise provided by MAISRC are vital to my work and have greatly improved management outcomes in lakes throughout the state. Furthermore, many of my clients have expressed great interest in the annual Starry Trek event, new Lab to Lakes projects, and P.I. Charter data submission system, as these provide opportunities for citizens to connect directly with researchers and provide survey data that may be used to improve AIS management in the future.

James Johnson, Aquatic Ecologist / Co-founder & Vice President of MLMS, Freshwater Scientific Services, LLC / Minnesota Lake Management Society

MAISRC has helped fill knowledge gaps pertaining to aquatic invasive species to inform management and regulatory decisions. For my work, this has especially included mystery snails and rusty crayfish, which are often out of the spotlight, but have real time effects on important resources of the NE Minnesota region. MAISRC has been an instrumental organization in engaging in collaboration with multiple partners to help their work reach the largest audience possible, and make sure the work is getting done in a good way for the betterment of all Minnesotans.

Kelsey Taylor, Senior Permitting Specialist, Barr Engineering