MAISRC is bringing research to real-world application by partnering with state, tribal, and local groups on lakes across Minnesota to test the effectiveness of its research-based invasive cattail removal protocol. The project aims to restore nearshore lake zones by opening dense cattail stands, encouraging native plant regrowth, reconnecting inshore and open-water habitats, and supporting healthy fish communities and lake food webs.
Key objectives
- Establish demonstration sites: Distribute invasive cattail removal plots across 20 to 25 Minnesota lakes in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, local managers, lake associations and local communities.
- Implement participatory science: Develop protocols for managers and communities to collect data, helping us assess the impact of small-scale invasive cattail removal as a nearshore restoration strategy.
- Map cattail invasion: Use a combination of genetic testing and established cattail identification methods to determine the degree of invasion throughout Minnesota, information that is currently unknown.
- Educate communities: Use demonstration plots along with workshops and field visits to engage communities in the importance of healthy, nearshore, native plant communities for fish community and lake health.
Why this project matters
MAISRC research shows that localized invasive cattail removal can successfully increase native plant communities, reconnect lake littoral zones, and potentially benefit fish communities. This demonstration project is critical for moving research findings into statewide best practices. It will provide essential data on the effectiveness and practicality of our approach, measure the success of community-driven science, and ultimately empower lake managers and owners to restore and protect Minnesota's nearshore lake ecosystems.
Join the MN Cattail Collaborative
Who can participate?
- Groups such as lake associations, watershed districts, lake improvement districts, state park managers, and others; we are excited to work with a wide variety of organizations - provided they are able to meet project participation requirements!
What are participant requirements?
- Participants must have a member of a management agency as a part of the project or as a partner willing to be a contact for/provide advice to participants. This management partner could be a member of a watershed district, a soil and water conservation district, county park staff, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) staff, etc.
- Participants will be able to fund their own invasive cattail removal (initial cost likely $3,000-$10,000), any yearly maintenance required to maintain cattail openings, and costs of data collection materials (approximately $500-$3,500).
- Participants must have access to an appropriate section of lakeshore for cattail removal and restoration and acquire an MNDNR permit for removal.
- Participants will be required to recruit multiple volunteers or staff members committed to collecting data (minimum of 1-3 days per year).
What are MNSG and MAISRC’s roles?
- Coordinate participants and help connect participants with management partners as necessary.
- Assist participants in selecting removal sites and planning removal.
- Share procedures for invasive cattail removal, data collection, and data uploads to our database.
- Share information, answer questions, and provide general support.
- Collate and analyze removal data and share the results with the broader community.
What is the timeline for this project?
- Winter 2026: MNSG and MAISRC will recruit participants, host a virtual workshop for participants, and help participants find management partners.
- Spring 2026: Participants will select sites for removal (with MNSG help as needed) and apply for an MNDNR permit for the cattail removal. MNSG and MAISRC will host a second, in-person workshop on data collection.
- Summer 2026: Participants will collect pre-cattail removal data
- Fall 2026: Participants will remove cattail at their selected site
- Summer 2027 & onward: Participants will collect post-removal data and upload to the MNSG/MAISRC database
- Fall 2027 & onward: Participants will perform maintenance at cattail removal sites
If you are interested in getting involved with the Minnesota Cattail Collaborative, fill out the interest form:
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