Worried about alien invasions? Call Geoff

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO FEDERATION OF ANGLERS AND HUNTERS

************************* Invasive species “hit squad” is back to fight aliens

Summer students taking on local aquatic and terrestrial threats

The hit squad has hit the ground running once again.

For the sixth straight year, a crew of invasive species summer students is fanning out across the province to spread awareness about the devastating impact that invasive species are having on our valuable natural resources.

One member of the squad, Geoff Loosemore [shown], is stationed here in Sault Ste. Marie.

Geoff is working with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) and the Sault Ste. Marie district office of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).

Geoff will travel through the Algoma and North Shore regions, from Wawa to Sault Ste. Marie to Elliot Lake, as an invasive species monitoring technician with the OFAH/MNR Invading Species Awareness Program.

Geoff will be monitoring local lakes and visiting marinas, fishing tournaments, garden centers and festivals in the area to share and distribute information about preventing the spread of invasive species.

The public is invited to contact Geoff at (705) 941-5108 with questions or concerns, or to obtain information about specific invasive species.

To report a sighting of an invasive species, or request informational materials, call the OFAH/MNR Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711. “Invasive species are having a significant impact across North America, and they are starting to appear here. My mission is to educate the public about the issue of invasive species, and how they can help fight the spread,” says Geoff. “When I’m not out monitoring for new occurrences, I look forward to visiting local businesses, lake and cottage associations, and concerned citizens’ groups, and getting them involved in prevention.” Invasive species pose a growing threat to the sustainability of our environment and cause billions of dollars in damage annually.

The OFAH/MNR Invading Species Awareness Program, the largest of its kind in Canada, uses public education and awareness to prevent the introduction of new invasive species, and to stop the spread of those already here.

Over the course of the summer, the invasive species hit squad will monitor more than 200 local lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands, looking for zebra mussels, spiny water flea, round goby and other aquatic invaders, and will contribute to a variety of efforts to control the spread of invaders to inland waters.

The crew will also be on the lookout for potential invaders that threaten the future health of our wetlands and forests, such as dog strangling vine and garlic mustard.

The OFAH/MNR Invading Species Awareness Program employs university and college students to man the hit squad through funding provided by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the federal government’s Canada Summer Jobs program.

Conservation authorities, stewardship councils and other community groups are also providing assistance.

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