Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has proclaimed June 12-20 as Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Awareness Week to highlight the need for citizens to take action to stop new introductions and control the spread of AIS.  The Great Lakes and Michigan's inland waters, which draw millions of tourists and recreational users, are threatened by more than 180 AIS now found in the region, and others, including the Asian Carp, are at our doorstep .

Michigan has taken a lead in seeking to protect the Great Lakes from AIS from a number of pathways.  New federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding will help Michigan better protect our waters from the introduction and spread of AIS and address some areas where invasive phragmites plants have impacted shorelines.

The succes s and benefit of these efforts, however, also depend on recreational users doing their part by taking a few simple preventive measures to help protect Michigan's pristine waters from the spread of AIS.  Recreational boaters should inspect their watercraft before leaving a lake, any vegetation found should be removed, all live wells drained, areas that may contain water cleaned, and unused bait disposed in the trash. 

AIS Awareness Week is sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment's Office of the Great Lakes (OGL) with collaborative efforts from other state and federal agencies as well as private and nonprofit organizations.  For AIS Awareness Week information, the Governor's proclamation, event listings, activities and more, visit the OGL's AIS Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/deqaquaticinvasives; or contact the OGL at 517‑335‑4056.

The DNRE is committed to conserve, manage, protect, and promote accessible use and enjoyment of the state's environmental, natural resource, and related economic interests for current and future generations.