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Invasive Species: Take Action
What you can do
Michigan's natural areas are under threat from invasive species. You can help protect our land and water resources.
When invasives take hold, they change native ecosystems. Invasive species are difficult, sometimes even impossible to eradicate. Once invasive species become established, the work to remove them and restore natural systems is costly and time consuming. Preventing the spread of invasive species is the easiest solution to the problem. You can make a difference!
Prevent invasive species
Prevention starts with you! Be familiar with steps you can take to reduce the introduction and spread of invasive species when you are enjoying the outdoors. Whether you are boating, fishing camping, hunting, enjoying the trails or working on your land, garden, pond or aquarium, understand what you can do to prevent the spread.
Prevention tips
Control or remove invasive species
There are steps you can take to help control the spread of invasive species. Know the laws, understand what measures you can take to remove invasives and when you need a permit to do so, and find opportunities to volunteer. You can also check in with local Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs), partnerships that work to address invasive species impacts on the environment, economy and human health in their regions. CISMAs offer a range of services for prevention, early detection, response and control of invasive species.
Decontamination: Proper removal techniques
Decontamination training
This training focuses on decontaminating field equipment and vehicles to reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species. For anyone who works, plays or volunteers in lakes, rivers or wetlands.
Invasive species decontamination for field operations in Michigan
An internal policy document with with widespread applications for preventing the spread of invasive species. Learn how to minimize risk of transferring invasives species while in the field by providing basic decontamination steps as well as information specific to equipment used by state agency staff.