Wisconsin Waterfowl Association Helps to Stop Aquatic Invasive Species

Story from the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s October 2018 Newsletter

WWA Hunter’s Boot Cleaning Stations: Aquatic Invasive Species Control/Education Update

In 2015, Wisconsin Waterfowl Association (WWA) was a major partner in a grant-funded experiment, placing educational boot & wader cleaning stations out at major public access points around Wisconsin. WWA’s stations were placed in areas around Green Bay, Horicon Marsh, Big Muskego Lake (pictured at right), and other public properties in Waukesha County. The stations provide real tools for hunters to use to clean their footwear & gear, to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, but perhaps more importantly, provide information via extensive educational signage – raising awareness of the entire issue for sportspersons who may not have even considered the consequences of their movements from one hunting site to another.

Last week, WWA completed the construction of another 12 of these stations, for future use by our Adopt A Wildlife Area teams, as well as other chapter outreach activities in local communities. We were fortunate to receive major in-kind assistance from Chaseburg Manufacturing, the Coon Valley, WI-based manufacturer of the “Big Boot Scrushers” that are the centerpiece of the stations, along with UW Extension/WDNR, who are providing the informational signs, that will top each station, once our order arrives later this month. Once that part of the assembly is completed, starting next year, these stations will begin to populate the landscape, providing service & information to all who see them, and utilize the public access points they’ll be stationed near. Our hearty “thanks” to these partners for helping make these stations a reality!