Multi-National Campaign Reminds Boaters To Help Protect Their Lakes

Original Story: Erin McFarlane, UWSP Extenstion Lakes

Clean Boats, Clean Waters (CBCW) watercraft inspectors across the state will work together to educate the public about aquatic invasive species (AIS) during the Great Lakes Landing Blitz, June 29 – July 12, 2026. Thousands of boaters and anglers will be out enjoying Wisconsin’s waters during the July 4th holiday, which means busier boat landings and higher potential for spreading AIS. Enthusiastic CBCW participants are stepping up to greet landing visitors, demonstrate the AIS prevention steps, and answer questions about aquatic invasive species.

“The Landing Blitz is a key part of our statewide AIS prevention efforts, since the holiday draws both frequent and infrequent boaters to the water, allowing us to educate and empower a lot of people,” says Erin McFarlane, Statewide Clean Boats, Clean Waters Educator with Extension Lakes.

Wisconsin’s AIS program launched the first Landing Blitz campaign in 2008 and, thanks to the energy and commitment of our CBCW participants, the outreach event was a great success! Nearby water-rich states took notice, and in 2018 the event became a collaborative education effort among all of the Great Lakes states and provinces. This annual event is coordinated through an international partnership of federal, state, and provincial agencies and Indigenous Nations with the support of the Great Lakes Commission and others.

“This campaign displays the strong commitment the people of Wisconsin have to help preserve the amazing legacy of our waters. Every year hundreds of people voluntarily help raise AIS awareness and emphasize the importance of boaters to take action,” says McFarlane.

We can all protect lakes and rivers while we enjoy Wisconsin’s waters! Everyone should follow these prevention steps, required by state law, to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in our waters:

  • Inspect boats, trailers and equipment before and after use.
  • Remove all mud and attached aquatic plants and animals.
  • Drain all water from boats, vehicles and equipment, including livewells and fish buckets.
  • Never move plants or live fish away from a waterbody.
  • Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.

To learn more about invasive species and their impacts on Wisconsin’s waters and economy, visit the DNR’s Invasive Species webpage.

Photo Credit: Derek Thorn, Erin McFarlane

Questions? Comments? Contact Chris Acy, the AIS Coordinator covering Brown, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Winnebago Counties at (920) 460-3674 or chris@fwwa.org!

Follow the Fox Wolf Watershed Alliance on our Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance Facebook page or @fox_wolf_watershed_alliance on Instagram! You can also sign-up for email updates at fwwa.org.

The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is an independent nonprofit organization that identifies and advocates effective policies and actions that protect, restore, and sustain water resources in the Fox-Wolf River Basin.

Reporting invasive species is a first step in containing their spread. Maintaining and restoring our waters and landscapes can reduce the impacts even when we don’t have other management options to an invasive species.