Original Story: UW-Madison Extension

On August 8, 2026, almost 200 people who love Wisconsin’s waters came together for the 13th annual Aquatic Invasive Species Snapshot Day—a statewide search for aquatic invasive species (AIS). From rivers and streams to lakes and wetlands, volunteers fanned out across 125 different waterbodies in Wisconsin, helping monitor the health of the places they care about most.

The event, coordinated by UW—Madison Extension in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), Extension Lakes, and dozens of county and nonprofit organizations, is part science, part stewardship, and part community gathering

Building connection through AIS

Volunteers started their morning at one of 26 meeting stations across the state, where they learned how to spot invasive species like Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussels, and freshwater golden clams. After a hands-on training in identification and search protocols, volunteers headed out in small groups to survey 161 sites throughout Wisconsin. Any potential findings were documented and shared with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, supporting ongoing efforts to detect, control, and manage these species.

For many, the day was about more than data collection. It was about connection, not only to the natural world, but to each other. One participant shared:

“It was really wonderful to do this with friends. What an amazing way to connect with friends– doing something useful, meaningful, and important. I loved it. Can’t wait to do it again.”

Another volunteer reflected on the sense of purpose that comes from contributing:

“Being an avid outdoorsman, I cherish our state’s natural resources and want to protect them. The opportunity to really delve into what is really in our outdoor environment gives me an even greater appreciation for it. It’s very enriching to meet and work with like-minded people for a common cause.”

Protecting our waters

This year’s findings highlighted the importance of that work: AIS were detected at 61% of monitoring sites. All the data collected feeds into Wisconsin’s statewide water quality database, SWIMS, helping resource managers track invasive species and plan for the future.

Beyond the science, Snapshot Day is a reminder of what can be accomplished when people come together. As one volunteer put it:

“Snapshot [D]ay was a great opportunity to learn about aquatic invasive species and enjoy some beautiful natural areas.”

To every volunteer, partner organization, and site leader—thank you for making this year’s Snapshot Day a success! Your energy and dedication keep Wisconsin’s waters healthy for everyone.

Want to see more highlights from the day? Check Out the photos on the UW-Madison Extension blog page!

Photo Credit: Polk County, UW-Madison Extension, Chris Acy

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.