Equipping michigan s state agencies with AIS prevention materials and continuation of michigan s clean boats, clean water program

Project abstract: this project will continue and enhance aquatic invasive species (AIS) statewide education and outreach efforts by equipping relevant state of michigan agencies and partners with the education and outreach materials they need to help prevent AIS introduction and spread (activity 1). This proposal will also fund the continued implementation and growth of michigans clean boats, clean waters (cbcw) program mini-grant program (activity 2). Activity 1) equipping state of michigan agencies and partners with AIS education and outreach materials michigan will continue education and outreach initiatives focused on delivering consistent messaging on AIS prevention, early detection, and management to individual citizens, partners, and organizations. Michigan department of environment, great lakes, and energy (egle) in partnership with the michigan department of natural resources (DNR) and other partners such as michigan state university extension will develop, purchase, and print a variety informational materials. Many of these materials will then be distributed to the recreational boaters, anglers, and the general public. Other materials will be used as key pieces of educational displays in prominent locations around the state. Additionally, funds will be used to continue to maintain and repair two mobile boat wash systems owned by egle that are an integral part of AIS education and outreach throughout the state for boaters and anglers during events at boating access sites. Required maintenance during the project period is likely to include new trailer tires, tune-UPS (oil spark plugs filters), and part and equipment replacement (tool sets, boots, jump starters, batteries, etc.). Activity 2) clean boats, clean waters mini-grants michigan state university (MSU) employs an extension educator that leads michigans clean boats, clean waters (cbcw) program. Cbcw includes a mini-grants program for strategic partners who use grant the funds for AIS education and outreach targeting boaters and anglers at the local scale. During the initial year of the mini-grant program in 2021 using a separate funding source, seven projects were funded across the state that included conducting outreach events for boaters, installing signage and decontamination tools at boat ramps, creating a video demonstrating proper AIS decontamination techniques for boaters, and installation of a user-operated waterless cleaning station for boats. In 2022, the mini-grants program was expanded and demand continued to exceed the available funding 12 grants were recently awarded. The cbcw mini-grant program again saw increased interest in 2023 and was able to fund 13 projects. Funds from this proposal are needed to continue meeting demand for these important local AIS education, outreach, and prevention projects in 2024.