Aquatic nuisance species continue to be a natural resource challenge in the US, especially in the great lakes

This Project Grant award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (CFDA 15.662) program provides $799,981 to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to address aquatic invasive species challenges in the Great Lakes region. The key objectives include:

1. Developing and delivering outreach tools for non-motorized boaters (kayakers and canoeists) on aquatic invasive species prevention and early detection.

2. Creating educational resources and providing training on the identification and rapid response for starry stonewort, a newly arrived aquatic invasive plant, for stakeholder groups such as harbor masters and land managers.

3. Assessing the distribution and management options for starry stonewort in Chicago's recreational boating harbors, as well as developing environmental DNA (eDNA) methods to detect the species across Illinois waterways linked by boat traffic.

4. Predicting the future spread of the red swamp crayfish in Illinois and the Great Lakes region based on factors like water temperature, presence of predators, and competition with native crayfish species.

The award period is from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027, and includes sub-awards to the University of Illinois and Loyola University of Chicago to support the eDNA methods development and other research components.

Strides have been made to address lingering and necessary priorities. The objectives of this grant is as follows:A1: aquatic invasive species outreach to non-motorized boatersobjectives: develop aquatic invasive species outreach tools targeted to non-motorized boaters (i.e., kayakers and canoeists). Deliver outreach tools to kayakers and canoeists through transportzero.ORG, social media, collaboration with partners, and one-on-one interactions at hobbyist group meetings and tradeshows.A2: early detection rapid response resources and training for starry stonewort (nitellopsis obtusa)objectives: create and disseminate starry stonewort (nitellopsis obtusa) outreach tools (e.g., identification cards, signs for boat launches and harbors). Provide a starry stonewort identification and rapid response workshop for relevant stakeholder groups such as northeastern illinois harbor masters and land managers.A3: native shoreline planting guide phase 2OBJECTIVES: perform a needs assessment of landowners for information about native shoreline planting by convening two in-person meetings or workshops and using social science approaches to identify important factors influencing adoption. Present results of needs assessment at a local or regional conference. Deliver shoreline planting guide information to landowners, lake river interest groups, and lake management businesses through an online portal and audience-specific one-on-one interactions. B1: distribution and management options for starry stonewort (nitellopsis obtusa) in chicago harbors objectives: determine the distribution of starry stonewort in chicagos recreational boating harbors. Research past invasions and management efforts for starry stonewort to determine long-term management options that would reduce the risk of further spread. Support outreach and edrr guidance to stakeholders for how this newly arrived invader can be managed.B2: develop environmental DNA (edna) methods for starry stonewort samplingobjectives: determine regions of candidate genes that differentiate starry stonewort (nitellopsis obtusa) from other aquatic plant species. Develop primers that selectively identify and amplify starry stonewort genetic material. Validate primers in lab and field settings. Deploy edna methods in chicago harbors and IL waterbodies that are closely linked by boat traffic. Publish all results including the primer sequence so that edna methods for starry stonewort can be implemented across the great lakes region.B3: predict future spread of red swamp crayfish (procambarus clarkii) across illinois and the great lakes region based on water temperature, presence of predators, and presence of competitorsobjectives: determine the relationship between water temperature and persistence of red swamp crayfish in the chicago region. Determine how water temperature affects the response of red swamp crayfish to threat stimuli (e.g., perceived presence of predators). Determine how water temperature affects the outcome of competition between rusty crayfish (faxonius rusticus) and red swamp crayfish. Based on results from the work described above, develop a predictive model for red swamp crayfish spread that considers factors including, but not limited to, water temperature, presence of predatory fishes, and presence of rusty crayfish.