Wildlife Forever Leads the War on Carp™ campaign with support from AFTCO

Immediate Release:

Contact: Zach Burnside, Invasive Species Program Coordinator ZBurnside@WildlifeForever.org

White Bear Lake, MN – Wildlife Forever is excited to announce new leadership of the War on Carp campaign raising awareness of invasive carps and needs for enhanced management and control. Invasive carps such as Silver, Bighead, and Black, are expanding their range and have been proven to wreak havoc on lakes, rivers, and local economies.  Through renewed conservation marketing and public outreach efforts, Wildlife Forever and AFTCO (American Fishing Tackle Company) plan to expand the War on Carp education campaign, providing new tools and resources to educate the public in support of increased state and federal management.

“We are thrilled to work with AFTCO as we advance this program and efforts to stop the spread of invasive carp,” said Pat Conzemius, President & CEO of Wildlife Forever. “The War on Carp campaign was started through the civic leadership of Mr. Wade White, former Judge Executive of Lyon County, KY, now serving as Board Director for the Tennessee Valley Authority, working for Farmers Bank and Trust. Wade’s visionary efforts inspired federal legislation that resulted in millions of dollars for carp removal and mitigation projects.”

Through partnership with AFTCO, Wildlife Forever will be focused on giving home to a new campaign website, social media presence, and development of educational resources. In addition, sales of the War on Carp t-shirts will continue to support the national program and advocacy efforts.

“AFTCO is excited to work with Wildlife Forever on this important conservation program. Invasive species are impacting fisheries across the country, and we are committed to investing in organizations dedicated to educating anglers and protecting the resource,” said Casey Shedd, President of AFTCO.

The War on Carp™ is a national campaign to educate the public on threats posed by invasive carps. Coordinated messaging focuses on strategic content, marketing communications, advocacy, and educational tools on how to prevent and help manage.  To learn how you can get involved, join the War on Carp mailing list. Info@WildlifeForever.org

About AFTCO: Family owned and operated, the American Fishing Tackle Company (AFTCO) represents unparalleled quality, performance, and reliability when it counts most. Worn across the globe, AFTCO fishing clothing is designed to handle the harshest elements. AFTCO and the Shedd family contribute at least 10% of company profits towards organizations and causes working to protect our oceans, waterways, fish populations, and access to ensure future generations can enjoy the spaces and sports they love.

About Wildlife Forever: For over 35 years, Wildlife Forever works to conserve America’s outdoor heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat and science-based management of fish and wildlife. Wildlife Forever is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to investing resources on the ground. Recent audits reveal that 96% of every dollar supports their award-winning conservation programs. Join Today and learn more. www.WildlifeForever.org.

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Wildlife Forever Unveils the Access Enhancement

Guidebook to Prevent Aquatic Invasive Species

Contact: Zach Burnside, Invasive Species Program Coordinator ZBurnside@WildlifeForever.org

White Bear Lake, MN – Wildlife Forever announces a new, innovative approach to aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention designed to evaluate watercraft accesses and integrate tools to help boaters and anglers.  The Clean Drain Dry Access Enhancement Guidebook outlines a new program that takes a comprehensive review and evaluation process to determine the best suited cleaning stations, hand tools, and modernized signage to engage, educate, and empower.

Endorsed by the American Sport Fishing Association, Yamaha Rightwaters, Major League Fishing, Bass Anglers Sportsman’s Society, National Professional Anglers Association, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service, the program is poised to help county, state, and federal agencies, modernize access with much needed infrastructure to prevent spread of current AIS and those yet to arrive.

“We’ve done enough surveys and ‘I promise pledges’ to know, boaters and anglers just need the tools. We’re a ‘toolcentric’ audience and there are no excuses as to why every boat access across America isn’t supplied with basic cleaning and AIS prevention tools,” said Pat Conzemius, President & CEO of Wildlife Forever. “We know agencies often lack capacity; this partnership approach can truly make a difference.”

Click HERE to View the Guidebook

Organizations interested in Wildlife Forever’s access enhancement program and services can email or call to learn more.

The Clean Drain Dry Initiative™ is the national campaign to educate outdoor recreational users on how to prevent the spread of invasive species. Coordinated invasive species messaging focuses on strategic content, marketing communications, and outreach tools on how to prevent. To learn how you can get involved or sponsor, contact:  Zach Burnside: ZBurnside@WildlifeForever.org

About Wildlife Forever: Our mission is to conserve America’s outdoor heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat and science-based management of fish and wildlife. Wildlife Forever is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to investing resources on the ground. Recent audits reveal that 96% of every dollar supports our award-winning conservation programs. Join Today and learn more about the Art of Conservation® programs, Clean Drain Dry Initiative™ and Prairie City USA® at www.WildlifeForever.org.

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  Zebra Mussel

There have been reports of people cleaning up zebra mussels on their beach and then taking them to other areas (other people’s property) and dumping them.

We contacted Mark Ranweiler, Regional AIS Specialist for our region of the state.  His response:  “It is illegal to transport without a proper permit and they should be disposed of properly and not on someone else’s private property.” Below is a web link to the permit to be used in the transport of invasive species as supplied by Mark Ranweiler.

Click HERE to Access Permit Form

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Wish to Dispose of Zebra Mussels Legally?

Click HERE to Find Out How

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Click HERE for Helpful Information on the Responsibility of Owners and Their Lake Equipment

Click HERE to View an April 26, 2020 Duluth News Tribune Article on Efforts to Slow Aquatic Invasive Species Are Working

Minnesota AIS by the Numbers: Some Good News!

8% of Minnesota lakes have verified invasive species.

3.5% of Minnesota lakes have verified zebra mussels.

97% of 511,000 boaters checked in 2019 at boat landings had removed weeds and vegetation from their trailer.

96% of 511,000 boaters checked in 2019 at boat landings had removed the drain plug and livewell water form their boat.

81% of trailered boats checked at DNR roadside checkpoints complied with state AIS laws.

95% of adult zebra mussels were killed by an experimental treatment in a 160-acre bay of Lake Minnetonka.

100% of zebra mussel larvae were killed in the same test project

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AIS Prevention During 2019 Otter Tail County

Click HERE For 2019 Project List

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Zebra Mussels’ Best Friend:

Wake Board Boats a University of Minnesota Study Finds!

ST. PAUL — The best way for invasive zebra mussel larvae to get from one Minnesota lake to another is aboard wake board boats, a new study has found

Click HERE to Watch Video

You can help prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species!

>  Volunteer to monitor a access for two hours ONE weekend and hand out AIS prevention brochures

>  Volunteer to assist with Zebra_Mussel_Monitoring Initiative

> Communicate,  Communicate,  Communicate the risks and impacts of aquatic invasive species

DNR Documentary: Aquatic Invasive Species – Minnesota Waters At Risk (25 minutes)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IobWB1yZHm8&feature=player_detailpage