The fight to save Minnesota’s beloved lakes and rivers from aquatic invasive species is long-running, but a new partnership between the Mississippi Headwater Board and Fishing The WildSide has forged fresh battle plans to stop these insidious invaders in their tracks.
At the heart of these efforts lies the campaign “Changing Minnesota Traditions,” which aims to enlist lake lovers from all user groups in the war on harmful exotic species ranging from zebra mussels to Eurasian milfoil. “The message Clean-Drain-Dry has resonated with many Minnesota anglers, but the challenge we’ve learned from boat access surveys is the vast majority of recreational lake users are unaware of what can be done to protect our natural resources,” says Fishing The WildSide founder Chip Leer.
“Our goal is to educate and engage everyone, particularly non-fishing enthusiasts like recreational boaters, pontoon owners, water skiers, wake boarders, swimmers, canoeists, kayakers, jet skiers and hydrofoilers,” he continues. “By taking a few simple precautions, we can preserve Minnesota’s rich aquatic resources for future generations to enjoy.”
Changing Minnesota Traditions encourages these efforts by delivering a message of hope. “Everybody thinks it’s all doom and gloom, but in reality only 3 percent of lakes are infested,” says Leer. “We’re not into fear mongering. We want people to celebrate the quality of our incredible water resources and make simple lifestyle changes to keep the remaining 97 percent pristine.
Toward that end, the group created a television series airing this quarter on Fox Sports North and other local stations, along with educational videos and a multi-faceted social media campaign targeting the different user groups via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The common theme among all touchpoints is a positive educational message that empowers viewers to take ownership of—and protect—the state’s treasured resources.
“Many efforts to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species have taken a defensive approach, drawing a line in the sand at boat landings on the edge of AIS-free lakes,” adds Leer. “We’re taking the offensive by arming all water sports enthusiasts with basic strategies to prevent invaders from ever leaving infested waters in the first place.”
For more information on the Changing Minnesota Traditions campaign, Mississippi Headwaters Board and how you can help stop the spread of invasive species, visit http://mississippiheadwaters.org/fishing.html.
Based in Walker, Minnesota, noted fishing authority and outdoor communicator Chip Leer operates Fishing the WildSide, which offers a full suite of promotional, product development and consultation services. For more information, call (218) 547-4714 or email Chip@fishingthewildside.net