Since Minnesota began its initial efforts to contain aquatic invasive species in the 1980s the list has grown. "About thirty aquatic invasive species that are pretty high profile... cause harmful impacts here in Minnesota and across the Midwest," says Doug Jensen, the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Planner for the Minnesota DNR.
Though the numbers haven't been going in the right direction over the past few decades, additions of inspectors and educators within the DNR give cause for a hopeful future. "There's [been] a lot of outreach over the years to get the message out," says Jensen. Decontamination units and volunteers have also been introduced to combat the spread.
One of the newest efforts from the DNR involves having people Take the Pledge. The intention of the pledge is to showcase an on-line community of residents who are committed to preventing and reducing the spread of aquatic invasive species. "We are seeing that the DNR in many counties are reporting that there's... sometimes even 99% compliance among boaters and anglers, and this means that prevention is possible."
