Lake Superior

An invasive species is one that is not native and whose introduction causes harm, or is likely to cause harm to Michigan's economy, environment, or human health.

Invasive plants, animals and pests are taking a toll on Wisconsin's lakes, rivers and landscapes. The Department of Natural Resources is working with citizens and partners to slow the spread of invasive species. Through educational outreach, strategic planning and active management we are protecting our environment and economy from invasives.

The purpose of this state program is to curb the spread and minimize harmful effects of nonnative species that can:

1. cause displacement of, or otherwise threaten, native species in their natural communities; or
2. threaten natural resources or their use in the state. 

With the growing concern over the spread of aquatic invasive​ species to Wisconsin’s inland lakes, many lake association members and other concerned citizens are looking for ways to get involved.  The Clean Boats, Clean Waters watercraft inspection program is an opportunity to take a front line defense against the spread of aquatic invasive species.

RIPPLE is a campaign aimed at educating both consumers and retailers about proper containment and disposal methods for plants and animals associated with the pond and pet store industries. RIPPLE focuses on the risks associated with releasing aquatic invasive plants and animals and practices that can reduce the likelihood of establishment.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its federal partners are developing Action Plan III, which will outline priorities and goals for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action (GLRI) for fiscal years 2020-2024.

The first Action Plan Great Lakes Restoration Initiative identified goals, objectives, measurable ecological targets, and specific actions for five focus areas for work in the Great Lakes. The Action Plan was used by federal agencies in the development of the federal budget for Great Lakes restoration in fiscal years 2011-2014. As such, it served as guidance for collaborative restoration work with participants to advance restoration. The Action Plan also helped advance the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement with Canada.

This document details the method used to develop the Aquatic Invasive Species Great Lakes Site Prioritization tool.

This document details the method used to develop the Great Lakes Surveillance Framework Watch List.

The Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative is developing an adaptive management strategy called the Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework (PAMF). This framework will change the way Phragmites is managed throughout the Great Lakes basin and lead to approaches that maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of Phragmites management.

In 2009, the U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation initiated the formation of the Great Lakes Ballast Water Collaborative, in conjunction with the International Joint Commission, to bring together industry and state and federal regulators on the issue of ballast water and invasive species in the region. One of the primary goals of the Collaborative is to share relevant, useful, and accurate information and foster better communication and collaboration among the key stakeholders engaged in the effort to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species.

The purpose of the Great Lakes Hydrilla Collaborative (Collaborative) is to facilitate cooperation and the transfer of knowledge about this highly invasive aquatic plant amongst stakeholders throughout the Great Lakes. The Collaborative will connect the stakeholder community, share advances in science and management, and serve as the primary online resource center for hydrilla-related information.

GLANSIS is an inter-agency, Great Lakes-specific database for Aquatic Nonindigenous Species (ANS) information.

Through the Aquatic Invasive Species Annex of the 2012 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the United States and Canada have committed to “… contribute to the achievement of the General and Specific Objectives of this Agreement. Through this Annex the Parties shall establish a binational strategy to prevent the introduction of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), to control or reduce the spread of existing AIS, and to eradicate, where feasible, existing AIS within the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem.”

The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force works to stop the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) into the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin. Since its inception, the Task Force has coordinated state and provincial efforts to combat AIS through strategic regional action. 

Developed annually since 2010, the action plan is designed to prevent the spread of invasive Asian carp in the Great Lakes. The action plan incorporates advances in the most current science making it a continually evolving foundation for the work of the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee partnership — a collaboration of 27 U.S. and Canadian federal, state, and provincial agencies and organizations.

AsianCarp.us provides up-to-date information on ongoing efforts to prevent Asian carp from becoming established in the Great Lakes and beyond. We invite you to learn more about the work of federal, provincial, state and local partners as we join together to prevent the spread of these destructive fish.

A strategic plan to prevent new invaders from arriving and surviving in the province, to slow or reverse the spread of existing invasive species and to reduce the harmful impacts of existing invasive species.

In 1992, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, established the Invading Species Awareness Program in order to address the increasing threats posed by invasive species in Ontario. Our objectives are to generate education and awareness of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species, address key pathways contributing to introductions and/or spread, and facilitate monitoring and early detection initiatives for invasive species found within Ontario.

The Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species coordinates education, research, management and policy efforts to prevent new AIS from entering the basin and to control and mitigate those AIS populations already established. The Great Lakes Panel is one of six regional panels that report to the federal Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, which coordinates AIS efforts on a federal level.