AIS Pierce County

The Ecological Restoration Institute is involved with the Wisconsin DNR to monitor for aquatic invasive species (AIS) within Pierce County. We are recruiting volunteers to help with discovering these aquatic invasive plants and animals that reside within the county in an effort to prevent damage to our native freshwater ecosystems. Continue reading to find out how you may be involved! 

AIS monitoring involves a few different project areas 

Project RED - A program developed by the River Alliance of Wisconsin that is designated for rivers. The River Early Detection or Project RED allows volunteers to screen on their own time after they have received training and supplies. Each volunteer would be assigned a section of a river and asked to monitor at least twice over the summer. 

Citizen Lake Monitoring Network - Part of the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Extension Lakes, CLMN seeks volunteers to screen for not only AIS, but data that helps indicate the health of your local lake system. Training and equipment is provided and requests volunteers to collect data every 10-14 days during the summer.

Outreach - Distributing communication and building awareness for AIS, it takes every one of us to help keep our water resources clear from invasive species!

Resources on common aquatic invasive species

• Wetland Invasive Plant Species
• Aquatic Invasive Species 

While we are seeking volunteers for regular monitoring, you may have seen some invasive species already and you are encouraged to report what you have found. Follow this link for instructions and a form to report your sightings. Completed forms and specimens or pictures can be forwarded to either coordinator to verify.

Your Pierce County AIS Coordinators:

Contact Kelsey Cowart - ERI Program Manager or

Kevyn Juneau, PhD - Associate Professor in PES

Please email if you would like to be involved with monitoring or if you would like to receive communication through our newsletter!