• Citizen Lake Monitoring Network (formerly Self-Help Citizen Lake Monitoring), 
WDNR, University of Wisconsin-Extension and Wisconsin Lakes Partnership. With 
over 1,200 trained citizen volunteers statewide, project goals are (1) to collect high 
quality data, (2) to educate and empower volunteers, and (3) to share data and 
knowledge. Volunteers learn to identify exotics and are the eyes for water biologists in 
helping to monitor the state’s 15,081 lakes. Volunteers monitor for EWM, curlyleaf 
pondweed, purple loosestrife, rusty crayfish, zebra mussels, and waterfleas. 
• Wisconsin Invasive Plants Reporting and Prevention Project, WDNR, University of 
Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Herbarium, and others. The initiative focuses on early 
detection and rapid response. Special public recognition is given to those who are among 
the first to find new invasive species in Wisconsin. In addition, collected specimens 
become part of the permanent collection of the Wisconsin State Herbarium. 
• AIS Grants, WDNR. This program awards grants to local municipalities, on a 50% 
cost-share basis, for AIS control, including prevention, eradication of pioneer 
populations, planning and education, and restoration. 
A.50.3. CLIMATE CHANGE CONCERNS 
• Over the next century many species found in northern Illinois could survive in 
Wisconsin. New species may take over with any shift in climate, particularly if native 
species cannot adapt. Fish are especially vulnerable. For example, trout have a narrow 
tolerance range for temperature; if the temperature in headwater streams rises by three to 
five degrees, those trout may be threatened and niches may open up for AIS such as 
Asian carp. 
A.50.4. CLIMATE CHANGE ACTIONS 
• A professor at the Center for Limnology has been funded to study climate change 
impacts. 
A.50.5. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION USED 
• Studies have been conducted on biocontrol (native beetles) for EWM. 
• Pilot tests have been conducted on a dozen or more lakes to lessen the impact from AIS. 
• Database management captures all monitoring data and watercraft inspection. Research 
on building a system is ongoing. 
• Model predictions are being conducted to determine which lakes are more vulnerable to 
AIS. 
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