Lake-loving volunteers are needed on Saturday, Aug. 10 to search for starry stonewort, an aquatic invasive algae that can spread easily and grow into dense mats at and below the lake surface.
About two dozen sites around the state, including in Dakota County, will be checked for starry stonewort and other aquatic invasive species. Dakota County volunteers will meet at 8:30 a.m. in the Discovery Room, Lebanon Hills Visitor Center, 860 Cliff Road in Eagan, for training before heading to nearby lakes to look for starry stonewort. Starry Trek volunteers will return to Lebanon Hills Visitor Center to report their findings.
No experience or equipment is necessary. The event is free, but registration is requested by Aug. 4. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All activities will be outdoors.
Starry stonewort is an invasive algae that was first found in Lake Koronis in 2015 and has since spread to 30 Minnesota lakes. Early detection of this species is critical for control.
This volunteer work is important beyond checking for starry stonewort. Previous Starry Trek volunteers discovered a new population of zebra mussels in Lake Isabelle in Hastings.
The county is partnering with the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center. Learn more about starry stonewort at www.maisrc.umn.edu.
This program is supported by the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.
For volunteer registration and a list of sites, visit www.starrytrek.org.