INVASIVE SPECIES

The 2026 Florida Python Challenge, hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and South Florida Water Management District, begins July 10 and runs through July 19. Participants can compete for $25,000 in prizes, including a $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize, while helping remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem. Registration remains open through the final day of competition.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has restored the 116-acre Rosenow Timber in Shelby County by removing invasive honeysuckle and using controlled burns to promote oak forest growth. Wildlife biologist Doug Chafa reports that woodland plants like wild ginger and Virginia water leaf have returned, providing habitat for turkeys, deer, and migrating birds.

Utah Department of Natural Resources officers and technicians from multiple agencies inspected 9,847 boats and performed 386 decontaminations over the Fourth of July weekend to prevent quagga mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil from spreading. DNR officers cited violations including failure to complete the mussel-aware boater program course and improper drain plug removal.

Inspectors at Montana's Anaconda boat check station prevented a potential ecological disaster by detecting and decontaminating a Minnesota wake boat carrying hundreds of viable zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil. Tom Woolf, FWP's aquatic invasive species bureau chief, emphasized the critical importance of the inspection, noting such boats could permanently damage Montana's waters.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department urges buyers and sellers to inspect boats, docks, lifts, and water equipment for aquatic nuisance species like zebra mussels. Ben Holen, ANS coordinator, emphasizes the importance of following the 21-day out-of-water rule to prevent mussel infestations in North Dakota waters.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department leads efforts to survey and eradicate invasive apple snails from Arizona waterways, partnering with the U.S. Forest Service-Tonto National Forest, OdySea Aquarium, SEALIFE Aquarium, Tempe Parks and Recreation, and the Phoenix Zoo's Trailblazers and ZooTeens Program. A June survey removed nearly 300 snails and destroyed over 8,000 egg masses. Volunteer opportunities are available to help combat this invasive species.

The NotMISpecies webinars, supported by Michigan's Invasive Species Program, explore strategies to prevent invasive species spread through monthly presentations. Topics include managing invasive species in critical dune areas with EGLE's Zach Chamberlin, developing response plans with Katie Grzesiak and Drew Rayner of the DNR, and standardizing boater data collection with the Great Lakes Commission's Theresa Gruninger and Taaja Tucker-Silva.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed June 28 through July 4 as Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week. Over 31 outreach events will be hosted at boat launches across Michigan as part of the 13th annual AIS Landing Blitz, with the Michigan Clean Water Corps also hosting its second annual AIS Detection Blitz to help identify invasive species.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is giving away 100 free Chesapeake Bay blue catfish charter or guided fishing trips valued up to $1,500 each from June 24 through July 13. The giveaway aims to remove invasive blue catfish while supporting Maryland's charter boat industry and encouraging recreational anglers to harvest this problematic species.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed the state's first detection of elm zigzag sawfly in St. Clair County. The invasive Asian insect, identified by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, feeds on elm leaves but poses no significant threat to people, animals, agriculture, or natural resources. Residents are encouraged to report suspected sightings using the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network reporting tool.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources urges boaters and anglers to clean, drain, and dry their equipment to prevent aquatic invasive species from spreading to new water bodies. Jason Euchner, aquatic vegetation management biologist, warns these invasive species can reduce native species and impact outdoor recreation quality.

Indiana DNR's divisions of Forestry and Entomology & Plant Pathology completed aerial treatments in Huntington County on June 19 using SPLAT SM-Organic, a biodegradable, food-grade pheromone product that disrupts spongy moth mating cycles without affecting other organisms.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is urging residents to watch for invasive spotted lanternfly this summer. Confirmed in southeastern Michigan including Jackson County, the pest can stress plants and cause damage. MDARD asks residents to report sightings via the Eyes in the Field tool and work with partners including Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan State University Extension to monitor and manage the spread.

Wildlife Forever, partnering with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Ottawa National Forest, installed 14 solar-powered watercraft cleaning stations at Michigan boat launches to prevent aquatic invasive species spread. The user-operated CD3 stations feature high-pressure air, vacuums, and brushes to help boaters Clean, Drain, and Dry their watercraft, funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department confirmed invasive zebra mussels in Horseshoe Lake, Richland County, after detecting veligers in plankton samples. Aquatic nuisance species coordinator Ben Holen noted follow-up sampling found additional adult mussels. The lake is now Class I ANS Infested waters with emergency rules prohibiting water movement from the site.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks confirmed invasive northern pike in Three Forks Ponds and smallmouth and largemouth bass in Livingston's Sacajawea Lagoon. These species are not native to the upper Missouri or upper Yellowstone river basins and were likely introduced illegally, posing risks to existing native fisheries.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources will conduct aerial mating disruption treatments using SPLAT GM-Organic in Huntington County on June 19 to control spongy moth, an invasive forest pest. A yellow airplane will spray the biodegradable pheromone treatment at sunrise to confuse male moths and prevent mating.

The Michigan Invasive Species Program and North American Invasive Species Management Association are promoting PlayCleanGo Awareness Week (June 6-13) to educate outdoor enthusiasts on preventing invasive species spread. Joanne Foreman, communications specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, emphasizes that simple cleaning habits can help protect endangered wildlife and plants threatened by invasive species.

The Barry, Calhoun, Kalamazoo Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area will pilot the first Michigan release of mile-a-minute weevils in June to control invasive mile-a-minute weed in Calhoun County. The weevil, native to Asia and successfully used in the U.S. since 2004, will be monitored by BCK CISMA staff and Grand Valley State University researchers to assess its effectiveness in Michigan.

Utah Department of Natural Resources officers and Division of Wildlife Resources technicians inspected 8,276 boats and performed 195 decontaminations over Memorial Day weekend to prevent quagga mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil from spreading. The effort involved multiple agencies including Arizona Game and Fish Department and National Park Service, with violations primarily involving failure to complete the mussel-aware boater program course.