Aquatic Invasive Species Snapshot Day – 2024
August 10
Join the statewide search for aquatic invasive species!
Follow us on Facebook for event updates and all things invasive species: https://www.facebook.com/uwaisprogram
An Overview of Snapshot Day
Snapshot Day is a statewide, one-day event connecting volunteers, water lovers, and local groups in a search for aquatic invasive species (AIS). You can help protect Wisconsin’s rivers, lakes, and wetlands from these invasive plants and animals that may negatively impact habitat, wildlife, recreation and health. This event is coordinated in partnership with UW-Madison Division of Extension, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, local partners, and YOU!
Check out our story map from 2022 and our blog post of the results of Snapshot Day 2023!
What You’ll Do
You will meet at a local training site of your choosing, hosted by one of our local partners. After a short training on how to identify target aquatic invasive species and how to follow search protocols, volunteers will look for invasive species at critical monitoring sites, and potential invasive species will be verified and cataloged with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to guide species control and conservation management plans. This is a free event and no experience or special equipment is required.
This is event is recommended for ages 8 and up; minors must be accompanied by an adult.
This handbook provides an overview of what to expect when participating as a Snapshot Day Volunteer! It also has information on how to make your own DIY hand scoop that you can bring to Snapshot Day to search for invasive species in the sand/muck/sediment.
A virtual volunteer training was held on August 2nd. It was recorded and can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/4tx4Ls6FCBQ It is strongly recommended to view the training video prior to the event.
Schedule – Day Of
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Sign in at your Snapshot Day location and receive monitoring site assignments.
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM Brief training tailored to your monitoring sites.
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM Search for aquatic invasive species at monitoring sites.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Return to you Snapshot Day location to report your finds!
*Times may vary slightly by location
Locations
You will choose the location where you would like to participate when you register. You will be contacted by your Site Leader with specific details prior to the event.
- Amery – Polk County (Lakeside Shelter at Garfield Town Park on Lake Wapogasset)
- Beloit – Rock County (Beckman Mill Park)
- Cassville – Grant County (Riverside Park Boat Landing)
- Cedarburg – Ozaukee County (Covered Bridge County Park)
- Crivitz – Marinette County (Boat Landing No 8 on Caldron Falls Reservoir)
- Elkhorn – Walworth County (Walworth County Government Center)
- Ellsworth – Pierce County (Summit Hill Park)
- Friendship – Adams County (Adams County Castle Rock Park)
- Hartland – Waukesha County (Nixon Park)
- Janesville – Rock County (Kiwanis Pond Park)
- Jefferson – Jefferson County (Rock River Landing Park)
- Kenosha – Kenosha County (Lincoln Park)
- Kewaunee – Kewaunee County (Selner Park)
- La Crosse – La Crosse County (Myrick Park)
- Lake Tomahawk – Oneida County (Lake Tomahawk Boat Landing)
- Madison – Dane County (Warner Park)
- Manitowish Waters – Vilas County (North Lakeland Discovery Center)
- Manitowoc – Manitowoc County (Henry Schuette Park)
- Merrill – Lincoln County (Prairie Trails Park)
- Oshkosh – Winnebago County (Asylum Point Park)
- Phelps – Vilas County (Lakefront Pines Park)
- Richland Center – Richland County (Old Mill Pond Park)
- Sheboygan – Sheboygan County (Maywood Environmental Park)
- Stockholm – Pepin County (Stockholm Village Park Campground)
- Summit – Douglas County (Amnicon Lake Boat Landing) – event held at 10:30am
- West Bend – Washington County (Sandy Knoll County Park)
- Wild Rose – Waushara County (Wild Rose Fish Hatchery)
- Wisconsin Rapids – Wood County (Nepco Lake County Park) – EVENT HELD AUGUST 9