Take a Survey to Help Research on Aquatic Invasive Species

Written by: Dave Kumlien, director of the TU’s AIS Program

Dave Kumlien, director of the Aquatic Invasive Species Program scans the Madison River looking for risers. Dave wants you to take an online survey to help his research. photo by Phil Monahan

Dear Fellow Trout Anglers,

Scientists agree that second only to habitat loss, aquatic invasive species (AIS) pose the greatest threat to the decline of native aquatic species in North America. The spread of already established AIS, and the impacts of new AIS invasions combined with rapid climate change is expected to increase AIS problems and will have a significant negative impact on efforts to conserve and protect threatened and listed native species across the country. A striking example of AIS impacts has occurred in Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park where two AIS, lake trout and whirling disease have combined to cause a 90 percent decline in the world’s largest refuge of native Yellowstone cutthroat trout.

Trout Unlimited’s AIS Program Director Dave Kumlien has worked closely with researchers from Illinois State University to develop an aquatic invasive species survey. The purpose of the survey is help TU Science and the TU National Leadership Council identify priorities and help develop AIS policy.

We need your help and ask that you take 7-9 minutes and take the online survey. No personal information is collected, and your participation is very important. If you know of a fellow trout angler who would be interested, please feel free to recommend the survey to them. The survey will be active from January 1, 2012 through the end of February 2012. We’d ask that you take the survey only once. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Dave Kumlien

Director, Trout Unlimited Aquatic Invasive Species Program