Registration is now open for Michigan’s 9^th annual Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz.  [Please note – The event may need to be modified or even cancelled pending developments in the COVID-19 situation.] This year’s event period will be from July 1 – July 10, 2022.  Event hosts can choose any date/s within the event period in which to host the event at a local boating access site.  To register your local landing blitz event, please send Kevin Walters (waltersk3@michigan.gov) the following information by May 31, 2022:

• • Host name and affiliation (Both individual host name and lake association, CISMA, etc.)
  • Location (lake/waterbody, county, ramp location)
  • Date/s & time for your local event/s
  • Mailing address where you would like outreach materials sent

As a reminder, the Landing Blitz is a collaborative outreach campaign to raise awareness about preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) through recreational boating and related activities. This year’s Landing Blitz will build on previous events.  Local volunteer partners will deliver consistent messaging (“Clean, Drain, Dry”, etc.) about preventing the introduction and spread of AIS from the movement of watercraft and equipment between water bodies at both public and private boating access sites throughout the state. Media involvement (press releases, local news stories, social media, etc.) will also be used to create a larger impact.  This year’s event will again be a Great Lakes Regional AIS Landing Blitz and include events not only in Michigan, but also events in each of the other Great Lakes states and provinces.

Below is a brief summary of what volunteer hosts are committing to by participating in the Landing Blitz.

What volunteers (lake associations, etc.) do:

At least 1 month in advance of the event:

• Select a boating access site/launch ramp and get any need approvals from site manager.
• Choose a date/s and time within the event period (Events can range from 1 hour on 1 specific date to several hours over multiple days).
• Assemble a landing blitz volunteer team (3-5 people is a good number).
• Register your landing blitz event by emailing Kevin Walters (EGLE) at waltersk3@michigan.gov.
• Share information about the event via social media, local media and neighborhood groups to help promote awareness.
• Receive your messaging information and outreach materials from EGLE via postal mail at the address indicated on your registration.
• Optional: Arrange for a boat wash to be present during your event.

June:

• Tune in to the pre-event teleconference to have questions answered and hear more about the event details. Teleconference information (date, time, call-in number) will be provided to all registered hosts sometime in May.

Just before the event:

• Meet with your volunteer team before the event and share messaging info.

Event day/s:

• Set up a table, chairs and maybe a canopy.
• Talk to boaters and share the importance of cleaning boats and gear to prevent the spread of AIS.
• Keep track of how many boaters you spoke to.

Post-event:

• Submit the event survey.

What EGLE does:

• Handle statewide coordination and promotion of the events
• Register event hosts
• Send out packets with messaging information and outreach materials. NOTE – The quantity of materials each host receives is dependent on availability and the total number hosts that need materials.
• Use statewide press and social media to advertise the overall AIS Landing Blitz event (Specific locations and dates for individual efforts are NOT included, as these can change with weather, etc.)
• Host a pre-event teleconference call to answer any questions and make sure all hosts are comfortable with the messaging and logistics of the events.
• Obtain Governor’s proclamation of “AIS Awareness Week” to coincide with Landing Blitz event period.

For more information, please contact Kevin Walters (waltersk3@michigan.gov) with EGLE