Quagga/Zebra Mussel News

Looking for ways to keep your kids creatively engaged? We're accepting submissions for the 8th Annual California Invasive Species Action Week Youth Art Contest. This year's theme is "Be an Invasive Species Detective." We're looking for art that shows how young people can use their powers of observation to help stop the spread of invasive species. We encourage students to get creative with submissions and use any medium they'd like, including but not limited to drawing, painting, animation, and video.

The art contest is open to grades 2-12. Entries will be placed into three grade divisions and three winners selected from each division. Department of Fish and Wildlife staff will select one contestant to receive the Invasive Species Program Choice Award. Winners will be announced on CDFW's Facebook page during California Invasive Species Action Week, June 5-13, 2021.

Deadline: May 5, 2021

Submission instructions

The following information is being forwarded on behalf of Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Virtual Training - Level II

Upcoming Classes:

• Virtual Training March 23 - 25, 2021, 8:00 a.m. - NOON (3 days): Zoom register here.
• Virtual Training April 6 - 8, 2021 8:00 a.m. - NOON (3 days): Zoom register here.
• Virtual Training April 20 - 22, 2021 8:00 a.m. - NOON (3 days): Zoom register here.

The training includes:

1. Introduction and Western State AIS Programs
2. Biology (Zebra/Quagga mussel and other Aquatic Invasive Species)
3. Watercraft 101
4. Inspection Procedures and practice
5. Triggers for decontamination and Step-by-step procedures.

Student Manual (PDF)

For any questions, please contact: “Quagga D” Davis, (702) 236-3814 or quaggadee@cox.net.

For more information, go to Level 2 Inspector and Decontaminator Training.

The following information is being forwarded on behalf of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force requests proposals to build upon previous assessments and evaluate aspects of the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! campaign, Clean Drain Dry Initiative™, and PlayCleanGo campaign to determine what messages and delivery strategies are most effective to achieve desired behavioral changes. It is the intent that the results of this assessment will be used by the ANS Task Force, regional ANS panels, states, and partners to produce a national communications and marketing framework that increases the effectiveness and reach of outreach campaigns and encourages prevention behaviors to stop the spread of invasive species through recreational activities.

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: F21AS00229

Applications should be submitted electronically using the GrantSolutions system. Applications are due by midnight Eastern Time on March 10, 2021.

Questions may be directed to Susan Pasko, US Fish and Wildlife Service at (703) 358-2466 or susan_pasko@fws.gov.