“We’re so excited that volunteers have already pulled more than 3,500 pounds of invasive European frog-bit from Michigan’s waters through Huron Pines’ Frog-Bit Challenge,” explains Dylan Goodell, Huron Pines AmeriCorps member. “By hand-pulling frog-bit from shallow shoreline areas of rivers and lakes, these caring individuals are helping to keep our Great Lakes ecosystems healthy.”
The Frog-Bit Challenge has been a summer-long effort to keep invasive European frog-bit, with its small heart-shaped lily pads and white flowers, from taking over important shoreline habitat. Frog-bit forms dense mats that can prevent other plants from growing and clog up shallow, slow-moving waters like those in the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary. This disruptive change can greatly impact the native plants and animals that rely on healthy shoreline habitat. Frog-bit also negatively impacts human activities like boating and swimming.
Good thing there’s still time to volunteer and fight back against frog-bit through the 2016 Frog-Bit Challenge! Contact joy@huronpines.org to find out how to get involved and get information about ideal pulling locations.
Frog-Bit Challenge participants and other community members are also invited to help us wrap up the Challenge with a celebration on Thursday, September 22 at Alpena’s Duck Park from 10:00am-2:00pm. Anyone with an interest in pulling frog-bit or learning more about invasive species is encouraged to join in the fun! Attendees can enjoy a picnic lunch and canoe/kayak rentals while participating in fun frog-bit focused competitions. Awards will also be given to volunteers who pulled the most frog-bit over the summer. For event planning, RSVPs are kindly requested to rsvp@huronpines.org.
The Frog-Bit Challenge is being sponsored by Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, a company that operates hydroelectric dams on the Thunder Bay River. Their investment in the healthy natural resources of Northeast Michigan speaks to their dedication to working cooperatively with others to provide safe and environmentally sound services for the public good.
Funding is also being provided by Alpena’s Besser Foundation, a private nonprofit corporation that aims to assist in projects and programs related to the welfare of Alpena citizens. Huron Pines thanks them for their investment in Alpena’s amazing waters.
Huron Pines is a nonprofit organization with a mission to protect the Great Lakes by conserving the forests, lakes and streams of Northeast Michigan. Huron Pines is an equal opportunity provider. Learn more about our work to benefit water, wildlife and community by visiting huronpines.org.