Aquatic Nuisance Species
About Nuisance Species:
Nuisance Species are aquatic and terrestrial organisms, introduced into new habitats, that produce harmful impacts on aquatic natural resources in these ecosystems and on the human use of these resources. These species threaten the diversity or abundance of native species or the ecological stability of infested waters, or commercial, agricultural, aquacultural or recreational activities dependent on such waters.
Invasive species are spread across Vermont by overland transport of watercraft, trailers, fishing and recreation equipment. So far, the Waterbury Reservoir appears to be free of invasive Eurasian Watermilfoil, but it is infested with Brittle Naiad (aquatic invasives) as well as Honeysuckle and Japanese Knotweed (terrestrial invasives).
Goal of the Public Access Greeter Program:
The goal of the State of Vermont's Public Access Greeter Program is to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by establishing a well-trained network of public access greeters who:
- Educate recreational boaters about the harmful effects of invasive species and what they can do to prevent spread;
- Provide courtesy boat inspections to help boaters "do the right thing" to prevent the spread; and
-Stop invasive species introductions.
Waterbury Reservoir's Boating Guide:
http://www.vtstateparks.com/pdfs/waterbury_boating.pdf
*Source: Vt State Parks
What Your Support Will Do:
This fundraising campaign supports the Friends of Waterbury Reservoir's 25% grant match requirement for our 2016 grant from the VT Department of Environmental Conservation's Public Access Greeter Program . We will hire a part-time person who will serve one ore more days per week athe t Blush Hill and Waterbury Dam access areas from May to September 2016.