LCC Receives Grant for Invasive Species Work
LCC will survey the distribution of invasive species populations in Missisquoi Bay such as water chestnut to aid control and eradication efforts. Photo from chesbayprogram on flickr.com.
The Lake Champlain Committee and environmental consulting firm Arrowwood Environmental have won a competitive grant from the Lake Champlain Basin Program to conduct an invasive species survey of Missisquoi Bay. In recent years, Missisquoi Bay has been the site of a number of new invasions. In 2005 water chestnut (Trapa natans) was found in the Misssisquoi National Wildlife Refuge. In 2009 variable- leaved water milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum) was discovered. Variable-leaved water milfoil has not been seen in the Quebec portion of Missisquoi Bay, but surveys in 2010 left some ambiguity regarding the magnitude of the infestation in the United States portion. “A more comprehensive understanding of the extent and distribution of invasive
species throughout the Bay and the efforts necessary to control them will help us prioritize our control and eradication efforts,” said Mark Sweeny, manager of the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge. “Both the Lake Champlain Committee and Arrowwood Environmental have strong reputations and we anticipate excellent work from the collaboration between them.” Project work will take place spring through fall of this year.
