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New Invasive Species Coordinator

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Emma Antolos

 

New aquatic invasive species coordinator in Crawford County

By Ted Pennekamp

 

There is a new aquatic invasive species coordinator in the Crawford County Land Conservation Department. Emma Antolos, 25, has taken over for the departed Ben Wegleitner. 

Emma, who is originally from the state of New York, had her first full day on the job on June 20. She will be working to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in a five-county region including La Crosse, Vernon, Richland, Sauk and Crawford counties.

“I’ll be looking at the streams in our area and working with different groups to take preventative measures and to help educate anglers and boaters,” said Emma, who is part of Southwest Badger RC&D, a non-profit organization which receives funding through the Wisconsin DNR. 

In addition to monitoring streams, Emma will help to set up control efforts where invasive species are found. She will also be at several boat landings this summer to tell anglers about the importance of bait laws as well as the prevention of invasive species and disease.

Emma noted that anglers and boaters can take some simple steps to stop aquatic hitchhikers and thereby prevent the spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species from the Mississippi River into other bodies of water. Wisconsin law requires that boaters should inspect boats, trailers and equipment; remove all attached aquatic plants and animals; drain all water from boats, vehicles and equipment; and never move plants or live fish from one water body to another.

Emma said that one point of focus will be New Zealand mud snails, which are relatively new to the area, having first been found in Dane County in 2013.

“New Zealand mud snails can reproduce asexually,” said Emma. “So, all it takes is one small snail to start a population in a particular area.”

She said that trout anglers and boaters should scrub all equipment and waders to prevent the spread of New Zealand mud snails from one water body to another and one stream to another. Trout anglers often go from one stream to another on the same day, and thus, can unwittingly transport mud snails, Japanese hops and other invasives. Spraying one’s waders or other gear with a solution of one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water would be good before going to a second trout stream. Waders or boots hung up to dry between one fishing day and another also helps. New Zealand mud snails are very small and hard to notice. Spraying one’s boat occasionally with the bleach and water solution is also good. Emma said that boat anglers can also dispose of unwanted bait in the trash and they can buy minnows from a Wisconsin bait dealer.

Various events that Emma said she will be attending include Fourth of July Blitzes, AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) Paddling events, a Teach Project Red citizen science program and smart mowing programs.

Emma received her undergraduate degree at Binghamton University in upstate New York and her masters degree in environmental science at Syracuse University. She then worked at preventing invasive species at steward stations on various lakes in the Adirondacks. 

Now that she is working out of the Crawford County Land Conservation Office, she is getting to know the area and the residents.

“I love it,” said Emma. “I just drove up Highway 35 to La Crosse County and back. The drive along the bluffs is really beautiful. It reminds me of upstate New York and the Hudson River Valley a little bit, but more beautiful.” 

If anyone would like to contact Emma for a speaking engagement or for aquatic invasive species problems, she can be reached by email at emma.antolos@swbadger.org or at (608) 326-1172.

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