June 2018 Letter from the Associate Director
Hello from MAISRC! 
Field season is in full swing here at the Center and our research teams have been logging miles and hours across the state - making the most of the warm weather and open water to advance research on the aquatic invasive species that are impacting our state’s lakes and rivers. It's an exciting time of year to be part of MAISRC! From southwest Minnesota where researchers are exploring control methods for common carp, to northeast Minnesota where a team is working quantify the impacts of zebra mussels and spiny waterfleas on food webs, we’re out there growing knowledge and capacity to respond to AIS.
With such a diverse slate of research projects, it's heartening to know that there is an equally diverse group of people out there who want to learn more and participate in AIS detection, prevention, and management. Thank you for being engaged and supporting our work. In addition to receiving these updates, we have a few upcoming opportunities for you to grow your knowledge and get involved.
Every other year, MAISRC conducts a Research Needs Assessment that helps us prioritize research for the coming years. Later this summer, we’ll be launching a public survey to get your opinion and insight on AIS research opportunities in the state. Stay tuned for updates and to participate in the survey.
Additionally, mark your calendars for Starry Trek on August 18! Starry Trek is a coordinated citizen science effort that surveys lakes throughout the state, looking for new infestations of starry stonewort and other AIS. Registration is now open. And in September, we’ll be hosting our fifth annual AIS Research and Management Showcase right here on the St. Paul campus. Join us at the Showcase and you can take a tour of our state-of-the-art lab facility and learn more about AIS from our researchers. More information about both of these events is included in the newsletter below.
Hope to see you this summer!
Cori Mattke
Associate Director
