Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program Invasive Plant Patrol Workshop in Dover-Foxcroft

Dover Foxcroft, ME, June 28, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Maine waters are being invaded! As with a serious illness, early detection is key; the earlier the introduced invader--such as Eurasian water-milfoil or zebra mussels--is detected, the greater the chances for finding an effective treatment and reducing the risk of spread. With over 6000 lakes and ponds, and thousands of miles of suitable stream habitat to be monitored for the presence of aquatic invaders on an ongoing basis, the challenge here in Maine is enormous. Maine needs your help! A Free Training, coming soon to Dover-Foxcroft, Piscataquis County, will provide you with everything you need to get started.

This summer, an introductory workshop is being offered in our region, by the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program.

· What: Introductory Invasive Plant Patrol Workshop
· Where: Foxcroft Academy, 975 West Main Street, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426
· When: Friday, July 19, 2013 – 11:00-AM until 5:00-PM

The workshop is hosted by the Sebec Lake Association, and co-hosted by the Friends of Wilson Ponds Association, the Dexter Lakes Association, the Sebasticook Lake Association and the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Pre-registration is required. Please contact the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program at vlmp@mainevlmp.org or (207) 783-7733 to register. For on-line registration and workshop schedule updates please visit www.mainevolunteerlakemonitors.org/workshops.

The primary goal of the Introductory Invasive Plant Patrol Workshop is to provide those who wish to join Maine's "early detection" effort with information and guidance needed to get started.

The workshop is presented in four parts:
• Overview of invasive species issues in Maine and beyond
• Plant identification fundamentals
• Plant identification hands-on exercise with live plants
• Conducting a screening survey, tools and techniques

All workshop participants receive an “Invasive Plant Patroller’s Handbook,” and the Maine Field Guide to Invasive Aquatic Plants.

Invasive Plant Patrol workshops are provided, free of charge to participants, by the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program. IPP workshops are funded in large part by a grant from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection with funds generated by Maine Lake and River Protection Sticker Program. Additional support for the workshops comes from foundation grants, private donations, and the generosity of local sponsors.

About the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (VLMP): The Maine VLMP is the oldest, and one of the largest, citizen-based lake monitoring programs in the nation. Through its nationally recognized Invasive Plant Patrol program, the VLMP has now trained over 3000 Plant Patrollers across the state of Maine. For more information regarding Invasive Plant Patrol Workshops, the threat of aquatic invaders in Maine, or the Maine VLMP, please contact: Roberta Hill, Invasive Species Program Director, Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program, 24 Maple Hill Road, Auburn, ME 04210, (207) 783-7733, roberta@mainevlmp.org or www.MaineVolunteerLakeMonitors.org.