Starry Trek

Starry stonewort is an invasive algae that was first found in Lake Koronis in 2015 and has continued to slowly spread to other water bodies in Minnesota. Now we are asking for your help in searching other lakes to better understand its distribution in Minnesota. Learn more about Starry stonewort here.

You will be teaming up with volunteers across the state as well as volunteers in Wisconsin participating in a sister event (AIS Snapshot Day) to help in the early detection of aquatic invasive species. During our inaugural event in 2017, volunteers participating in Starry Trek discovered a new population of starry stonewort in Grand Lake (Stearns County). As a result of this discovery the local lake association and MN DNR teamed up in a rapid response plan to remove the small patch of starry stonewort and have since been able to limit the spread of the population in Grand Lake beyond the boat launch area it was initially discovered at. To date, Starry Trek volunteers have been responsible for the discovery of 4 previously unrecorded populations of starry stonewort, a new zebra mussel population, three new locations with Eurasian watermilfoil and more. View a map of the impact of volunteers, like you, have had on the detection of aquatic invasive species in Minnesota here. 

Local training sites are located across the state and will be hosted by local agencies, organizations, and individuals to search nearby locations. Participants will meet at the local training site in the morning and will be assigned sites to search upon arrival. All participants will need to return to the local training site to check-in and turn in any specimens and datasheets at the end of the day. No experience necessary!