I want to take a minute
to talk about how you can help protect
Grand Canyon National Park.
Introduced species that cause harm
to the ecological health
of an environment
are called invasive species.
Now, these species can be plants,
animals, microbes and they're
usually spread by human activity.
Now, one of the more common ways
that invasive species are spread
is by boats and other watercraft.
Recently, an invasive mussel
was found in the Colorado River
through Grand Canyon National Park.
This particularly damaging invasive species
is called the quagga mussel.
Adult mussels are about the size
of your thumbnail, and
immature mussels are microscopic.
Once introduced, the quagga mussel
carpets underwater rock surfaces quickly.
These mussels disrupt food webs
clog water intakes
and their sharp shells
become a recreational hazard.
You know, if we donât clean boats
and gear that have been in waters
containing this mussel,
we will unfortunately spread
this invasive species
throughout the Colorado River.
Everyone can help
by taking three easy steps:
Clean, Drain and Dry.
Clean means to go around the boat
and remove any visible mud or plants
and also to take a bucket or hose
and rinse the hull and interior
of any standing water or debris.
Drain means to allow all water
to drain out of the boat
and any equipment.
Dry means that the boat
and all equipment should be
completely dry before launching
on your next trip.
Whether you have a dory, raft or kayak
you can move water and invasive species
with your boat and gear.
Every single boat that arrives
at Grand Canyon to float
should arrive clean.
At the end of your trip you should
be sure to clean, drain and dry
your boat and all gear before
heading out on a new waterway.
Grand Canyon National Park takes
various precautions to make sure
that every boating trip is safe, fun,
and protects the uniqueness
of Grand Canyon.
But you know we all need to help to
protect the Colorado River.
Be sure to take the Clean Drain and Dry steps
before and after every boating trip!