Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Videos

 

Duration:

6 minutes, 45 seconds

National Parks are known for being beautiful natural native areas. What you may not know, threatening each of these national treasures are scores of invasive plants prepared to crowd out, smother, shade and poison the native vegetation. Park staff and volunteers work tirelessly to preserve these places unimpaired for future generations. The national park's needs your help, volunteer to join this effort to rid our parks of invasive species.

 

Duration:

5 minutes, 48 seconds

The emerald ash borer is killing trees all around the Great Lakes and is spreading through the United States. Not only is it killing trees in National Parks and urban areas, it is threatening the lumber industry that provides ash wood for Major League Baseball bats. You can slow its spread by not moving firewood. Burn it where you buy it!

 

Duration:

6 minutes, 38 seconds

Zebra mussel, quagga mussel, round goby and other invasive species are causing havoc on Lake Michigan. This is causing the food web to become out of balance, and may be causing birds to die. National Park biologist and USGS scientist are trying to figure out what is causing this. Can this mystery be solved before the endangered great lakes piping plover becomes extinct? People can help, clean drain and dry all boating and fishing gear to stop aquatic hitch hikers.

 

Duration:

6 minutes, 40 seconds

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a collection of isolated islands in Lake Superior. Its natural beauty brings thousands of people to kayak, bird watch, sight see, camp, fish, and hike. With these recreationist also comes the potential to introduce non native plants and animals to new places. One plant of major concern is spotted knapweed. It is a beautiful purple flower, but prevents other plants from growing nearby. It is moved accidentally from one island to another by seeds stuck to people and their gear. The National Park Service works hard to control its spread, but needs your help. Keep your gear clean, especially when moving from one trail to another or from island to island.