Learn how to spot aquatic invasive species at upcoming training in Cody

Posted 5/6/21

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is offering trainings for members of the public to become a certified Wyoming aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspector, including at an upcoming session in Cody.

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Learn how to spot aquatic invasive species at upcoming training in Cody

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The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is offering trainings for members of the public to become a certified Wyoming aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspector, including at an upcoming session in Cody.

The local training — set to run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, May 14 at the Cody Game and Fish Regional Office — will provide the skills needed to inspect personally owned and other watercraft as well. Attendees must register by this Friday, May 7.

Becoming a certified inspector is advantageous for anglers and boaters who recreate in adjacent states, the Game and Fish says.

“Most western states such as Wyoming and Montana, require an inspection of watercraft each time a boat crosses state lines,” said Jon Gatti, AIS specialist for the Cody area. “Certification allows boaters to avoid extra travel in order to seek out an inspection, especially in the spring and fall when check stations have more limited hours of operation.”

The training session includes information on basic biology of invasive species, the impacts of AIS, transport vectors and distribution of AIS. It includes classroom instruction, a question-and-answer session and a hands-on watercraft inspection exercise. The trainings are free and open to anyone interested in preventing the spread of AIS through watercraft inspection.

Aquatic invasive species can be aquatic animals such as zebra and quagga mussels or rusty crayfish, or aquatic vegetation such as hydrilla.

“Aquatic invasive species can have far-reaching impacts on Wyoming water resources for agriculture, municipalities and wildlife. Many of these invasive species permanently change stream and lake ecology, negatively affecting native species and our prized sport fisheries,” said Josh Leonard, Game and Fish aquatic invasive species coordinator. “Having members of the public become aware about AIS, practice Clean, Drain, Dry on their boats, and inspect their watercraft when a Game and Fish check station is not available, is critical in the fight to prevent the spread of AIS to Wyoming.”

To register for the upcoming training in Cody, contact Gatti at 307-254-3554 or jonathan.gatti@wyo.gov with your name, mailing address phone number and email address, or visit forms.gle/2himTEBee8C22ZLt9.

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