SPRINGFIELD, Va., September 2, 2020 – A new video from Wildlife Forever, funded in part by a BoatUS Foundation Grassroots Grant shows watersport boat owners how to easily follow “Clean, Drain, Dry” at the boat ramp to help prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). Support for the video also came from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and boat retailer Marine Max.
“Today’s watersports enthusiasts enjoy riding big waves,” said BoatUS Foundation Director of Outreach Alanna Keating. “To help them substantially increase the wave height and size, some recreational boats utilize large internal ballast compartments or use external bags that are filled with water. However, after using and before moving on to another water body, these bags or tanks need to be thoroughly drained and dried for five days to eliminate any AIS from being spread to other waters.”
A recent study from the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center using AIS-infested water showed that even after draining, these ballast compartments could contain more than 12 cups of residual water. Wildlife Forever’s one-minute video concisely runs through each of steps necessary to help keep local waters clean by showing how to properly decontaminate a wake-style boat and its trailer.
As part of a coalition of recreational boating, environmental, conservation and government organizations, the BoatUS Foundation has championed “Clean, Drain, Dry” for the better part of a decade, promoting information on how to stop the spread of invasive species such as zebra mussels as part of the nonprofit’s free online Basic Boating Safety course and on its website at BoatUS.org/Invasives.
As part of the national Clean Drain Dry Initiative, Wildlife Forever also offers AIS educational materials and resources tailored to the wakesport, fishing and hunting industries, boat dealers, retail centers and launch ramp inspectors that help educate all outdoor recreational users on invasive species prevention.
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