Wildlife Forever is one group leading the charge against invasive species posing a threat to the fertile fields and fisheries of the United States. Wildlife Forever President and CEO Doug Grann recently reported back from the front lines of one such battleground: the Illinois River, beleaguered by an overabundance of Asian silver carp.
The battle for the Illinois River
The Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, representing 14 Midwestern state departments of natural resources, recently presented Wildlife Forever with its President’s Award. During the trip to Peoria, Ill., to accept the award, Grann took a time-out for wildlife to experience firsthand what conservationists are up against in the fight to stop the Asian silver carp in the Illinois River. His experiences were captured in a photo essay by Nathaniel Grann (some of the images are presented in this article, or the essay can be viewed in its entirety).
Asian carp are one of the few invasive species that are not only displacing native species – walleye and sauger among them – but they are dangerous as well. Known for their ability to leap many feet in the air, the sound of a boat engine can send whole schools airborne, sometimes landing in boats and posing a risk to passengers. During a short ride down the Illinois River, Grann said he saw airborne Asian carp nearly everywhere – 43 silver carp landed in his boat.
Over the years, FLW Outdoors has hosted several tournaments on the Illinois River and will return in 2010 for an FLW Walleye Tour Eastern Division event, so many tournament anglers have also witnessed the effects of invasive species on fisheries.
Asian carp are the most visible invasive species, but it is their destruction of habitat and the food chain that they have in common with all other invasive species. No matter how people like to enjoy the outdoors, invasive species are impacting camping, wildlife watching, hunting and fishing. It is the hope of Wildlife Forever that outdoor enthusiasts will take the time to educate themselves about the dangers of invasive species and the potential loss of America’s wildlife heritage.
Education is making a difference
Wildlife Forever has undertaken extensive work to stop the spread of invasive species. Much of the effort has focused on educating the hunting and fishing community on what they can and must do during their time outdoors to avoid accidentally spreading non-native species.
Wildlife Forever’s Threat Campaign is now in its fourth year. During that time, the organization has used targeted messages in almost every media format available: television, print, billboards during fishing openers, the Internet, even free DVDs for local sportsmen’s clubs to show during their meetings. According to Grann, research reveals such efforts making great strides to turn the tide in the fight against invasive species.
All images by Nathaniel Grann. All information retrieved during an interview with Dr. Greg Sass, Illinois Natural History Survey. Special thanks to Wildlife Forever, Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Dr. Greg Sass and Rob Hilsabeck. For more information on silver carp, contact your state DNR or visit www.wildlifeforever.org and www.mafwa.org.
