The Minnesota AIS Research Center at the University of Minnesota (MAISRC) just announced it is piloting a new eDNA testing lab. They are currently recruiting volunteers who are interested in testing Minnesota’s lakes and rivers for zebra mussel eDNA.
You will need to act quickly if this sounds interesting and you want to volunteer, as the window for applying closes on June 12.
Early detection of aquatic invasive species (AIS) is an important factor in slowing or stopping the spread in a waterbody. More detections require more people. Fortunately, MAISRC research has demonstrated that volunteer-collected samples are as accurate as University scientists, making large-scale environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring feasible.
Now we are implementing this research to pilot an eDNA testing lab to monitor statewide. We are currently recruiting volunteers who are interested in testing Minnesota’s lakes and rivers for zebra mussel eDNA
Who can participate?
Individuals or groups such as lake associations, watershed districts, lake improvement districts, Tribal representatives, and others; we are excited to work with a variety of partners and to collect data for waterbodies with and without confirmed zebra mussel infestation. In addition to lakes with unknown zebra mussel status, we are accepting samples from lakes with previously confirmed populations of zebra mussels in order to validate our process.
What are participant requirements?
Participants are required to fill out an expression of interest form that contains the following information:
- contact information of the person who will take the samples,
- an estimated time for when you will sample the lake, and
- an action plan for what you and/or your organization will do in response to the results. We recommend discussing this action plan with your local jurisdictional authority (LID, SWCD, other local unit of government, DNR AIS specialist, etc).
For lakes within the boundaries of Tribal reservations, permission from a Tribal representative to collect water samples for eDNA surveillance will be required.
What is MAISRC’s role?
- Gauge interest and select participants
- Send participants sampling kits containing everything needed for sampling. Participants will receive one kit per lake, if sampling multiple lakes, they will receive multiple kits.
- Receive filters and equipment
- Send sample results to participants and jurisdictional authorities
What is the timeline for this project?
This first season is a pilot with the goal of scaling up to test for more species and transition to being a fee-for-service model.
- June 1 – June 12: Interest form is open
- June 15: Participants contacted and selected based on availability of kits and other criteria
- End of June/early July: Testing kits sent
- July – August: Sampling takes place and results generated
If you are interested in participating in our eDNA pilot project, fill out the interest form below. If you have additional questions, reach out to the team: labtolakes@umn.edu.