June 26th, 2010

Join Missouri River Fly Fishers, the Pat Barnes Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and the Center for Aquatic Nuisance Species (CANS) in mapping the Missouri River for noxious weeds.  Volunteers and boats are needed to float the Missouri and map problem weeds from the boats using handheld GPS units.  This mapping information will be used to map and to track current weed infestations and to provide the data necessary for control measures.  In addition all GPS data points will be added to the statewide river mapping page provided on the CANS website.
The mapping will take place on June 26th and volunteers will meet at the Craig fishing access site at 10 a.m.
This program is as much of an education program as it is a conservation program.  Our hope is to help make folks realize that weeds are not only an agricultural issue, but they are everyone’s problem.  Noxious weeds threaten the fragile diversity of riparian ecosystems, native plants, water quality, and even fish spawning habitat.
We look forward to you joining us for a day of floating, learning, and improving the Missouri River!
Contact:
Matt Wilhelm, Center for Aquatic Nuisance Species
406-222-7270, matt@stopans.org