Publication Summary

The objectives of the Aquatic Plant Technical Assistance Program are to provide aquatic plant related technical assistance to government agencies and the public, conduct site visits to expand the base of knowledge on aquatic plants and their habitat, and to assist with evaluating applications for Freshwater Aquatic Weed Program grant money.

The objectives of the Aquatic Plant Technical Assistance Program are to provide aquatic plant related technical assistance to government agencies and the public, conduct site visits to expand the base of knowledge on aquatic plants and their habitat, and to assist with evaluating applications for Freshwater Aquatic Weed Program grant money.

During 1994, the first year of this program, aquatic plant data were gathered and organized in a database for 76 waterbodies located throughout the state. Findings of particular significance were discovery of five previously unknown populations of Myriophyllum spicatum (Eurasian watermilfoil), two sites with Egeria densa (Brazilian elodea), and one site with Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife). Aquatic plants were assembled for an herbarium reference collection, which contains more than 150 pressed and mounted specimens. Observations on biological control agents (such as herbivorous insects) were also made during field visits. In addition, education and technical outreach efforts were well received, assistance was provided for an aquatic plant field identification guide contract, and 11 projects applying for Freshwater Aquatic Weed Program grant money were reviewed.