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Lake weed watcher program

Lake weed watcher program

Lake Weed Watcher Training

Got a small boat? Interested in saving a lake from the horrors of dense weed infestations? Want to learn how to identify water plants?  Join us!

2022 Lake Weed Watcher Training

Project description

The Lake Weed Watcher Program trains volunteers to monitor for aquatic weeds in small lakes in King County, Washington. Volunteers are trained to identify both native and non-native aquatic plants. The goal of the project is to watch for populations of invasive weeds that are not currently known to occur in King County or that have a very limited distribution, but have the potential to spread and cause damage. Detecting these weeds early allows us to stop them before they get too entrenched to remove.

We provide:

Surveying for lake weeds in a canoe
  1. Training in survey methodology and plant identification
  2. All necessary survey equipment (other than that mentioned below)
  3. Plant identification materials

Volunteers need:

  1. A small boat (e.g. canoe) and a place to launch it (if you don't live on a lake we can help you choose a lake with a public boat ramp)
  2. Personal flotation device (PFD) and any other required water safety equipment
  3. Ability to attend a training sessions in June
  4. Approximately one field day in early July and one field day in late August or early September

Project Resources

Please wear a mask as this event will have indoor components. Feel free to bring plant samples that you need help identifying.

Weed Identification

Forms

Reports

Project Contact

For more information, contact Ben Peterson, Aquatic Weed Specialist, King County Noxious Weed Control Program, ben.peterson@kingcounty.gov.

Related agencies


Program offices are located at 201 S. Jackson St., Suite 600, Seattle, WA 98104. To contact staff, see the Noxious Weed Control Program Directory, send an email, or call 206-477-WEED (206-477-9333).

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