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Snapshot Day Volunteers Help Protect Statewide Waters
Emma Macek
Emma Macek is a public information officer in the DNR’s Office of Communications.
If you’re looking for an active way to help your area’s lakes, rivers and wetlands and learn about aquatic invasive species, volunteer at Snapshot Day on Aug. 9.
Coordinated by UW-Madison Extension in partnership with the DNR and the Citizen Lake Monitoring Network, Snapshot Day is a statewide effort to protect Wisconsin’s waters by monitoring sites for invasive plants and animals that may threaten wildlife and water ecosystems.
And it doesn’t stop there, said Emily Heald, UW-Madison Extension rivers educator.
“Snapshot Day also deepens volunteers’ connection to nature by actively engaging with water systems,” Heald said. “By understanding and protecting these systems, we’re not only preserving biodiversity but also ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same natural world we cherish today.”
Volunteers choose a local training site for a brief orientation on identifying invasive species and following search protocols. After training, participants head out to check nearby sites, documenting any potential invasives. The information helps guide conservation efforts and protect Wisconsin’s natural habitats.
Aquatic Invasive Species Snapshot Day is free, requires no experience and provides participants with all necessary equipment. The event is recommended for ages 8 and up; an adult must accompany all minors.
