FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2011 / Contact: / Telly Mamayek, MCWD Communications Manager
Cell: 952-594-5672;
Zebra Mussel Expert to Visit Minneapolis
Will Conduct Dive in Lake Nokomis on September 12
Deephaven, Minn. – Dr. Daniel Molloy, a leading authority on zebra mussels, will be in Minneapolis on Monday, September 12 to share his exciting research on how to manage this aquatic invasive species (AIS). Dr. Molloy, former director of the New York State Museum’s Field Research lab, has discovered a naturally-occurring bacterial strain that is fatal to zebra mussels, but does not pose a danger to the environment or other non-target organisms. This biological control method is now being commercialized under the product name Zequanox™.
“The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is very concerned about protecting the city’s lakes from AIS and looks forward to hearing about this new approach,” said Michael Schmidt, Assistant Superintendent of the MPRB, which is collaborating with Minnesota Waters and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) on this event.
“We are committed to stopping the spread of zebra mussels and other AIS which can cause significant harm to a lake, river or stream’s eco-system and diminish recreational activity,” said Minnesota Waters Executive Director Lois Sinn Lindquist.
As part of his visit, Dr. Molloy will conduct a dive at Lake Nokomis, which has been designated infested with zebra mussels, but none have been discovered in the water body, to date.
Media Availability
Who: Dr. Dan Molloy, Molloy & Associates
Lois Sinn Lindquist, Minnesota Waters Executive Director
Michael Schmidt, MPRB Assistant Superintendent
Eric Evenson, MCWD Administrator
When: 1:30 pm, Monday, September 12
Where: Lake Nokomis boat launch, Lake Nokomis Parkway east of Cedar Ave.
Minnesota Waters
Minnesota Waters is a statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting responsible stewardship of our water resources by engaging citizens, local and state policymakers, and other partners in the protection and restoration of Minnesota’s lakes and rivers. It provides training, connections and support to help citizens build grassroots networks of local, regional lake, river and watershed associations to collect and use data for effective water policy advocacy. Visit us at: www.minnesotawaters.org.
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
With 182 park properties totaling nearly 6,732 acres of land and water, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board provides places and recreation opportunities for all people to gather, celebrate, contemplate and engage in activities that promote health, well-being, community and the environment. Each year, approximately 18 million visits are made to the nationally acclaimed Minneapolis park system. To learn more, visit www.minneapolisparks.org.
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District covers approximately 181 square miles, including Minnehaha Creek, Lake Minnetonka, the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes and Minnehaha Falls. The District is charged by state law to protect, improve and manage water resources. It does so through scientific research and monitoring, public education, cost share grant programs, permitting and collaborative efforts with the 27 cities, two townships and two counties (Hennepin and Carver) that are in the District. For more information, visit www.minnehahacreek.org.
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