Introduced

We uncover the story of how a popular watercraft inspection program (Clean Boats, Clean Waters) evolved from a middle school science project in Northern Wisconsin. Transcript available here. Resources: Get involved in Clean Boats, Clean Waters Get involved in the Great Lakes Landing Blitz Boats per capita in the US Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation grants Eurasian watermilfoil Eurasian wa...

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade; when life gives you carp, you make carp pants! Meet Kim Boustead, who turns invasive species into art. From buckthorn ink to fish leather, Kim shares her journey of transforming unwanted materials into useful creations. Transcript available here . Special thanks to our guest: Kim Boustead , artist, graphic designer and master naturalist Learn more: Ki...

What happens when we look at invasive species through the lens of art? In this episode, Jenna takes us to an immersive art exhibit that reimagines Lake Michigan’s invasive species challenges in a surreal, sci-fi-inspired world.  Transcript available here . Special thanks to our guests: Anne Moser, Wisconsin Sea Grant Daniel Murray, Fuzz Pop Workshop Amanda Schmitz, AIS Coordinator, Washington...

When starry stonewort was first discovered in a Wisconsin lake, alarm set in—officials scrambled, residents feared the worst, and drastic measures were taken. But ten years later, an unexpected truth has emerged: sometimes, the best response to an invasive species is to do less, not more. In this episode, we unravel the science behind how humans react to new invaders, challenge fear-based messagin...

Today, we’re airing a bonus episode from Points North , a podcast about the land, water, and inhabitants of the Great Lakes from Interlochen Public Radio. Invasive species often spread by hitching a ride on anglers, especially anglers who don’t clean their gear after fishing. Though this is widely known, research suggests many anglers still don’t clean, even though it protects the very thing they’...

How can art help communicate invasive species science? Today, we’ll meet an artist on a journey to turn some thrifted fabric into a biocontrol bug that is larger than life! Transcript Special thanks to our guests: Astrid Hooper Loften, Artist, UW-Madison’24 Jeanne Scherer, University of Wisconsin-Extension and University of Wisconsin-Madison Learn more: The FLOW Project  Astrid’s Cella Beetle...

Introduced is back for Season 3! In this episode, we explore the names we use for invasive species. How do species get their names? And what real-life consequences can these names bring? Transcript available here. Special thanks to our guests: Tyler Muller, North Carolina State University El Lower, Michigan Sea Grant Sam Chan, Oregon Sea Grant Megan Weber, Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Resear...

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Introduced will be returning for a new season in 2024! But in the meantime, we're sharing a fascinating, fishy episode from our friends at Points North , an award-winning podcast about the land, water and inhabitants of the Great Lakes. In October 1960, Prince Akihito of Japan visited Chicago for 21 hours. Chicago’s mayor presented the prince with a diplomatic gift: 18 bluegi...

Today, we’re introducing a new podcast from Wisconsin Sea Grant called The Water We Swim In, which features stories about the Great Lakes and the people working toward equity. On “Hidden Currents,” Bonnie Willison and Hali Jama dive beneath the water to explore why Black children are drowning more than any other race, why marginalized communities often lack access to swimming pools, and how to sta...

Today, on the last episode of season two, we’re talking about climate change, which threatens to upend everything western science understands about native and invasive species.   First, we join the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission climate change team as they carefully observe the seasonal relationships between all the beings in the forest. Then we talk to the Tribal Climate Adaptation...

This week, we dive deep into two news stories that flew under the public’s radar. In the summer of 2020, individuals all over the country started receiving random packages of unsolicited and unidentified seeds. In the spring of 2021, pet stores around the country found that the moss balls on their shelves carried a notorious aquatic hitchhiker. On this episode, we talk to some of th...

On August 27, 2009, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources gets a call about small lobsters crawling around a neighborhood pond in Germantown. The extent of the problem is more than anyone bargained for. Thanks to our guests Tim Campbell,  Wisconsin Sea Grant Pete Jopke,  Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Tim Zabel, initial sighter Heidi Bunk,  Wisconsin Department of...

The miniscule Spiny waterflea was introduced into Madison’s Lake Mendota and lurked undetected for years. This hour, Bonnie and Sydney take a new look at a well-studied lake and try to figure out how an introduced species can float below science’s radar for so long. Thanks to our guests Jake Walsh,  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Dick Lathrop,  Wisconsin Department of Natural...

Wild rice faces challenges like introduced species, pollution, habitat destruction and climate change. We learn how the Sokaogon Chippewa Community cares for this wonderfully resilient being. Opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Thanks to our guests Sarah Dance, (former)  Wisconsin Sea Grant...

Sydney debriefs Bonnie on what it was like to filet her very first fish, which happened to be a silver carp. Read more Cooking Silver Carp

Canines Betty White and Ernie are training to detect the scent of New Zealand Mudsnail, and Sydney goes bow hunting for flying carp. Also, we talk to a group that is trying to make carp burgers the next popular tailgating food. Thanks to our guests Laura Holder,  Conservation Dogs Collective Amy Wagnitz, (former)  Conservation Dogs Collective Betty White and Ernie,  Conservation Dog...

Pacific salmon were introduced into the Great Lakes to control nuisance alewives. Now, alewives and salmon are both being challenged by a new wave of introduced species. Thanks to our guests Barb Carey,  WI Women Fish ,  Women Ice Angler Project Brad Eggold,  Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Titus Seilheimer,  Wisconsin Sea Grant Read more WI Women Fish Women Ice Angle...

Even the smallest snails can mean big changes for the region’s lakes and streams. We visit the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, where mystery snails encroach on wild rice, and track the spread of New Zealand mudsnail across Wisconsin trout streams. Thanks to our guests Kathryn Perez,   University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Kelsey Taylor,  Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chip...

Smelting became a beloved tradition after rainbow smelt were introduced into the Great Lakes. How did smelt get introduced, how do they fit into the food web and what happens when humans fall in love with a non-native species? Thanks to our guests Jared Myers,  US Fish and Wildlife Service   Carolyn Swartz , Angler’s All   Titus Seilheimer,  Wisconsin Sea Grant   Sara Huds...

Who gets to decide where a species belongs? What does it mean for something to be “invasive?” The term “invasive species” is commonly used by researchers and academics. But as the authors of the Dibaginjigaadeg Anishinaabe Ezhitwaad – A Tribal Climate Adaptation Menu developed the indigenous resilience guide, they spent long hours reckoning with the term “invasive,” along with a slew of other West...

We’re excited to share an episode of Teach Me About the Great Lakes featuring the Introduced team! This episode is all about invasive species generally, and invasive crayfish specifically. TMAGL speaks again with Dr. Brian Roth about his work on invasive crayfish and with IISG’s own Greg Hitzroth about the Invasive Crayfish Collaborative. Plus, in a special bonus, we speak with the hosts of Introd...

On August 25, 2009, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources gets a call about small lobsters crawling around a neighborhood pond in Germantown. The extent of the problem is more than anyone bargained for. Here’s the story of the first red swamp crayfish introduced into Wisconsin. Special thanks to our guests: Tim Campbell,  Wisconsin Sea Grant Pete Jopke,  Wisconsin Department of N...

After a dive into the world of fish collectors and a conversation with a DNR detective, Bonnie and Sydney want to know just how easy it is to buy aquatic invasive species online. Special thanks to our guests Ted Judy, Robert Stroess, Tim Campbell and Erika Jensen. Read more Water Lettuce Water Hyacinth Red Swamp Crayfish

Bold plans to remove invasive species lead to some unintended consequences down the line.   Special thanks to our co-host Tim Campbell, and our guests Dr. Dick Lathrop and Dr. Greg Sass.  Read More: Water Clarity Responses to Carp Reduction in Shallow Eutrophic Lake Wingra Without the Carp, Lake Wingra Cleans Up Watch REU Student Ellen Heyn’s Movie Crystal Lake Mixing on YouTube Mix...

How does a group of fish valued in their home range come to be some of America’s most reviled villains? Sydney and Bonnie explore a surprising collaboration between American and Chinese researchers, and see how Ontario is bracing for an Asian Carp introduction. Special thanks to our guests Duane Chapman, Dr. Yushun Chen, and Rebecca Schroeder. Flying Fish, Great Dish Video Featuring Duane Cha...