Detecting Invasive Species with Float Planes

From USFWS Alaska Fisheries and Habitat:

Float planes...a common mode of transportation in our largely roadless state! As invasive species increasingly threaten Alaska's wild lands and waters, pilots/passengers can help detect and prevent their spread. If you plan to fly this summer, here's how to help:

1. Be our eyes on the ground. Report invasive species sightings to 877-INVASIV (a GPS location and photo/sample are extremely helpful)!

2. Prevent the spread of invasive aquatic hitchhikers like Elodea by removing all visible plant fragments before take off, not taxing through heavy plant growth, and raising/lowering rudders to free plant fragments over the water you just left or dry land.

Photo of float plane en route to Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge by USFWS/Lisa Hupp #NISAW

 — with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Alaska and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 




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