AIS Inspector Training

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department announced they are offering training for members of the public to become certified Wyoming aquatic invasive species inspectors. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the story.

According to the Game and Fish, the training will provide the skills necessary to inspect personally-owned and other watercraft. Aquatic invasive species can be aquatic animals such as zebra and quagga mussels or rusty crayfish, or aquatic vegetation such as hydrilla.  Game and Fish Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Josh Leonard said aquatic invasive species can have far-reaching impacts on Wyoming water resources for agriculture, municipalities and wildlife, and many of these invasive species significantly change ecosystems, negatively affecting native species and highly-prized fisheries. Leonard added that educating members of the public about AIS and inspection techniques along with how to properly, clean, drain, and dry their boats, is critical in the fight to prevent the spread of AIS to Wyoming.

Trainings are offered as a one-day course from 9 am to 4 pm throughout the spring at statewide locations. Registration can be done online and the deadline to register is one week prior to the class start date. Training in Sheridan will take place Friday, March 24 at the Game and Fish Regional Office. Registration information is available here.