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 messaging, and explore the power of waiting and watching.

Looking for ways to tone down your language around aquatic invasive species? Here are some helpful phrases created by our guest Jeanne Scherer:

Non-native species are known to have varying degrees of impacts depending on the specific waterbody they are found in, and in some cases are able to integrate into a waterbody to the extent where actual documented impacts are minimal and active management may not be necessary. 

Reporting invasive species is a first step in containing their spread. Maintaining and restoring our waters and landscapes can reduce the impacts even when we don’t have other management options to an invasive species.

Transcript available here.

Special thanks to our guests:

Paul Skawinski, UW-Stevens Point Extension Lakes

Tom Reck, former Little Muskego Lake District chairperson

Bret Shaw, University of Wisconsin-Extension, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Jeanne Scherer, University of Wisconsin-Extension and University of Wisconsin-Madison

Learn more:

• Starry stonewort
• Testing Emphasis Message Frames and Metaphors on Social Media to Engage Boaters to Learn about Preventing the Spread of Zebra Mussels
• Is the cure worse than the disease? Comparing the ecological effects of an invasive aquatic plant and the herbicide treatments used to control it
• Commonly Rare and Rarely Common: Comparing Population Abundance of Invasive and Native Aquatic Species
• Predicting preferences for chemical treatment of aquatic invasive species and implications for outreach