Battling Aquatic Invaders – How You Can Help

The Backyard Naturalists

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.

Aquatic invasive species are more than just a nuisance—they pose serious threats to ecosystems, economies, and even public safety! In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, our award-winning hosts welcome Khristopher Stahr and Jenna Paugels from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to dive into the hidden dangers lurking beneath the water’s surface.

From zebra mussels clogging waterways to invasive carp disrupting food chains, Christopher and Jenna break down the biggest offenders in Nebraska and how they spread—often through human activity. But don’t worry, you can be part of the solution! Learn simple but effective steps to stop the spread, like cleaning your gear, disposing of bait properly, and never releasing aquarium pets into the wild.

Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on how invasive species reshape aquatic habitats and what we can all do to protect our waters. Prevention is key, and it starts with you!

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