HASLETT - Multiple state departments and agencies are coming together to promote the control of aquatic invasive species during the week of June 28 through July 4.

Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week is an event that promotes and raises awareness for aquatic species issues, the impacts they cause and simple things people can do to make a difference according to Aquatic Biologist Kevin Walters of the Department of Environmental Quality.

An invasive species is defined as an non-native that is either intentionally or unintentionally introduced to a habitat that ultimately causes harm.

"Aquatic invasive species such as the Eurasian Milfoil can take over a lake, they crowd out native species, out compete native species, and more importantly to you and I, they take up space on the lake. They make it difficult to go in different parts of the lake, make it difficult to swim, difficult to fish, change habit for fish to search for food in, places to find cover, it changes all that in the lake," said Walters.

The Department of Environmental Quality recommends that you take the following 3 easy steps: Clean, drain, and dry. First, make sure you clean your boat completely of all lake material. Lake Lansing Park conveniently has a power washer residents may use to clean their watercraft off completely. Second, make sure your boat has been drained completely of all water, including in the live wells. And lastly, make sure you take a towel and dry off the entirety of your boat.

At over 45 boat ramps across Michigan, including Lake Lansing, volunteers will provide information and demonstrations to promote the decrease in spread of aquatic hitchhiker in the 2nd annual Landing Blitz. Residents are urged to visit the Lake Lansing boat launch on Sunday, June 28 and Monday June 29 to receive information regarding aquatic invasive species at the annual local landing blitz.