Started in 2017, Starry Trek is a statewide event focused on searching for one of Minnesota's newest aquatic invasive species, starry stonewort (and other invaders). Starry stonewort is an invasive algae that was first found in Lake Koronis in 2015 and has since spread to more Minnesota lakes.  This event is an opportunity for you to team up with us and of your fellow residents of Lac qui Parle County to better track the spread across SW MN.

Starry Trek volunteers have discovered new populations of starry stonewort. Follow-up surveys by Minnesota DNR specialists confirmed these new findings in Lake Carnelian (Stearns County, 2020), Wolf Lake (Hubbard County, 2018) Lake Beltrami (Beltrami County, 2018) and Grand Lake (Stearns County, 2017). As a result of the Grand Lake discovery, the local lake association and MN DNR teamed up in a rapid response plan to remove the small patch of starry stonewort. Other notable finds by Starry Trek participants include the discovery of a new populations of Eurasian watermilfoil in Winona County (2017) and Aitkin County (2019) and a new zebra mussel population in Dakota County (2018). Over 200 Minnesotans have joined in this effort and searched over 200 public water accesses each year since the inaugural event in 2017.

Please Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/starry-trek-2026-tickets-1992492051362?aff=oddtdtcreator

Scroll down to the bottom to pick "WATSON" that is where our local training sit will be, within Lac qui Parle State Park.