Project RED (riverine early detectors) is a citizen monitoring project that trains paddlers, fishermen, and amateur naturalists to detect invasives within river corridors. Early detection of these species increases the success of confining or eradicating them before they spread downstream saving our rivers and our money. The River Alliance of Wisconsin, Southeast Trout Unlimited and the Milwaukee Riverkeeper are hosting a free Project RED training.

Invasive species threaten the health of our rivers. For example, Japanese knotweed, a 10 foot tall bamboo, replaces native grasses along the banks creating an impenetrable wall and New Zealand mudsnails outcompete native invertebrates that fish rely upon for food. Invasive species threaten the biodiversity of these delicate systems.

The River Alliance of Wisconsin, Southeast Trout Unlimited and the Milwaukee Riverkeeper are hosting a free Project RED training on August 15 at the Wauwatosa Library from 9:00am -1:00pm.

Participants will learn about 15 invasive species that are threatening our rivers and streams, how to properly identify them and how to report them using a new online resource, www.CitSci.org. Project RED participants will also be provided technical assistance on how to fight an invasion if one is found on their river.