Be it Eurasian watermilfoil, Asian apple snails, European frog-bit, rusty crayfish or zebra and quagga mussels, a host of invasive species have made their way into Michigan’s lakes, rivers, wetlands and streams.

To help track the spread of these and other nonnative plants and animals, the Michigan Clean Water Corps has set its second-annual Aquatic Invasive Species Detection Blitz starting Monday through July 12.

This is a statewide community science effort, with volunteers of all experience levels using the iNaturalist app to document aquatic invasive species throughout Michigan.

The app provides an easy way for boaters, paddlers, anglers, nature lovers and anyone interested to contribute to invasive species early detection while enjoying the state’s abundant water resources, MiCorps states in a news release.

Participants simply snap photos of suspected aquatic invasive species in their area and upload them to iNaturalist. A team of experts, along with the iNaturalist user community, then can help with identification.

In 2025, volunteers helped make the first MiCorps AIS Detection Blitz a success by contributing 110 verified AIS observations and documenting 18 aquatic invasive species statewide. MiCorps hopes to see that number grow in 2026 as more eyes and cameras help strengthen early detection across Michigan.

This year’s Detection Blitz aligns with the Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz, a regional outreach campaign that promotes prevention steps like “Clean, Drain, Dry” at boating access sites across the Great Lakes.

It also takes place during Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week from Sunday through July 4, an annual effort to educate the public about preventing the spread of nonnative aquatic plants and animals that threaten Michigan’s ecosystems, recreation opportunities and economy.

To get involved in the blitz, MiCorps advises to —

— Download the iNaturalist app: Create a free account on the iNaturalist app.

— Join the project: Search the Projects tab on iNaturalist for the 2026 MiCorps AIS Detection Blitz and select “Join.”

— Snap and upload: Upload photos of suspected aquatic invasive species anytime during the event dates. If unsure what it is, that is okay — submit the best photo and others can help confirm an ID.

Important note — Once a user has joined the project, observations uploaded during the event dates will be included automatically. Users do not need to manually add each observation to the project.

To learn more, go to the MiCorps AIS Detection Blitz event page at micorps.net/events/AISBlitz.

The Michigan Clean Water Corps, or MiCorps, is a statewide volunteer water quality monitoring program established by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to engage citizens in monitoring and understanding Michigan’s water resources. MiCorps is administered by Michigan State University Extension under the direction of EGLE, and in partnership with the Huron River Watershed Council and the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association.