[Music] hi I'm naturalist Paul Roose have you ever thought about how your actions affect plants and animals today we are going to go outside and explore different spots along the cast River Trail here in mid Michigan we will discover how people can change the environment in both positive and negative ways we also practice reading and nature journaling Outdoors while learning to protect Michigan's natural River resources so grab something to write with and a piece of paper or your nature journal and let's go out and explore check out this Trail sign here at the boat launch here in Frankenmuth Michigan let's read and write these words together invasive species what is an invasive species an invasive species is any organism or living thing that is introduced to an area outside of its native area where it's normally found they can negatively impact our environment the economy or even our health people don't often realize it but they often move invasive species from place to place on both land and water the invasive species often hitches a ride with humans ranging from boats to boots other examples of invasives include moving firewood full of insects from your home to a campground or bringing bringing home a beautiful flowering plant from another state and planting it in your yard in Michigan where we have so much freshwater habitat found in our lakes rivers and ponds aquatic invasive species found in the water represent a quiet yet harmful form of water pollution aquatic invasive species can hitch a ride to a new area on a boat that empties water from One River to another often boats carry eggs seeds or little animals with them these invasiv multiply and grow they can quickly eat up and take over a new area they force out the native plants and animals damaging our Water Resources what are some invasive species found along the Cass River let's read our Trail signs to learn more and how to recognize some of them here is a picture of European frog bit flowering rush and frag mides now that we have read some information let's use our nature detective skills and see if we can spot anything near the river let's write down any invasive species we find in our nature Journal look these leaves look just like what I saw and read on the sign it appears that flowering rush is just starting to grow now we are at another spot along the Cass River Trail at Bridgeport Township Park where we are going to learn about how we can help stop the spread of invasive species let's read this Trail sign are your shoes clean you could be spreading invasive species on the trail how to prevent the spread of harmful plants arrive with clean gear clean your shoes clothes packs and pets before exploring stay on marked trails to reduce the chances of picking up seeds and mud that carry invasive species leave with clean gear clean your shoes clothes packs and pets after exploring now I'm going to clean my boots using the boot brush which helps prevent the spread of invasives before I go boating or hiking on the trails notice at this cleaning station there are tools to help remove mud plants and debris reading Trail signs it really helps us understand invasive species and how we can prevent the spread you can learn more about aquatic environments and invasive species in your area by doing an internet research with your guardian or teacher including key terms such as your Town's name the name of your local waterways and invasive species when you are exploring Michigan's Outdoors by land or water remember that reading and following Trail signs is an important way that you can help protect Michigan's natural resources thank you for joining us if you want more fun ways to practice literacy skills don't forget to subscribe to the Michigan learning Channel and be sure to check the description below for links to activity guides resources and more [Music] [Applause]