PlayCleanGo Announces Minnesota PlayCleanGo Day 2013 June 8

PlayCleanGo: Stop Invasive Species in Your Tracks

Announces Minnesota PlayCleanGo Day 2013

To Help Stop The Spread of Terrestrial Invasive Species

Saint Paul, Minnesota – PlayCleanGo: Stop Invasive Species in Your Tracks announces the first annual, Minnesota PlayCleanGo Day on June 8, inviting individuals and families to take to the great outdoors, visit a campground or park, take a walk, hike, bike, ATV, off-road vehicle or horse ride on Minnesota trails, while supporting the efforts to stop the spread of terrestrial (i.e. land-based) invasive species. Volunteers across the state will be on-hand at Minnesota trail heads and recreation sites to promote the use of trails, parks and recreations sites and to bring awareness on how to help stop the spread of terrestrial invasive species on our treasured Minnesota land.

PlayCleanGo is working with a group of interagency and community partners including the University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Transportation and Explore Minnesota, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to promote awareness, understanding and cooperation to stop the spread of terrestrial invasive species.

PlayCleanGo Day Event Locations

PlayCleanGo invites all interested media outlets to join us at one of the following locations on Saturday, June 8th, 2013, from 11am to 3pm.

            INTERSTATE STATE PARK – 307 Milltown Rd., Taylors Falls, MN

            FORT SNELLING STATE PARK – 101 Snelling Lake Rd., St. Paul, MN

            GOOSEBERRY FALLS STATE PARK – 3206 Hwy 61 East, Two Harbors, MN

            WHITE WATER STATE PARK – 19041 Hwy 74, Altura, MN

            ITASCA STATE PARK – 36750 Main Park Drive, Park Rapids, MN

            LAKE CARLOS STATE PARK – 2601 County Rd. 38 Northeast, Carlos, MN

PlayCleanGo invites the public to visit one of the locations where volunteers will be available to answer questions and hand out information. A list of locations can be found online at www.PlayCleanGo.org.

About PlayCleanGo

PlayCleanGo is an education and outreach campaign for outdoor recreationalists. The goal is to encourage outdoor recreation like off-road vehicle use, hiking, biking, horseback riding and more, while protecting valuable natural resources. The objective is to stop the spread of terrestrial invasive species through changes in public behavior. The campaign is designed to encourage simple and quick steps to help prevent the spread of invasive plants and animals while encouraging outdoor recreation.

Steps You Can Take

Following these simple steps can help stop the spread of terrestrial invasive species:

• Arrive with clean gear.

• Burn local or certified firewood.

• Use local or weed-free hay.

• Stay on the trails.

• Before leaving, remove mud and seeds.

About Terrestrial Invasive Species

Terrestrial invasive species are land-based plants, animals and micro-organisms that are not native to a particular area. They are also species that are capable of causing severe damage in areas outside their normal range; harming the economy, the environment or human health once they become established. The term "invasive" is reserved for the most aggressive non-native species capable of changing site or living conditions for the worse where they establish.

A few of the common invasive species found on land include earthworms, Canada thistle, common buckthorn, wild parsnip and the two fungal species that cause Dutch elm disease and oak wilt. The emerald ash borer is a terrestrial invasive species relatively new to state that has the public concerned about the health of their ash trees. 

Visit www.playcleango.org for more information on how to become a PlayCleanGo partner.

PlayCleanGo: Stop Invasive Species In Your Tracks is sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service and the state of Minnesota.

Media Contact:

Susan Burks                                       
MNDNR Forestry

Invasive Species Program Coordinator                                               
Susan.burks@state.mn.us                                         
651-259-5251

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