Mary McCormick has played a key role in protecting North Long Lake in Crow Wing County, according to an April 23 announcement. Her involvement began after purchasing a cabin on the lake and led her to join the local lake association and complete the Aquatic Invasive Species Detectors Core Course.
McCormick’s work matters because it supports early detection of aquatic invasive species, helps educate residents, and improves access to tools for maintaining lake health. She said about the course, “I did some research and then I went to one of your [AIS Detectors] classes, which was absolutely wonderful.” McCormick added that she repeated the class for further learning: “I did it again the next year just to refresh my memory. I figured however many times I take it, I would learn something else and build on my learning.”
After her training, McCormick made monitoring rakes for herself and other members of the association. She is active in early detection efforts with another AIS Detector volunteer by frequently checking North Long Lake. Now serving as co-chair of the association’s AIS committee, she also organizes an education station at annual meetings and writes articles for their newsletter. Additionally, she volunteers at events like the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center Showcase.
Thanks in part to McCormick’s dedication and collaboration with others across county lines, three cleaning stations have been installed at North Long Lake so visitors can remove boat drain plugs or plants before entering or leaving. “I love going out and throwing rakes. I wear my [Clean, Drain, Dry] shirt and my vest, and then people will recognize it,” said McCormick.
University of Minnesota Extension contributes public service by delivering research-driven strategies that help residents address issues such as these according to its official website. The Extension is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture as part of University operations according to its official website. It develops evidence-based approaches through hands-on learning while involving local residents according to its official website.
The Extension provides statewide services through offices in every county according to its official website, offering educational programs backed by research that assist communities facing challenges according to its official website. It operates within cooperative extension systems linked with land-grant education according to its official website.
