WY Game and Fish Cody Office Offers Free AIS Inspection Training
Written by Andrew-Rossi on May 2, 2022
Wyoming Game and Fish seeks Cody residents who want to become certified aquatic invasive species inspectors and protect the state’s pristine waterways.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is offering training to the public to become certified Wyoming aquatic invasive species inspectors. Training will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 13 at the regional Game and Fish office in Cody.
The free, day-long session is open to anyone interested in preventing the spread of AIS through watercraft inspection and is an excellent opportunity for boaters from outside Wyoming, primarily Montana, who frequently travel out of state with their watercraft.
Courtesy Wyoming Game and Fish
“For boaters who live near the Wyoming and Montana border, this training can allow for compliance with both state’s inspection requirements,” said Sheridan AIS Specialist Reed Moore.
Becoming a certified inspector allows boaters to launch legally when check station hours do not align with their travel plans.
Businesses that cater to watercraft users can be certified to offer inspection services to their customer base at their location. Furthermore, any trained employees can do inspections on-site for customers.
Anyone can register online or by contacting Reed Moore at 307-675-5482 or reed.moore@wyo.gov. Please provide your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address.
The training includes information on the basic biology of invasive species, the impacts of A.I.S., transport vectors, and distribution of A.I.S. It includes classroom instruction, a question-and-answer session, and a hands-on watercraft inspection exercise.
Those who complete the class will be certified to inspect watercraft at Wyoming check stations.
Aquatic invasive species are animals like zebra and quagga mussels, rusty crayfish, or vegetation such as curly pondweed. These organisms can wreak havoc when introduced into a water system. Many invasive species permanently change stream and lake ecology, negatively affecting native species and prized sport fisheries.
