The goal of the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program is to protect Whatcom County's natural resources, infrastructure, recreation, wildlife, and economy from the impacts of aquatic invasive species by:

Fragrant waterlilly has been found to be growing in Lake Samish.

All of our education and outreach efforts are designed to help the public to understand the threat that invasive species pose to Whatcom County waters and steps they can take to help prevent their spread.

How do quagga and zebra mussels spread from an affected water body to another water body?

Traveling with plants attached to your boat/trailer in Washington State is:

Quagga and zebra mussels came to North America in the ballast tanks and on the anchor chains of large, transoceanic ships that entered the Great Lakes.