Sheboygan woman learned about lakes from her grandfathers. She was recognized for invasive species mitigation work.

PLYMOUTH – When Amy Kretlow was halfway through her first semester at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to become a physician’s assistant, she discovered she wanted to follow a different path.

She had earned her associate’s degree in radiology seven years earlier, but an interest in aquatic environments shifted her focus to environmental sciences.

“I always had a desire for an outside (job),” Kretlow said. “I just did a total 180.”

Kretlow grew up with two grandfathers who were passionate about Lake Michigan and the state’s inland lakes. One of them told her stories about his time in the Navy. They taught her about lake ecosystems, the fish and plants that live within. She spent summers at a cottage on a lake. She developed a knowledge of and respect for the water.

“I've always been teaching that to my grandchildren, too,” Kretlow said.

Kretlow , Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ aquatic invasive species program coordinator, was among a dozen individuals and groups given 2024 Invasive Species Action awards from the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council earlier this summer . The council, composed of state agency, educational, nonprofit and business representatives, makes recommendations on invasive species classification and control.

She was recognized for her contributions to aquatic invasive species mitigation. Kretlow started with the DNR as a temporary AIS monitor in 2014. Since, she's been a southeast Wisconsin AIS coordinator and organisms in trade coordinator.

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Kretlow transitioned from monitoring invasive species to improving the AIS program, aimed at reducing the spread of and mitigating the harm of invasives.

The AIS program has shifted focus to “Prevent, Contain and Control," not complete invasive species removal. Michelle Nault, lakes and rivers section manager at WDNR, said this redirection was influenced by a better understanding of invasives and data collection.

“Historically, we've had this kind of fear-based, knee-jerk reaction, ‘All invasive species are bad,' ‘Kill them at all costs,’ sort of approach,” Nault said. That approach has become more "pragmatic" and "levelheaded."

“I think understanding that invasive species can act differently in different scenarios has been part of that shift,” Nault said.

Eurasian watermilfoil, red swamp crayfish and quagga mussels were among a handful of destructive invasive aquatic species in Wisconsin waterbodies Kretlow identified in a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel interview last year.

The non-native aquatic plant Eurasian watermilfoil has been reported in about 945 lakes and rivers in Wisconsin, according to a WNDR database . Although widely spread, Nault said populations rose to a nuisance level in less than 10% of waterbodies.

“I don't think it is throwing in the towel by any means," Nault said about moving strategies away from invasive species elimination. "I think if anything, we're doubling down on the prevention aspect, because if we can prevent the next Eurasian watermilfoil ... that's going to be a lot more cost effective, ecologically sound than trying to do this reactive approach of chasing these invasive species after they're on the landscape.”

Nault said she’s seen Kretlow “excel” at amplifying communication that people should work to prevent invasives’ spread, rather than strive for "true eradication." Completely eliminating invasive species is difficult and probably unlikely, she added.

Early success with AIS prevention among boaters

Kretlow said AIS, which has coordinators or funding in nearly 72 counties, launched a pilot program last year to help boaters prevent the spread of invasive species. Dock service providers were trained and boat cleaning kits were stocked.

Kretlow said the department learned some people didn’t know what steps to take or lacked necessary cleaning equipment. She credited the department’s AIS biologists' “time and devotion” with a successful shift among the public to take ownership in stopping the spread. The public has been more receptive to adopting preventive measures and seeking alternatives to regulated species.

“They're wanting more natives,” Kretlow said. “They're asking about what they can have for a crayfish boil instead of red swamp crayfish.”

Every boater can adopt “clean, drain and dry" before leaving a boat landing to prevent the spread of invasives — clean off visible plants, animals and materials; drain any water devices; let the boat, motor and equipment dry before returning to the water.

Have a story tip? Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com . Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @alexx_garner .

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan woman learned about lakes from her grandfathers. She was recognized for invasive species mitigation work.