Ripple: Reduce Invasive Pet and PLant Escapes

10/26/2024

Thrilled to see SO many fish and plants today at our event!

10/26/2024

Reminder: our surrender event hosted alongside the awesome Water Colors Aquarium Gallery is TODAY!

Working with aquarium and water garden owners and retailers to ensure Michigan's waterways are protected against invasive species

10/23/2024

Swamped with aquarium fish or plants and scratching your head about what to do? Swing by Water Colors Aquarium Gallery in Grand Rapids this Saturday, Oct. 26 for our FREE surrender event.

10/22/2024

It's that time of year again when pond owners are gearing up for winter! If you find yourself with more fish or plants than you can handle, remember: never release them into the wild. It's important to protect local ecosystems. Instead, reach out to a local retailer for guidance. Or better yet, join us on Saturday, October 26 at Water Colors Aquarium Gallery, where you can surrender your fish at no cost. It's a great opportunity to ensure your fish find a safe and suitable home while you prepare for the colder months!

10/10/2024

Have an aquarium fish you are looking to rehome? Not sure what to do with that unruly aquarium plant that is growing too fast? 👀Great news, we're teaming up with Water Colors Aquarium Gallery in Grand Rapids Oct. 26 to host a FREE surrender event. Join us in our efforts to keep Michigan's waterways healthy 🐟🐟🐟

Working with aquarium and water garden owners and retailers to ensure Michigan's waterways are protected against invasive species

10/10/2024

We are excited to partner with one our favorite retailers Water Colors Aquarium Gallery in Grand Rapids for a fish surrender event! Come on out October 26 to support this important initiative. We will be accepting the surrender of freshwater fish & plants.

Do you have aquarium plants or fish you can no longer care for? Surrender unwanted freshwater fish and plants at the RIPPLE event on October 26 at Water Colors Aquarium Gallery in Grand Rapids.

08/06/2024

Backyard ponds are a great way to experience nature up close. Ensure your water garden isn't having a RIPPLE effect on our lakes and streams by keeping those pond plants and fish contained and out of our waterways.

Learn more with this Michigan State University Extension article

While water gardens add beauty to backyards, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with aquatic invasive species and to prevent escape.

08/01/2024

Did you know? Aquarium friends + Michigan waterways do not mix. Don't let them loose. Local retailers and hobbyist clubs can provide advice on rehoming.

07/30/2024

We love a gorgeous water feature as much as you do, but be aware some of the most popular pond plants are also on the Michigan Invasive Species Watch List ! Take care when using them and never release any plants or fish into a natural waterway.

10/04/2023

😫 Uh-oh! This is why we preach "inspect and rinse new plants to rid them of seeds, plant fragments, snails and fish before placing them into water gardens or aquariums". Hitchhikers are common! Keep our lakes and rivers clean by never releasing plants or animals purchased from garden centers or pet stores into the wild.

08/22/2023

📣 New partner alert! Thank you Blue Thumb Retail Store for joining the RIPPLE Fresh Water Protector network and for sharing the Don't Let it Loose message with your customers! Retailers like you keep our waterways healthy.

08/18/2023

Shoutout to one of our newest Freshwater Protector Partners Aquatic Innovation for their awesome Ripple: Reduce Invasive Pet and PLant Escapes display! We're always delighted to partner with new retailers who want to share our Don't Let it Loose message 🥰

08/15/2023

Thanks UpNorthLive for sharing our Don't Let It Loose message with your followers!

Last week, Michigan woman returned a package of spinach to the Meijer store she bought it from, after her daughter found a live frog inside.

08/11/2023

Find a critter in your grocery cart? Don't let it loose. Its probably not native! Reports say this was a Pacific tree frog. In case the name doesn't give it away-- there's nothing 'pacific' about our frog friends found in the Great Lakes state 🐸 A great reminder, stowaway animals can be found just about anywhere 🧐
https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/live-frog-found-sealed-inside-organic-spinach-container-by-southfield-woman

She said she got it after buying a package of Earthbound Farms Organic Spinach.

08/10/2023

Reminder our fish surrender event is this evening at the Motor City Aquarium Society's monthly meeting! Free and open to all :)

Never release unwanted aquarium or water garden pets into the wild. At this surrender event we will be accepting common aquatic species including freshwater fish, plants, crayfish and snails. No reptiles or amphibians allowed.

08/09/2023

Happy ! Whether you call 'em crayfish, crawdads, or crawfish, these freshwater crustaceans are vital to Michigan's ecosystems, providing food for many fish, birds, and mammals.

One of the major threats to native Michigan crayfish? Invasive crayfish such as rusty crayfish.

Prevent the spread of invasives and protect Michigan waterways:

✅ Never use alive non-native crayfish for bait! 🎣

✅ Never release unwanted pet crayfish into the waterways.

✅ Know how to identify and report invasive crayfish: https://www.michigan.gov/invasives

Learn more about the different crayfish species in Michigan by checking out the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Crayfish Field Guide: https://bit.ly/3SjrnV6

For the most updated regulations see DNR’s Fishing Guide: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing

08/07/2023

Don't be cray, cray during ! This is your annual reminder: keep our waterways pure and pet crayfish out of our lakes and streams 🦞

07/31/2023

Have a freshwater aquarium or water garden you can no longer care for? Come to the August 10th Motor City Aquarium Society meeting and surrender it for free. We're thrilled to partner with Fishy Bizz and Chris’s Pet Shop to find new homes for aquatic critters 🐠. Learn more:

Never release unwanted aquarium or water garden pets into the wild. At this surrender event we will be accepting common aquatic species including freshwater fish, plants, crayfish and snails. No reptiles or amphibians allowed.