 Well every summer we tell you about new reports of zebra mussels or other aquatic invasive species in Minnesota's lakes. Tonight Clayton Castle tells us about the Initiative Foundation and its mission of helping to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species in Minnesota lakes. Summer nights on the lakes are over for 2017, but the work to fight the spread of aquatic invasive species never ends. Thanks to the Initiative Foundation, five innovative pilot projects received grants to aid in stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species in Minnesota lakes. In 2014, the LaSarde-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council recommended to the legislature that we receive a grant of four million dollars to support innovative strategies to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species statewide. One of those projects is the Boat Bucket Water Project at the Akin County Soil and Water Conservation District. Another project involves lake water and providing clean water for anglers to take to their next fishing destination. And we're going to provide clean water for them to replace the water that they drain out so that they can keep their minnows or leeches alive and use them again at their next fishing location. Another exciting project is the Itasca County Aquatic Invasive Species Program's project to create a partnership between resorts and other lakeside businesses with the program to aid in providing solutions to stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species. We're here to reach out to resorts, lodges, campgrounds, marinas, and say, how can we help you? We hear our AAS programs. How can we help you? Again, historically there haven't been as many partners in the resort community. And yet it appears that Itasca, Vermilion, and Cass County have found a way to not only make them partners, but allow them to lead the project. In the end, the Initiative Foundation believes the way to reaching its goal of stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species is through innovative and creative projects that have not been done before. When the LaSarde-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council recommended this grant, they really were intentionally giving us permission to work outside of the box to support some more innovative strategies. Reporting in Brainerd, Clayton Castle, Lakeland News. $354,000 in grants by the Initiative Foundation were awarded to the five projects. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.