From the Helm | Boating Broadcast with Wildlife Forever

Welcome to From the Helm with MarineMax, where hosts Lisa and Kelley connect with boating industry leaders for weekly Boating Broadcasts. In this episode, Dane Huinker, Conservation Program Manager and Julia Luger, Education and Communications Director for Wildlife Forever, sit down with us to discuss their three main programs: State-Fish ART, Prairie City USA (habitat restoration), and the Clean Drain Dry initiative (invasive species prevention).

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Notes and Talking Points 

  • INTRO – 3 Min

    • Welcome to From the Helm Boating Broadcast

    • We’re your Hosts Lisa and Kelley 

    • Interact with us in the comments section and if you like what you see, please share this with your friends! The more the merrier. 

    • For audio only listeners, thank you for joining us! 

    • QUESTION OF THE DAY: What is a Zebra Mussel? 

  • COMING UP on Today's Boating Broadcast… 

    • HEADLINES: Boating Acts of Congress (new bills passing to make boating better!), Resources for new boaters, and the Aquila 36 Cruiser. 

    • SOCIAL UPDATE: Adorable first mates 

    • GUEST

      • Julia Luger, Education and Communications Director

      • Dane (HEEN-KER) Huinker, Conservation Program Manager for Wildlife Forever

  • GUEST: 20-30 minute interview

    • (2 MINUTES) Overview of Wildlife Forever’s mission 

      • Website: https://www.wildlifeforever.org/home/about/

      • National organization, member based, any amount donated adds you to the membership; around for 32 years

      • They focus on all types of projects from elk habitat restoration to Artificial reefs of the coast of FL

      • 3 main programs: State fish ART, habitat restoration (prairie city USA), clean drain dry initiative (invasive species prevention) 

    • (7:40 MINUTES) The Clean, Drain, Dry initiative: 

      • VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=MOgPuCm3HYk&feature=emb_logo

      • What is a Zebra Mussel? 

      • Talk more about invasive species and the importance of conservation

        • Invasive species are Introduced from other areas, usually brought in by ballast tanks from vessels outside of the location

        • They’re dangerous because they out produce native species, killing them off

      • Partnered with MarineMax Minnesota stores on a campaign to prevent the spread of invasive species between lakes. Shout out to the teams!

      • Wild spotter is a citizen scientist program app to allow volunteers to report new infestations 

      • (15:30 minutes) “Habitatitude” - Program about humans setting pets loose, that then become an invasive species or dangerous to the surrounding habitat

      • (19 MINUTES) Starry stone wart is a newer invasive algae that grows at the surface, clogging waterways. Also a danger to boat propellers. 

      • “AN ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”

    • (26:30 MINUTES) The STATE-FISH ART project

    • GUEST SOCIAL/WEBSITES: 

      • Website | https://www.wildlifeforever.org/

  • (32 MINUTES) Wrap up 

  • Reminder - You can see MORE episodes of Boating Broadcast on the MarineMax Blog - accessible on the web or through the MarineMax app. 

  • HEADLINES - 10 MIN

  • SOCIAL UPDATE (Landen) - 10 MIN

    • (45 MINUTES)  Here’s a look at what’s going on in the social media world! 

      • #MMXPETS IT DOESNT GET ANY CUTER ITS PAWFECT

      • SmugMug Gallery

      • What’s your official state boat? 

    • Reminder: Subscribe, Follow and Tag us to keep up to date on Boating News and share your boating stories

      • Facebook – @MarineMaxLeisure

      •  Instagram & YouTube – @MarineMaxOnline

      • Twitter - @MarineMax

    • (50 minutes) Podcast shout out Spotify and Apple

      • Boating Broadcast

      • Boating Tips LIVE

  • EXIT (LISA) - 5 MIN

    • Thank you to our guest: 

      • Julia Luger, Education and Communications Director

      • Dane (HEEN-KER) Huinker, Conservation Program Manager for Wildlife Forever

    • (52 minutes) We hope you enjoyed today's Boating Broadcast, as always, Stay healthy, boat happy!