As the snow melts away, it’s time to put away our snowmobiles as we get ready for another favorite Yooper pastime: hitting the trails with our Off-Road Vehicles (ORV) and All Terrain Vehicles (ATV). Did you know that while hitting the trails, you could accidentally be spreading invasive species? Invasive species are plants, animals, and other organisms that invade ecosystems and dominates them by impairing vital functions, structures, creates human health concerns, and limits recreation opportunities. Once an invasive species becomes established in the wild, it can take years of persistent management before its infestation is eradicated.
As ORVs and ATVs become more popular in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, so does the risk of the spread of invasive species. As the season’s change, invasive species spread their seeds into the mud and soil. As ORVs and ATVs ride along the trail, the mud that attaches to the vehicle can contain the invasive species seeds and carry them to a new habitat. While a muddy ORV may be a badge of honor for a rider, it’s really troublesome when the mud gets brought home or to a new trail, as it could be hiding seeds from invasive species such as wild parsnip (causes painful rashes), garlic mustard (eliminates grouse and deer habitat), and others.
To prevent the spread of invasive species on our trails and throughout the state, all you need is 5 minutes before you leave the trail. First, visually inspect your vehicle paying close attention to the tires, wheel arches, engine housing, and undercarriage. Do you notice any mud or plant matter? If so, remove any seeds, plant material, and mud before leaving the trail using a hose, compressed air gun, leaf blower, or pressure washer prior to the mud drying. Once the mud dries, it becomes much more difficult to remove and the “caked on” or dried mud may require the use of a pressure washer, chisel, or broom to remove it from difficult areas. If you don’t have a source of compressed air, leaf blower, or pressure washer, take your ORV, ATV, and other equipment to a self-serve car wash to clean off the mud. If you’re hauling your ATVs in a vehicle and trailer, take a few extra minutes to check for mud and plant material on your trailer, tires, wheel arches, vehicle chassis, cabin floor, and engine bay, following the same cleaning procedures as your ATV. Make sure to repeat these steps each time before heading to a new trail or heading home from your adventure.
As the saying goes, taking 5 extra minutes at the end of the day saves you an hour in the morning. By taking these quick and easy steps to clean your equipment before leaving the trail, you’re not only helping to protect our wild and natural Upper Peninsula from invasive species, you’re also saving yourself time from having to clean up a muddy garage or storage shed, or having to fight stubborn caked-on mud. Together we can prevent the spread of invasive species on our trails and keep them a thrillful wonder for all to enjoy!
If you have any questions or want to learn more about invasive species, contact the Three Shores CISMA today through our website (www.threeshorescisma.org), Facebook or Instagram accounts, email us at threeshorescisma@gmail.com, or call us at 906-630-7139. Hope to see you out on the trails!
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