Registration for the 2025 Starry Trek is now open.
The event is taking place on August 9
About Starry Trek
Started in 2017, Starry Trek is a statewide event focused on searching for one of Minnesota's newest aquatic invasive species, starry stonewort (and other invaders). Starry stonewort is an invasive algae that was first found in Lake Koronis in 2015 and has since spread to 19 Minnesota lakes (learn more about starry stonewort and our research). This event is an opportunity for you to team up with us and hundreds of your fellow Minnesotans to better understand its distribution in Minnesota.
What you'll do
You will meet at a local training site hosted by one of our local partners where you will receive a brief training on how to identify starry stonewort and other target aquatic invasive species and how to follow the search protocols. Groups are then sent out to nearby priority lakes to follow the protocols and bring back any suspicious organisms. Starry Trek is a free event and no experience or special equipment is required.
Questions you might have
Do I have to be an expert in identification to participate?
No! All you have do is be ready to spend some time outside! We'll provide all the training you need to participate. No previous experience or knowledge required.
Can my children/grandchildren participate too?
Absolutely! Yes! It's a great event for families to do together. In fact, youth participating with their families have made some important discoveries during this event, like this one where a twelve year old discovers invasive clams as shared in this story. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Will I need a vehicle to participate?
Maybe. Once you arrive at the local training site you will be put into teams and be given monitoring routes to follow. A vehicle will be required to visit those monitoring routes, however if you are comfortable riding with another participant you may not need to drive your own.
Check out more FAQs on the registration page. Click here.