The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is wrapping up its summer mobile boat wash program.

The program, which aims to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, has visited public access sites in 19 counties, engaged with more than 800 people and washed more than 300 boats, according to a DNR announcement.

The two-person crew operates each year from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This weekend, they will be at Black Lake on Friday, Aug. 29, Mullett Lake on Saturday, Aug. 30 and Burt Lake on Sunday, Aug. 31, offering free boat washes at boating access sites.

Why it matters

Invasive plants like starry stonewort and Eurasian watermilfoil and animals like zebra and quagga mussels can foul equipment, change the habitat and choke out native species.

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