New Melones Lake Sponsors Mussel Prevention Education Booth at the Sonora Home and Garden Show

Written by: Sandra Patania and Patricia Sanders

New Melones booth at Sonora Home and Garden Show On Saturday and Sunday, April 9 and 10, 2016, the Bureau of Reclamation’s Central California Area Office, New Melones Field Office, staffed a booth at the Sonora Home and Garden Show in partnership with Sonora’s Union Democrat newspaper.

New Melones Park Rangers Pat Sanders, Joshua Pelham and Annilie Kelley and Natural Resource Specialist Sandra Patania staffed the booth, interacting with several thousand visitors, including school and youth groups. Promotional materials on “Every Kid in a Park” and “National Park Week” were provided.

The booth also offered information on fishing opportunities at New Melones. With low lake levels as a result of the drought, many visitors appreciated knowing that good recreational fishing may still be found at New Melones Reservoir. Colorful photos, a variety of brochures and mussel prevention handouts attracted visitors to the booth.

Educating the public on aquatic invasive species and how to prevent their introduction was also highlighted at the Home and Garden Show. Through interpretive displays, visitors gained an appreciation of the impact that invasive species have on river and lake ecosystems. Special attention was given to preventing Quagga and Zebra mussel infestations and the problems associated with water hyacinth in the region’s waterways. The link between lost fishing opportunities and the introduction of aquatic invasive species was a message that was strongly emphasized.

Visitors also learned about protecting cultural and natural resources, restoring the health of waterways, and the critical importance of water conservation to ensure a healthy and vibrant outdoor legacy for generations to come.

Published on April 27, 2016