Conservation police officers enforce regulations regarding the possession and use of potentially harmful aquatic invasive species (AIS) as well as interact with groups that are at risk of spreading AIS such as boaters, anglers, and aquarium hobbyists. However, officers do not always have the training to feel confident in their ability to distinguish between native and non-native species of aquatic plants and animals.

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant hosted a half-day workshop on state AIS regulations and species identification as part of an annual training meeting for Illinois conservation police officers in 2024 in Decatur, Illinois. Invasive species experts provided officers with hands-on experience identifying fish, plant, and crayfish species and the opportunity to handle live and preserved specimens. We also provided the officers with resources on species identification as well as about laws and enforcement options for species covered in the workshop.

Working with partners, we trained 102 officers during the workshop. After the workshop, officers reported higher confidence in AIS education as compared with reported levels in a pre-workshop survey. Officers also reported high levels of knowledge recall, skill development, workshop engagement, and application of what was learned to a broader context.