Combatting the public
health problem of swimmer’s itch at Higgins Lake.
Our Mission Statement: To explore and understand the causes of swimmer’s itch and use science-based, humane, and environmentally-sound methods to significantly reduce swimmer’s itch.
Our Success Story: HLSIO realizes that currently there is no known control program or technology that can totally eliminate swimmer’s itch. Since 2015, Higgins Lake has seen a significant reduction in the swimmer’s itch causing parasites in the lake. The 2020 analysis of Stagnicola snails from Higgins Lake indicated a 99% decrease in avian schistosome snail infection levels from the pre-control program level.
Our Future: HLSIO will continue to work with our partners to manage merganser ducks and to assess potential other waterfowl and snail species that may contribute to swimmer’s itch. In addition we will support research into swimmer’s itch occurrence in relation to human and waterfowl activities.
Stay tune for our annual fundraising dinner in August 2024. Thank you for the great support at our 2023 dinner!
We appreciate your support!