Gov. Snyder Asks: Did You Know Baby's Breath is Invasive?

*This article was written by Aysha Jamali.

Although schools are open, the weather still says summer and Michiganders continue to visit the Great Lakes. 

Gov. Rick Snyder spoke in Novi last month about protecting the Great Lakes from invasive species. 


>>See the video above of Snyder talking about a species that people are often unaware is invasive. 

"I am a nerd, so when I was finally able to get a date," Snyder said to laughs from the audience during his visit to the Fox Run Retirement Community. 

Continuing his story, he said getting flowers to give on a first date meant going to the florist who would often ask whether to include baby's breath. 

"Did you know baby's breath is an invasive species?" he said. 

Snyder gave this example to illustrate how much more people need to learn about invasive species beyond those like Asian carp.

The Council of Great Lakes Governors held the first summit in eight years about the Great Lakes on Mackinac Island in June, he said. They discussed topics like invasive species and water quality. Snyder said they also worked on the "least wanted list" of invasive species, which includes baby's breath. 

"One of our biggest issues is education," he said. 

Snyder made that clear when many in the crowd at Fox Run were shocked to learn that baby's breath is invasive. 

Did you know baby's breath is an invasive species in Michigan? Do you think Michigan needs to do more to protect the Great Lakes? Tell us in the comments.