SHOREHAM — Volunteers are joining forces with the Department of Natural Resources to protect Minnesota lakes from zebra mussels and other destructive species.

Clayton Jensen hands out fliers at the public access point to Lake Melissa near his home. The glossy handouts explain how boaters can prevent the spread of invasive species, which latch themselves to water craft and hitch a ride to other lakes in Minnesota.

The public access south of Detroit Lakes is now the only place for boaters use Lake Melissa.

Other boat ramps have been closed to protect the lake from zebra mussels which have invaded Pelican Lake, about six miles away.

The DNR tells Minnesota Public Radio News (http://bit.ly/N9psNS ) the agency expects to train several hundred volunteers this year to inspect boats leaving infested lakes.