There are currently 187 known nonindigenous species established in the Great Lakes. About a quarter arrived via the organisms in trade (OIT) pathway (e.g. water gardens, aquariums, etc.) with overland transport by the recreational water user (RWU) pathway (e.g. boaters, anglers, etc.) as a primary vector for their spread once they become established. Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and Illinois Natural History Survey created outreach materials aimed at these two audiences in effort to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes and Illinois. The Be a Hero-Release Zero and Be a Hero-Transport Zero campaigns were developed to provide water gardeners, aquarium hobbyists, boaters and anglers with practical steps they can take to fight the spread of aquatic invaders.  This presentation will focus on Be a Hero campaign efforts aiming to prevent the spread of aquatic invaders through a pilot aquarium retailer outreach program, aquatic pet take back events, and aquatic invader boat decontamination areas. Also discussed will be research on aquatic invertebrate bait potential for invasiveness in Illinois and a new the Great Lakes Invasive Crayfish Collaborative.