Invasive Forest Insect Outreach Volunteer Training - Lewiston

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Insect & Disease Conditions Update

Invasive Forest Insect Outreach Volunteer Training - Lewiston

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s (DACF) Forest Pest Outreach Project and its partners are offering a workshop to train people to recognize, report and spread awareness about the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), emerald ash borer (EAB), and hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) and other invasive tree pests. These invasive insects pose serious threats to the trees and forests of Maine.  ALB and EAB have not been found in Maine, but the EAB quarantine in NH abuts Maine and the largest known infestation of ALB outside of its native range was found in Worcester, MA in 2008.  The best defense for our trees and forests against these and other invasive insects is early detection by people who work with trees, those who enjoy the outdoors, and those involved in community education.

Participants will learn how to recognize and report key invasive pests such as the Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer and hemlock woolly adelgid.  They will be trained to effectively transfer information to the public to help spread awareness of these pests.  

Lorraine Taft with the Forest Pest Outreach Project (DACF, Animal and Plant Health), and Allison Kanoti with the Maine Forest Service (DACF, Maine Forest Service), will present this training. Training topics will include the potential impact of ALB, EAB and HWA in the state of Maine, current management activities, pest and infestation identification, pest life cycles, infestation reporting, host tree identification and community response planning. Three credit hours are available for licensed foresters and pesticide applicators attending this training. Pre-registration is encouraged.

Light refreshments provided.

Date:
Wednesday April 1st

Time:
10:00 am to 2:30 pm

Location:
Ramada Inn, 490 Pleasant St, Lewiston, ME

Co-Sponsors:
Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District and Maine DACF

Registration Details:
$5, Pre-registration requested by March 25, 2015: 
janeheikkinen@oxfordnetworks.net or (207) 753-9400 ext. 400

Continuing Education:
3 Credits Board of Pesticide, SAF (cat. 1 CFE), Maine Licensed Forester