The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and partners are planning treatments for three isolated gypsy moth infestation within the cities of Chisholm, Stillwater and Lakeville this spring. In anticipation of the proposed treatments, the department is inviting people to learn about the effort at three separate informational meetings.

The MDA will host open houses to share information with citizens about the threat gypsy moths pose to the environment and how officials plan to protect the urban forest.

Chisholm Block (133 acres) 5:30 – 6:30 PM, February 20, 2019 
Chisholm City Hall 316 W Lake Street Chisholm, MN 55719

Stillwater Block (633 acres) 5:00-7:00 PM, February 26, 2019
Stillwater City Hall 216 4th St N, Stillwater, MN 55082

Lakeville Block (135 acres) 5:00-6:00 PM, March 6, 2019
Lakeville Water Treatment Facility, 18400 Ipava Avenue Lakeville, MN 55044

For more information on the proposed treatments or to sign up for text/email updates, go to www.mda.state.mn.us/gmtreatments.

Minnesota needs your help to detect and identify harmful forest pests! Registration for the 2019 Forest Pest First Detector workshop is open now through February 25. Space is limited, so early registration is strongly encouraged! Cost is $50, and includes the online course and in-person workshop, including lunch and refreshments. Registrants will learn invasive species identification, tree disease identification, reporting methods and common transportation routes for pests.

This workshop is intended for anyone with an interest in invasive species or current Forest Pest First Detectors looking for a refresher. Continuing education credits are available for ISA, SAF, Master Gardener/Naturalist, MN Tree Inspector, and MLEP.

• March 4, 2019
  9:00am – 4:00 pm
  St. Cloud, Minnesota

Learn more and register today at z.umn.edu/fpfd

Forest Pest Gypsy Moth Surveyor (Agricultural Technician) positions with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture are now posted as one combined job post on the State of Minnesota Careers website: https://www.mn.gov/careers 

• The job post is available for applications February 8 – 28,^, 2019. Job ID: 29768

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the University of Minnesota (U of M) are holding regional emerald ash borer meetings in Detroit Lakes and a webinar. Information presented will include management strategies being utilized throughout the state, updates on new infestations, changes in regulations, outreach efforts, and research the U of M has conducted regarding emerald ash borer. Feel free to attend in person in Detroit Lakes or online for the webinar based on your availability.

These meetings are intended for those that are responsible for EAB management planning and decision making (city foresters, public works supervisors, city administrators, SWCDs, forest managers, etc). They are provided free of charge by a USDA Forest Service grant with assistance from MN DOT Detroit Lakes.

• February 27, 2019
  MN Department of Transportation
  100 Highway 10 West
  Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
  9 am – 12 noon
• March 5, 2019
  Webinar
  9 am – 12 noon

Visit https://goo.gl/forms/T1jmqWLUaAmFRuBH3 to register for either session or contact Jennifer Burington at 651-201-6097 to register by phone.

Please take a few minutes to complete a survey about EAB management even if you are not attending https://goo.gl/forms/gs5k2EJjw6tnKDtC2.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) staff will be leading free EAB Field Workshops in Clearwater and Duluth. These hour-long outdoor workshops will provide an opportunity to get a firsthand look at EAB-infested trees and will assist the community in becoming familiar with early detection. General EAB biology, distribution, management, regulation and treatment will also be covered. Workshops are provided free of charge through support from the US Forest Service.

• March 25-29: Clearwater, MN
• April 2-4: Duluth, MN

Registration will open in early March at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab or contact MDA for more information.