Free invasive forest pests workshop is Sept. 17

DAMARISCOTTA — Hildy Ellis, of Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District, will present a program about invasive forest bests like the emerald ash borer on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at at Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust, 3 Round Top lane.
The free workshop will be from 10 a.m. to noon.
Invasive forest pests like emerald ash borer and hemlock woolly adelgid are having devastating impacts on Maine’s forests; browntail moth is affecting human health as well as tree health; Asian longhorned beetle, with a large host range could be the next invader on the horizon.
Using slides and an outdoor tree ID walk, this workshop will help landowners and users, as well as landscape and forestry professionals, learn to
* identify current and potential invasive forest pests and their host species, * understand the threats to our forests and woodlands posed by these pests, * limit their spread, and * how to report suspected pest sightings or damage to trees that may be a result of pest infestations
All participants will receive an information packet with fact sheets about the major pest species, how to make decisions about treatment, current quarantine information for EAB in Maine, and other relevant information.
Knox-Lincoln SWCD, a member of the Maine Association of Conservation Districts, is presenting Invasive Forest Pest Outreach Programs through a grant from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Materials are funded in part by a Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
The workshop will qualify for Pesticide Applicator credits by the Board of Pesticides Control: 2.0, and pending are Professional CFE credits by the Society of American Foresters. Category 1-CF: 2.0. For more information and to RSVP, call Julie at 207-596-2040 or email julie@knox-lincoln.org.

PHOTO: Emerald ash borers. (Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District photo)