EAB and ALB info session

Since this past summer's discovery of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) at the West Point campus in Orange County, NY, our staff has been corresponding with Michael Singho, a Horticultural Inspector with the NYS Dept of Agriculture and Markets.  If you've been in the museum over the past few months, you've probably noticed the big posters about Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) as well as information packets about EAB.  These educational brochures were provided by Mr. Singho as a cooperative effort to get the word out about the invasion and destructive potential of these two exotic insect species.

Mr Singho will be presenting a special lecture open to the public at the Greenburgh Public Library on Dec 8th at 10am.  Here is the text of Mr. Singho's email to Westmoreland:

I am writing to inform you that I will be giving an Asian Longhorned Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer update at the Greenburgh Public Library (300 Tarrytown Road, Elmsford NY 10523) on Thursday December 8 th , 2011 at 10:00am.

The session will last approximately 2 hours, and include a question and answer portion.

In addition to my presentation, Rick Harper of Cornell Cooperative Extension will be in attendance to answer pesticide and preventative treatment questions.

As many of you know Emerald Ash Borer has been found in Orange County.  Although it is unknown which direction the beetle will migrate in next, its arrival in Westchester County is inevitable.  When it does arrive, there will be some drastic changes to wood handling practices as the quarantine law is imposed.

Although I encourage everyone to attend, those who work in Orange County (or north) will find this session of particular interest.

Please contact Anne Jaffe-Holmes of the Greenburgh Nature Center to pre-register at 914-813-1251. 

The Westmoreland staff would like to encourage all who are available to attend to do so.  The control and mitigation of this problem will require the diligent eyes and participation of all NY citizens.  Please help us in the fight to protect our forests and community trees from these destructive pests.

-Adam Zorn, Naturalist