Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week begins Sunday across New York State.
Could you identify this bright-green pest if you saw it?
That’s what state officials hope this fourth annual observance will accomplish, urging all residents and visitors “to exercise environmental stewardship to protect trees from infestation that can be devastating to landscapes, habitats and forest product industries” by learning “as much as possible about the emerald ash borer and the destruction it causes to trees.”
Joe Martens, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, said the week “is an opportunity to highlight and encourage New Yorkers to look for and report signs of infestations in an effort to mitigate the negative impacts of this destructive beetle.” Martens also reminded campers to stick to local firewood since the spread of the EAB and other forest pests is exacerbated through human intervention.The emerald ash borer was first discovered in the Empire State in 2009.
Residents or visitors who spot the pest are encouraged to report possible infestations by filling out an Emerald Ash Borer Survey Form. More information can be obtained from the DEC’s Emerald Ash Borer web page at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/72136.html or by calling the DEC’s toll-free hotline at 1-866-640-0652.