Be on the front line of defense against forest pests–Join the Forest Pest First Detectors

Three highly invasive forest pests—the emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle and hemlock woolly adelgid, have the potential to pack a crushing blow to Vermont’s woodlands and forest‐based industries. Maples, ash, hemlocks and other species that could be attacked by these pests make up nearly two‐thirds of the trees in Vermont!  The impacts to Vermont’s forest-based economy could be devastating.
•    Forest-based recreation (leaf peeping, downhill skiing, hunting, etc.) generates $1.9 billion annually in economic benefits.
•    Vermont is the largest U.S. producer of maple syrup, which contributes over $26 million annually in revenue.
•    Vermont’s forest-based manufacturing and recreation industry supports over 20,600 jobs.

Help is needed with education and outreach, volunteer recruitment, pest screening and preparing your community for a pest infestation.  Join a crew of committed volunteer Forest Pest First Detectors.

As a First Detector you will receive online, classroom and field training on:
•    Pest biology, impacts and identification
•    Screening protocol and sample collection
•    Management options
•    Don’t Move Firewood Campaign & outreach tools

Continuing education credits are available.  The 2014 in-person trainings will be held on:

Saturday, May 17th (rain date May 18th) 9:30am-5pm, Twin Valley Elementary School, Wilmington, VT
Saturday, June 7th (rain date June 8th), 9:30am-5pm, Essex High School, Essex, VT

For more information or to sign‐up
Visit: www.vtinvasives.org/firstdetectors
Call: 1‐866‐860‐1382 (toll free in VT) or 802-656-7746
Email: caitlin.cusack@uvm.edu

The program is co‐sponsored by UVM Extension, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation and Agency of Agriculture and the USDA APHIS.

Courtesy of Caitlin Cusack, UVM