05-05-2008
Gov. Doyle Declares May 18-24, 2008 as Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week

MADISON - Gov. Jim Doyle today announced that Wisconsin will observe Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week, May 18-24, 2008. Through a proclamation, Gov. Doyle urged state residents and visitors to become better educated about emerald ash borer and the destruction it causes.

"Wisconsin is fortunate to have such vast natural resources," said Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Rod Nilsestuen. "We can all play a part in protecting those resources from invasive insects like the emerald ash borer. We urge all state residents and visitors to take it upon themselves to learn about this destructive pest and how to minimize the risk of its introduction to Wisconsin, especially through the movement of infested firewood."

The emerald ash borer (EAB) attacks all species of North American ash trees. In Wisconsin, ash species comprise on average 20 percent of urban street trees and number approximately 725 million in the state's forests. The EAB larvae kill ash by destroying the tree's water and nutrient circulatory system.

Emerald ash borer is native to Asia. It was identified as the cause of ash deaths in Michigan in 2002. Since then, it has spread throughout several Great Lakes states and Ontario, primarily through infested firewood. Approximately 25 million ash trees have been lost due to EAB.

To date, emerald ash borer has not been discovered in Wisconsin.

"I encourage all Wisconsinites and visitors to help slow the spread of EAB," Nilsestuen said. "The two most important things that people can do are to stop transporting firewood long distances, and to become better educated about the beetle."

DATCP recommends that people interested in learning about EAB visit the Wisconsin Emerald Ash Borer Program web page at www.emeraldashborer.wi.gov or request an information packet by calling the state's EAB Hotline at 1-800-462-2803.

"The signs and symptoms of EAB infestation are fairly clear, but easy to overlook if unfamiliar," Nilsestuen said. "Recognizing them, and then calling a local forester or the EAB Hotline, will help Wisconsin have a chance at managing the insect and lessening its potential impact on communities and the state as a whole."

A number of communities, parks, nature preserves and highway welcome centers are also recognizing Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week by setting out 'Don't Move Firewood' signs or tying yellow 'caution' ribbon around some ash trees.

States joining Wisconsin in Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week include Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska and Ohio.


Communities, Parks, Nature Preserves and Travel Centers
Participating in Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week

Algoma
Allouez
Appleton
Ashwaubenon
Brookfield
Brown Deer
De Pere
Eau Claire
Fox Point
Franklin
Green Bay
Greenville
Howard
La Crosse
Ladysmith
Little Chute
Madison
Mequon Nature Preserve
Milwaukee
New London
Oshkosh
Shawano
Shorewood
Sturgeon Bay
Waukesha County Parks
West Allis
West Bend
Whitewater
Wisconsin Rapids

Douglas County Welcome Center
Grant County Welcome Center
Iron County Welcome Center
Kenosha County Welcome Center
LaCrosse County Welcome Center
Rock County Welcome Center
Rock County Rest Area
St. Croix County Welcome Center

Big Foot Beach
Blue Mounds
Brunet Island
Buckhorn
Capital Springs State Rec. Area
Council Grounds
Devil's Lake
Governor Dodge
Governor Nelson
Harrington Beach
Hartman Creek
High Cliff
Interstate Park
Kettle Moraine State Forest (Pike Lake)
Kettle Moraine S.F. (Northern Unit)
Kettle Moraine S.F. (Southern Unit)
Kohler-Andrae
Lake Wissota
Merrick
Mirror Lake
New Glarus Woods
Peninsula
Perrot
Point Beach State Forest
Potawatomi
Richard Bong State Rec. Area
Roche-a-Cri
Whitefish Dunes
Willow River
Wyalusing
Yellowstone Lake

Return to Previous Page  Back to Search Results