Roots of Resilience: 20 Years of Transforming EAB Challenges into Successful Urban Forest Management

Join us for a UCFS Learning Series! This Learning Series event is hosted in collaboration with the American Public Works Association.

Free for UCFS Members; $20 for non-members

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has proven to be one of the most destructive invasive species to ever hit North American forests. Exactly 20 years after its first detection in the East Coast and Midwest of the U.S. and Canada EAB reached the Western regions in 2022. Despite decades of monitoring, treatment and extensive tree removals, EAB continues to spread west, while other threats like the Invasive Shot Hole Borer (ISHB) have been found creeping north from southern California. 

In this exclusive UCFS Learning Series, we will delve into the hard-earned wisdom from the front lines of EAB response and hear directly from experts and practitioners who have been managing EAB infestations since the early days of its detection. Whether you’re new or a seasoned veteran of EAB and other invasive pests, this session will equip you with proven strategies for engaging political stakeholders, crafting ordinances to protect trees on private property, and spearheading successful community outreach and education efforts. You’ll come away with key takeaways for detecting, treating, and managing pest outbreaks, and learn what these experts wish they had done from the beginning to prevent the spread. 

Join us for this unique opportunity to gain insights and inspiration from those who have faced the challenges of EAB head-on for the knowledge you need to manage the invasive pests in your urban and community forests.  

 Learning Objectives 

Participants will be able to: 

1. Implement the strategies for detecting, treating, and managing EAB and invasive pest outbreaks. 

1. Develop local bylaws and ordinances to protect private property trees from invasive pest outbreaks. 

1. Employ successful strategies to engage and educate local communities, governments, and other stakeholders in rallying support and resources to manage invasive pest outbreaks. 

Speakers:

• Anthony Daniel, Biologist and Urban Forester, City of Montreal, Canada
• Philip Potyondy, Sustainable Forestry Coordinator, Minneapolis Parks and Recreation
• Dr. Fredric Miller, Illinois Forest Health Specialist, State of Illinois
• Shane McQuillan, City Forester, City of Des Moines and APWA Facilities and Grounds Committee Co-Chair

ISA CEUs applied for and pending.

Register Here!