ALB Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 2 (1/12/2009)

This is Volume 1, Issue 2 of the ALB Newsletter, brought to you by the Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Project (MIPOP). This newsletter contains the latest news, links, events and volunteer opportunities for Asian longhorned beetle, and is published weekly or biweekly, depending on the volume of information available.

Recent News

• State and federal legislators are partnering with local organizations to bolster efforts to replant trees in areas impacted by ALB (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
• Lack of funds hampers the cleanup of wood debris in the regulated zone following the December 2008 ice storm (West Boylston & Boylston Banner)
• Shrewsbury starts their open burning season early to allow homeowners to burn tree debris from the ice storm (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
• WFCR's "Field Notes" covers the ALB (audio file)
• Video footage of some of the first infested trees to be removed in Worcester (Daily Worcesteria)
• How to make your very own Asian longhorned beetle costume:
• The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) provides advice for dealing with wood debris caused by the storm

Funding and Legislation

• Legislation to create a civil penalty of $25,000 for interfering in ALB eradication efforts passed the Senate and House and is now on the Governor's desk (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
• Read the text of HR 5189 (pdf)

Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities

• 1/17/2009: The Massachusetts Maple Producers Association Annual Meeting (100+ attendees) and Northeast Organic Farming Association Winter Meeting (300+ attendees) will feature ALB displays from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). The Maple Producers meeting will include a talk by Robert Childs, UMass Extension.
• 2/4/2009-2/6/2009: The New England Grows green industry exposition will also feature a talk from Robert Childs, and will have information about ALB and other plant pests presented by USDA-APHIS-PPQ and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
• 2/2009: Watch for MDAR and USDA-APHIS-PPQ staffing ALB booths at various RV shows across Massachusetts.
• Ongoing: The Greater Worcester Land Trust is still looking for volunteers to assist with its ALB surveys. Activities have been temporarily suspended due to winter weather conditions but those interested in future surveys can call 508-795-3838 or email anne@gwlt.org. No experience is required - you will be trained on site. More information here.

Regulated Area

• Most recent regulated area map (from 12/23/2008)

General Information

• The latest maps, fact sheets, and information can be found at the official website of the Massachusetts ALB Cooperative Eradication Program
• UMass Extension’s ALB page
• Asian Longhorned Beetle page from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette

If you have ALB-related links or other information that you would like to share, email pestalert@massnrc.org.

You are receiving this message because you signed up to receive the ALB Newsletter from the Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Project (MIPOP). Visit our website for more information (http://www.massnrc.org/pests), or to make changes to your pest alerts subscription (http://massnrc.org/pests/signup.aspx).

DISCLAIMER: The listing of hyperlinks in this newsletter does not constitute endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. MIPOP makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of any of these links.