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This is Volume 1, Issue 6 of the ALB Newsletter, brought to you by the Massachusetts Introduced Pests Outreach Project (MIPOP). This newsletter contains the latest local news about the Asian longhorned beetle.
Recent News
More updates about tree removals:
- Tree removals in Worcester were temporarily halted while program officials verify that homeowners gave permission to remove host trees on their property that did not show signs of infestation. Removal of these "blue dot" trees is being done in areas where the degree of ALB infestation is high. Read more here (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
- Federal, state and city officials discuss changes that will be made to the eradication program at a Worcester meeting, in response to errors that were made. Read more here (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
- The City of Worcester has begun preliminary steps for providing tax abatements for property owners negatively impacted by tree removals. NECN has a video report.
- Worcester residents and city officials are concerned about the potential ecological and environmental impacts of ALB tree removals (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
- The tree removal process is still ahead of schedule, with main removals expected to be completed by April (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
- A summary of USDA APHIS comments about ALB at the 2009 Community Tree Conference in Amherst is available here. (Worcester Telegram & Gazette):
In other news:
- A map of outlying ALB infestations (known infested trees outside the areas where removals are currently occurring) is now available. Note that a full survey of the regulated area is still underway, so the map is likely to change
- Mass Audubon's Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary will have a float featuring ALB in Worcester's St. Patrick's Day Parade, Sunday, March 15. Ask them for an ALB penlight!
- Plymouth County Extension Educator Deborah C. Swanson was featured in an article about the potential impacts of ALB in Southeastern Massachusetts (Brockton Enterprise).
- Penn State University researchers are investigating whether ALB holds the secret to producing affordable ethanol from wood (Philadelphia Inquirer).
Job Opportunities
- The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is hiring a part-time worker to assist with ALB outreach and surveys. Deadline 3/18/2009.
Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities
- Look for ALB exhibits staffed by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and USDA APHIS-PPQ at:
- Maple Days at Old Sturbridge Village, March 14-15
- ALB identification training for Master Gardeners, Elm Bank. The Master Gardeners will also have ALB pamphlets and ID cards at their Blooms! events across Boston, March 13-15.
- Northeast Campground Association Meeting in Springfield, MA, March 19-21
- - Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference in Worcester, MA, March 28. Featuring an ALB workshop featuring the Greater Worcester Land Trust, Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources, and Mass Audubon, including a field trip to GWLT property!
- Watertown is holding an ALB informational session, featuring local tree wardens and a representative from DCR, on Monday, March 16 at 7 p.m., at Town Council Chambers, 149 Main St.
- Bob Childs from UMass Extension will be speaking about ALB to the Green Industry in Plymouth County, March 17, and at a UMass Extension Pest and Weed Seminar in Wareham, March 23.
- Ongoing: The Greater Worcester Land Trust is still looking for volunteers to assist with its ALB surveys. Surveys are about to start up again for the spring - call 508-795-3838 or email anne@gwlt.org for details. No experience is required - you will be trained on site. More information here.
Regulated Area
General Information
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.
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