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NEWS RELEASE l Ohio Department of Agriculture |
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Governor Bob Taft Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson Director Fred L. Dailey |
Communications Office8995 East Main Street • Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068 Phone: 614-752-9817 • Fax 614-466-7754 ODA URL: www.ohioagriculture.gov • e-mail: agri@agri.ohio.gov |
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Boy Scouts and Task Force Gather for Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (May 25, 2005) – Ohio Agriculture Director Fred L. Dailey, along with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, helped northwest Ohio Boy Scouts kick off a new Invasive Species Awareness Award program at the Maumee State Forest for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Awareness Week.
“For many generations, the Boy Scouts have served as students of our environment and ambassadors of community service,” Dailey said. “Time and again, Scouts have committed to making a difference in their communities, and we are honored to have them join us in educating citizens about EAB and how they can help prevent its spread in northwest Ohio.”
The new Boy Scout program will be offered to over 1,500 Ohio and Michigan Scouts attending camp this summer at the Pioneer Scout Reservation. The award challenges Scouts to identify invasive species and analyze their impact on the ecosystem. Participants also have to undertake a project to minimize the impact of an invasive species in the camp. Boy Scouts attending today’s event got hands-on knowledge about ash tree identification, the impact of inadvertently moving infested firewood, the economic value of ash timber, and current efforts to eliminate the pest.
In addition to the Boy Scouts, local officials and members of Ohio’s EAB Task Force gathered at the state forest to help create awareness about the Emerald Ash Borer and regional eradication efforts to combat the pest, which is lethal to ash trees. The Maumee State Forest, which is infested with EAB, has been “timbered” to serve as an example to woodlot owners interested in harvesting ash timber.
Earlier this week, Ohio Gov. Bob Taft proclaimed May 22-28 Ohio EAB Awareness Week to remind citizens to refrain from moving firewood in northwest Ohio. Firewood is the major source of Ohio’s Emerald Ash Borer infestations – an important message as the camping season opens over Memorial Day weekend.
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Media Contact: Melissa Brewer, EAB Communications, 614.728.6404
