EAB Risk Management Training Offered Throughout The State

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The public will soon have one more tool to use in the fight against an invasive species that has devastated ash trees in the northern and central part of the state. The Illinois Department of Agriculture and University of Illinois Extension are hosting a series of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Risk Management training seminars for persons looking for more information about this beetle and what they can do to help stop its spread.

EAB is a small, (1/2-inch long, 1/8-inch wide) metallic green beetle native to Asia. Discovered in Illinois in 2006, it has since spread throughout northeast Illinois and remote locations in and around LaSalle and Bloomington. EAB feeds only on members of the Fraxinus genus or true Ash trees. If trees go untreated, the death rate is 100 percent. If infested trees are not treated or removed, EAB will continue its destructive path — eventually wiping out all Ash trees.

"Ash trees make-up a large percentage of our green canopy in Illinois," Agriculture Director Tom Jennings said.  "EAB destruction has and will continue to have a huge impact on our state's landscape. This training will equip municipalities, park districts and others with the information needed to assist local communities in preparing for or dealing with an EAB infestation."

The seminars will help attendees identify EAB, learn the early signs of an affected tree and how state and federal quarantines are implemented once EAB is confirmed in a community.

"After analyzing our latest round of purple traps, we are pleased that no beetles were found outside of the current quarantine zone," Warren Goetsch, Bureau Chief of Environmental Programs, said.  "While it is great news that this invasive beetle was not found on the traps, I want to encourage people to go to these trainings so they are equipped with the knowledge to detect EAB early on and help protect our Ash trees around the state."

There is no fee to attend the EAB Risk Management training, but reservations are required at all locations. Reservations can be made by either emailing Brenda Smith at bsmith3@illinois.edu or calling her at (309) 836-3366. If emailing, please include "EAB registration" in the subject line and indicate which date and location you will be attending along with the name of your organization and your contact information.

The following is a list of EAB Risk Management seminars:

 
University of Illinois Extension
Rock Island County Office
Nov. 2, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Reservation deadline: Oct. 26
321 W. 2nd Avenue
Milan, Ill. 61264
Directions can be found at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/rockisland/findus.html

    
Wildlife Prairie State Park
Nov. 3, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Reservation deadline: Oct. 23
3826 N. Taylor Road
Hanna City, Ill. 61536
Directions can be found at:  www.wildlifeprairiestatepark.org

University of Illinois Extension
Sangamon County Office
Nov. 4, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Reservation deadline: Oct. 28
2501 North 8th Street
Illinois State Fairgrounds, Bldg #30
Springfield, Ill. 62702
Directions can be found at:  http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/sangamonmenard/findus.html

Collinsville Area Recreational District
(CARD) Activity Center
Nov. 17, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Reservation deadline: Nov. 10
10 Gateway Drive
Collinsville, Ill. 62234
Directions for can be found at: www.collinsvillerec.com

University of Illinois Extension
Effingham County Office
Nov. 18, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Reservation deadline: Nov. 11
1209 Wenthe Drive
Effingham, Ill. 62401
Directions can be found at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/effingham/findus.html

University of Illinois Extension
Champaign County Office
Dec. 1, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Reservation deadline: Nov.24
801 Country Fair Drive
Suite D
Champaign, Ill. 61821
Directions can be found at:  http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/champaign/findus.html