An educational program, “Emerging Invasive Forest Pests: Identification, Prevention & Management,” has been set for Wednesday, January 16th, 2019 from 9 am to 3:30 pm at the St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES Education Center’s Classroom A, 40 West Main Street in Canton, NY.

The program will provide information on four invasive species in the Adirondacks, Asian Spotted Lanternfly; Asian Earthworms; Oak Wilt; and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, as well as a Hemlock Woolly Adelgid scouting trip.

Presenters include: Charlotte Malmborg, NYS Hemlock Initiative, Cornell University Department of Natural Resources; Kelsey McLaughlin, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Lands and Forest, Bureau of Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health; and Paul Hetzler, Horticulture & Natural Resources Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension-St. Lawrence County.

This program can be counted towards ISA CEU Credits: Arborist—5; Municipal—5; BCMS Science—2.5; BCMA Practice—2.5 NYLT CEU Credit: 1, and NYSDEC Pesticide Credits: 4.50 in Categories 2, 3a, 9, 10, & 25; 1.00 in Categories 1a & 22. SAF Credits: Pending.

A schedule as follows:

8:15-8:45 Registration
8:45-9:00 Welcome and Introduction
9:00-9:45 Asian Spotted Lanternfly: Paul Hetzler, CCE-St. Lawrence, will present on this invasive planthopper which poses a threat to hardwoods, notably maples. In 2018, seven SLF adults were confirmed in 5 Upstate NY counties. Learn to ID all life stages, egg masses, & host species.
9:45-10:30 Asian Earthworms: 3 species in 2 genera deplete forest soils, inhibit regeneration, increase erosion, & disrupt native plant communities. First 2 NNY finds near Potsdam, NY in 2018. Learn signs, symptoms, sample methods, & ways to slow the spread. (Hetzler)
10:30-10:45 Break
10:45-11:45 Oak Wilt: Kelsey McLaughlin of NYS Department of Environmental Conservation will present on oak wilt’s history, spread, case studies, and potential mitigation & treatment.
11:45-12:15 Lunch: Provided.
12:15-1:15 Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: Charlotte Malmborg of the New York State Hemlock Initiative at Cornell University’s Department of Natural Resources will present on the history of the HWA, its biology, spread, and options for monitoring and control, as well as updates on biocontrol rearing and deployment at Cornell’s Whitmore Lab.
1:30-3:30 HWA Scouting: Attendees will caravan to a site 15 min. away. Dress for the weather. Participants will scout for HWA in hemlock stands using a variety of sampling methods.
3:30 Questions, Discussion, NYSDEC Pesticide Certificates, Wrap-up

Pre-registration is required. Cost is $10 and includes lunch and materials. To register or for more information, call (315) 379-9192 or ph59@cornell.edu.

Photo of young spotted lanternflies courtesy wikimedia user Rkillcrazy.