In New Jersey, August has been proclaimed Forest Pest Awareness Month by the NJ Dept. of Agriculture. Good thing, too. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is encroaching on our Garden State. It has been found in 14 states – Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
NJ already has battled Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB). First found in Jersey City, the beetle then moved on to infect trees in other cities and towns. At that time the state had funding from the Feds to monitor, target, remove and re-plant trees in infested areas.
So what does Forest Pest Awareness Month mean? It means the NJ Dept. of Ag has issued a press release talking about bad insects and warning campers to not move firewood (Press release). That’s a start. And educating the public is a good thing…it WAS a Jersey City resident that discovered Asian Longhorned Beetle…But, I’m thinking that since NJ is practically surrounded by states with EAB, shouldn’t we be doing more? I’d love to here your thoughts.