This year, Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week is May 19th to 26th for 2024.
While the loss of our ash trees is inevitable, identifying infestations early and slowing the spread will give communities time to plan to mitigate the economic and ecological impacts of the pest.
The links below will give you tools and resources to raise awareness of this invasive pest and help prepare your communities to respond to its arrival. Contact Ginger.Nickerson@uvm.edu for questions and materials.
- How to Identify Ash Trees
- Host a Tree Tagging Event
- For Communities: Host an Informational Event
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- Emerald Ash Borer Basics Video (Video)
- Host an ash walk in your community
- Check out this example of a Community Ash Tree Walk on South Hero (6 min video)
- Powerpoints and Presentation Notes (updated Feb. 2018, does not include all current EAB infestations in VT)
- Review and discuss Case studies and Preparedness Plans from other towns
- Confirmed Locations of EAB in Vermont Map
- List of Municipalities with EAB Infestations
- Publicity Ideas
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- Run a story in your local paper or radio station
- Host an EAB Awareness Table at the Farmers Market or Drop-Off Station (contact Ginger.Nickerson@uvm.edu for literature)
- Host a “Don’t Move Firewood” Coloring Page Contest with your local newspaper, and display the submitted pages on the windows of a local store front, post office, or town office.
- Post events on your community Facebook Page and Front Porch Forum
- For Teachers: Educational Resources
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- The Nature Walk: Understanding the Life Cycle of Emerald Ash Borer (4 min video for youth)
- Activity Book (for younger students)
- What's that? 10 Emerald Ash Borer Scenarios
- Writing prompts: have your students write a research papers, persuasive essay, or a creative piece about emerald ash borer and its impact on Vermont trees and forests
- Organize a tree tagging event, see above
- Emerald ash borer lesson plans from UMaine Extension 4-H
- Start a campaign to get the Governor to Declare Emerald Ash Borer Awareness week
- For Sharing on Social Media
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- Share this 2-minute video on social media: Keeping VT Forests Beautiful and Healthy
- Share these posts on Front Porch Forum or social media sites
- Share this PSA for EAB
- Additional Resources
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- Don’t Move Firewood.org
- EAB University
- Recommendations to Slow the Spread
- EAB Poster - great for libraries, Town Hall or Transfer Station
- EAB Trailhead Sign - laminate for Town Forests and trailsystems
- Don't Move Firewood Tree Tag - laminate to post at campgrounds and visitor centers
- Did you do something different? Please share your ideas with us at Ginger.Nickerson@uvm.edu