MADISON – Gov. Jim Doyle today announced that Wisconsin and 15 other states will observe Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week, May 23-29, 2010. Through a proclamation, Gov. Doyle urged state residents and visitors to become better educated about emerald ash borer and to take action to help slow the spread of this invasive pest. “Wisconsin’s ash resource is under attack by this invasive beetle. Ash trees in our yards, parks, and forests improve the quality of life in our state and are worth protecting,” said Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Rod Nilsestuen. “Protecting this resource against the emerald ash borer is something we can all do by educating ourselves and taking action to help slow the spread of the tree-killing beetle across the state.” Since 2008, infestations of the emerald ash borer (EAB) have been confirmed in three Wisconsin areas: in the Village of Newburg, in Victory (Vernon County), and in southern Milwaukee County in the cities of Franklin and Oak Creek. Adult beetles have also been found in Green Bay and near Kenosha. To help recognize EAB Awareness Week, the state’s multi-agency EAB Program will begin airing commercials on television and radio, urging residents and visitors alike to be careful about moving potentially infested firewood. A number of communities, organizations, and campgrounds will also place lawn signs along busy streets to remind people about the risks involved with moving firewood, a practice that has spread the beetle further and faster than the insect could move on its own. Residents and visitors to Wisconsin can help slow the spread of EAB and learn more about the pest in several ways: Follow all quarantine guidelines. For most people, that means not moving firewood out of the quarantine zones. Zone 1: Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan counties. Zone 2: Brown County. Zone 3: Vernon and Crawford counties. Learn about the signs and symptoms of EAB infestation. This information can be found at the EAB Web site at www.emeraldashborer.wi.gov.
