Media Advisory

Contact:
Kay Hagen, (765) 494-6682,
kjh@purdue.edu

WHAT: Media day for first-ever Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week

Gov. Mitch Daniels has proclaimed that May 22-28 as Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week in Indiana. The week is an opportunity for citizens to learn about invasive species in general and the emerald ash borer specifically.

Memorial Day weekend (May 28-30) is a popular camping weekend, and emerald ash borer can easily be transported in ash firewood. The emerald ash borer has already killed more than 12 million ash trees in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Agencies from all three states are cooperating to stop the spread of this insect. There are approximately 147 million ash trees in Indiana.

Media are invited to speak with Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Kyle Hupfer and experts from Purdue University and the DNR about this invasive pest.

Eddie, a bloodhound, also will conduct a search for emerald ash borer in ash trees near the Nature Center at Pokagon State Park.

WHEN: Monday, May 23

1:30 p.m. (EST) – Introduction of participants

1:35 p.m. (EST) – Comments from DNR director, state entomologist, assistant state forester and eradication program manager

1:45 p.m. (EST) – EAB search and survey demonstration

2 p.m. (EST) – Q & A session

WHERE: Nature Center, Pokagon State Park, Angola, Ind.

Park admission is waived. Media should indicate that they are entering the park for the emerald ash borer event.

For more information about emerald ash borer, contact Jodie Ellis at (765) 494-0822. Media should contact Kay Hagen, news writer, at (765) 494-6682 for more information.

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

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