May 22-28, 2011 - EAB Awareness Week in Minnesota

From the USDA to UMN Extension Master Gardeners:
 

Thank you for your hard work in spreading the message of invasive species. Your knowledge and experience in communicating about invasive species is why we now ask you to help us celebrate Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week in Minnesota.

EAB Awareness Week will be celebrated from May 22 through May 28 in Minnesota as a part of a nationwide effort. The purpose of EAB Awareness Week is to get the message out about emerald ash borer, and in particular, how EAB moves by humans transporting wood.

The last week in May was chosen to provide information about EAB and firewood before the start of the unofficial camping season--Memorial Day Weekend. Our theme for the week is: Keep our trees safe. Use MDA certified or local firewood.

Although you may already be educating your community about emerald ash borer, here are a few suggestions to reach audiences you may have missed:

• Talk to your church or local hotel/motel and ask them to post a message on the outdoor sign
  

• Facebook post and tweet about emerald ash borer awareness week

• Ask these groups if you can set-up a talk with for for them: Chamber of commerce, Boy or Girl Scouts, Kiwanis, Junior League, Fraternities or sororities, Audubon Societies, Local schools, Tree boards
  

• Alert your local television/newspaper/radio station

• Contact a local business or college to spell out something like "no EAB" via window lights or window shades.

We hope you can help us celebrate EAB Awareness Week. Also, if you do decide to participate in an event, please let us know, and we will send an email update and post on our website the activities occurring throughout the state.

A power point and outreach materials are available to those who request them through the Arrest the Pest Hotline. The Minnesota EAB crew