Forest Pest and Disease Information Session!

Monday, March 9th, 2020
6pm – 8pm
Pleasant Plains Township Hall
7333 S M-37
Baldwin, MI 49304

This 2-hour presentation, given by the Manistee and Mason-Lake Conservation Districts, Forestry Assistance Program (FAP), and Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), is designed for landowners AND professionals such as foresters, ecologists, and loggers, interested in pests and diseases that are relevant to the forests of Northwestern Lower Peninsula Michigan. Both native and non-native invasive pests and diseases will be discussed by Josh Shields, FAP Forester with the Manistee and Mason-Lake Conservation Districts, and Cheryl Nelson, Michigan DNR Forester with the Forest Health Response Team. Josh Shields and Cheryl Nelson will also discuss the importance of combatting non-native invasive organisms. They will also explain the importance of understanding how non-native invasive organisms are different than ecologically important native organisms that are often labelled as aggressive pests or diseases. This is a great presentation to attend to stay informed about the organisms impacting your forests! The following types of organisms will be discussed:

• Non-native invasive insects such as Asian longhorned beetle, beech scale, emerald ash borer, gypsy moth, hemlock woolly adelgid, and spotted lanternfly
• Non-native invasive fungi such as oak wilt
• Non-native invasive plants such as autumn olive and garlic mustard
• Native pests and diseases such as eastern tent caterpillar, forest tent caterpillar, Heterobasidion root disease, lecanium scale, oak decline, red pine pocket decline, spruce decline, and white-tailed deer

For this event, we have applied for Society of American Foresters continuing education credit and Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) Phase 1 education credit.
There is no cost for attending this event. Snacks will be provided free of charge.
A suggested minimum donation of $10/person is requested at the door to help offset costs of the event.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS TUESDAY, MARCH 3rd, 2020. For more information or to register, contact Josh Shields at 231-889-9666 or joshua.shields@macd.org.