Quinte Conservation will be warning local municipalities about the dangers of the Emerald Ash Borer. The decision was made at last week’s board meeting. Communications Manager Jennifer May-Anderson says, “The Quinte Conservation watersheds are now in the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Emerald Ash Borer regulated area. We could see an infestation within the next five to ten years. Developing an Emerald Ash Borer management plan is essential to maintaining tree cover within built up areas and minimizing associated costs of the infestation.”
May-Anderson adds, “Our board wants to inform our municipalities about the risks of an Emerald Ash Borer infestation so they can create a plan to address this serious issue that makes the most sense for each of them.”
There are many ash trees along municipal streets, in municipal parks and green spaces within cities, towns and villages in the Quinte Conservation watersheds. Once the beetle appears in a community, it spreads rapidly. Trees attacked by the Emerald Ash Borer typically die within one to three years. Costs associated with an Emerald Ash Borer infestation include the treatment, removal, and replacement of trees.
Benefits of urban trees include the provision of oxygen, reduction of pollution, conservation of water, prevention of soil erosion, provision of food and shelter for wildlife and moderation of climate. Trees also increase property values and contribute to the quality of life in a neighbourhood. Ash has a high tolerance of salt, poor soils and air pollution, which makes it a valuable component of the urban forest.
In 2002 the Emerald Ash Borer was first detected in Ontario near Windsor. As of March 2014 there have been no confirmed cases of Emerald Ash Borer in Hastings, Prince Edward, and Lennox and Addington Counties. It has been confirmed in Northumberland and Frontenac Counties.
Quinte Conservation is a community-based environmental protection agency. It serves 18 municipalities in the watersheds of the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers and Prince Edward County. It provides cost-effective environmental expertise and leadership. Quinte Conservation’s main goal is to create a sustainable ecosystem where people and nature live in harmony. More information about Quinte Conservation is available at www.quinteconservation.ca.
For more information contact:
Jennifer May-AndersonCommunications Manager
(613) 968-3434 ext. 125 or (613) 354-3312 ext. 125
