The next installment of Rice Creek Associates (RCA) Reflections will feature researcher Robert L. Smith discussing local steps to combat the invasive emerald ash borer beetle at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, at SUNY Oswego's Rice Creek Field Station.
Targeting all native species of ash trees, the emerald ash borer has spread to 36 states including New York and is responsible for the death and decline of tens of millions of ash trees, researchers said.
Starting in 2022, the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (SLELO PRISM), Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District and Rice Creek Field Station Staff have participated in the United States Department of Agriculture Aphis Emerald Ash Borer Biocontrol Program at Rice Creek, releasing natural enemies of the species with the hope they will establish resident populations and provide a long-term solution to the invasive beetle's damage.
This presentation will provide a general overview of the emerald ash borer, management strategies and the biocontrol release and establishment surveys at Rice Creek Field Station.
Smith is the terrestrial restoration and resiliency coordinator for SLELO-PRISM. A U.S. Army veteran, he holds a master of science from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and has extensive experience in terrestrial invasive species identification and management, including ecosystem restoration and dendrology. At SLELO-PRISM, Smith leads efforts to protect terrestrial priority conservation areas from the impacts of invasive species through early detection and rapid response efforts, in addition to reducing the spread potential of invasive species to and from the region.
The event will also stream live via Zoom link available on Rice Creek’s events page at oswego.edu/rice-creek.
Rice Creek Associates is a community of like-minded people who share a passion for nature and a desire to support Rice Creek Field Station. Formed in 1986, RCA supports Rice Creek Field Station's mission by expanding the scientific, educational, and recreational opportunities at the Field Station through community involvement.
For more information, including a link to join RCA for as little as $5 or $10, visit the RCA website.