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Emerald Ash Borer Information

The Purdue University Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Outreach and Education Team has developed a new program for Purdue Master Gardeners called Neighbors Against Bad Bugs (N.A.B.B.). The program delivers information about management options for EAB in neighborhoods on the brink of severe damage from the pest, makes the ash tree resource visible to the general public, and creates a readily mobilized chain of volunteers who can respond quickly to EAB and any future pests that threaten neighborhood trees. The N.A.B.B. program encourages communities and individuals to make good choices about their ash trees before EAB arrives, which not only saves money but allows conservation of the tree canopy in their yards and neighborhoods.

Master Gardeners working with County Extension Educators will be trained to organize and assist volunteers from their communities’ Neighborhood Associations in identifying and tagging ash trees on city right-of-ways with distinctive purple tags. The tags contain contact information and the web address of the Purdue EAB web site (extension.entm.purdue.edu/EAB/), which explains management options in urban settings, and offers advice on working with local tree care professionals to negotiate reduced rates for treatment or removal of ash trees on peoples’ property. The program involves a face-to-face 2 hour training session for Master Gardener Volunteers, who will then assist volunteers from neighborhood associations in ash tree tagging events.

The Purdue team is launching N.A.B.B. in the Lafayette/West Lafayette area. They are also working with the City of Indianapolis and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIBI) to tag the city’s ash trees while distributing information about managing EAB to local Neighborhood Associations. There is great interest in Indianapolis in this project as the northeast areas are beginning to see extensive damage from EAB infestations.

After its initial launch in the Greater Lafayette area, the N.A.B.B. program will be available to County Extension Educators and Master Gardeners throughout Indiana. Master Gardeners who are interested in learning more about EAB are encouraged to complete the Purdue Master Gardener EAB self-study course, which is located online at extension.entm.purdue.edu/EAB/index.php?page=industries/selfstudy. There are two quizzes to take online and upon completion, the participant will be able to print out a certificate that can be turned in for 2 hours of advanced training credit.

For more information on N.A.B.B. or the EAB self-study course, please contact Melissa Shepson (mshepson@purdue.edu, 765-494-0997).