Fending Off Invasives' Attacks on Trees; Budgets

Registration Underway For Important Conference For City Managers; Foresters; Others

LISLE, IL (September 11, 2009) - As climate change and other factors increase the likelihood of invasive pests and diseases attacking trees, local communities are bracing for unexpected costs that will strain municipal budgets and resources. As the sluggish economy chokes off tax revenues, municipal and state managers find themselves fighting like never before to get resources necessary to do their jobs.

But now, help is available.

Officials at the state and local level who deal with invasives such as Gypsy Moth or Emerald ash borer (EAB) should attend "Coping with the Costs: The Economic, Social and Environmental Impacts of Invasive Insects on our Communities," at The Morton Arboretum in the Chicago area, September 29-30.

Public, private, corporate, and institutional land managers will receive important information to assist them with economic impacts.

"Throwing a spotlight on pending invasive infestations can help free up funding for municipal land managers," says Edith Makra, arborist and Community Trees Advocate who also serves at the Arboretum's representative on the governor's Management and Science Advisory Panel for EAB.

The conference will also provide tools and networking opportunities to help attendees discover strategies for minimizing further tree loss and promoting tree restoration.

Such tools include:
- An economic calculator for Emerald ash borer. This online program allows an official to input information about their ash trees and discover what accepted management strategy would be most cost effective.
- EABU: This educational program will reach professionals and provide them with the best technologies available so they can manage emerald ash borer most effectively.
- Strategies that others have used successfully to shape public opinion and inform constituents about management decisions

The U.S. Forest Service, The Morton Arboretum, The Nature Conservancy, and Purdue University are co-presenting this conference. The forum is open to the public, and will be of special interest to mayors, public works directors, city planners, state partners, green industry representatives, green organization members and educators. Registration and conference fees are required.

For more information, or to register, call The Morton Arboretum at 630-719-2468.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,117 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission - the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time or sunset, whichever is earlier. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through February. Visit Press Room at www.mortonarb.org, and then Press Room, or call to learn more.

Media Contact: Gina Tedesco, 630-725-2103, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Allison Phelps, 630-719-5768, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it