Illinois First Detector 2014 Trainings - Save the Date

　

Early detection and response is key to managing invasive pests. Illinois First Detector Workshops are aimed at improving first detector training and invasive species awareness. Plan to attend these workshops focusing on current and emerging pests of landscape and nursery pests! Each location will have sessions devoted to emerging oak insect pests and pathogens and invasive plants. In depth training sessions will highlight identification, symptoms, management, and much more!

2014 Workshop Schedule:

•  January 14 Peoria
• January 16 Collinsville
• February 20 Murphysboro
• February 27 Rockford
• March 12 Decatur
• March 27 Joliet

　
Registration information will soon be available. Questions about program specifics should be directed to: invasives@inhs.illinois.edu
　

This project was supported by Extension IPM Coordination and Support Competitive Grant no. 2013-04102 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Reblog - rebuttal to opinion piece in New York Times

Here is a great rebuttal by Stephen Hiltner of an opinion piece by Verlyn Klinkenborg in the New York Times titled "Hey, You Calling Me an Invasive Species?, 9/713)

News Companion: Going Negative On Natives--New York Times Does It ...: The New York Times is one of the bedrocks of news, which makes it hard to understand why its opinion page would show a weakness for ill-info...

Cultivating Awareness: Ornamental Plants Invading Natural Areas

Invasive plants are species that are non-native and cause or are likely to cause harm to the economy, the environment, or human health. Some popular ornamental plants are becoming invasive in natural areas. This video from the Midwest Invasive Plant Network demonstrates the impacts of these species on natural areas in the Midwest and provides information on how to make good choices for landscaping.