Ash tree mapping volunteers needed

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is once again looking for Citizen Scientist volunteers to help researchers collect scientific data on ash trees by mapping the locations of these trees within the Park.

The last three volunteer mapping days for the year will occur within the next 30 days. The project, which will take several years to complete, will be used to monitor future threats from a non-native insect.

Volunteers are being invited to join park biologists and educators during field days on September 11, September 25 and October 2 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on each of those days). Volunteers will learn how to identify ash and other common trees found within the Smoky Mountains, read a topographic map, and use a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit.

Ash trees are at risk from the invasive, non-native Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a beetle that can travel undetected in firewood and nursery stock from quarantined areas of the country into new locations in the Park. In 2009 the park installed EAB traps as part of a detection plan.

The traps are the bright purple triangular objects hanging in trees near campgrounds and picnic areas. U.S. Department of Agriculture research indicates the beetles are attracted to the color purple and a lure that smells like a stressed ash tree. The trap exterior is coated with a sticky material which captures insects for periodic removal by park staff.

So far no EABs have been found.

For more information on the EAB, please click here.

To volunteer, contact Ranger Susan Simpson at 865-436-1200, ext. 762, to RSVP and for the meeting location.





Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.

Ash tree mapping volunteers needed this Saturday

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is once again looking for Citizen Scientist volunteers to help researchers collect scientific data on ash trees by mapping the locations of the trees within the Park.

The mapping project, which will take several years to complete, will be used to monitor future threats from a non-native insect. There are four dates left to volunteer this year, with the next being held this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers will learn how to identify ash and other common trees found in the Smoky Mountains, read a topographic map, and use a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit.

Volunteers should be prepared to hike up to 5 miles on park trails and in rough terrain off the main paths. It's recommended that participants wear long pants and comfortable closed-toe shoes or boots for hiking and bring snacks, water, sunscreen, and rain gear. Reservations are necessary and participation is limited to 16 people (children 12 and under must bring an adult).

The ash trees are at risk from the invasive, non-native Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a beetle that can travel undetected in firewood and nursery stock from quarantined areas of the country into new locations in the Park. In 2009 the park installed EAB traps as part of a detection plan.

The traps are the bright purple triangular objects hanging in trees near campgrounds and picnic areas. U.S. Department of Agriculture research indicates the beetles are attracted to the color purple and a lure that smells like a stressed ash tree. The trap exterior is coated with a sticky material which captures insects for periodic removal by park staff.

So far no EABs have been found.

For more information on the EAB, please click here.

To volunteer this weekend, contact Ranger Susan Simpson at 865-436-1200, ext. 762, to RSVP and for the meeting location.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Citizen Science Ash Tree Mapping

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is again looking for Citizen Scientist volunteers to help researchers collect scientific data on ash trees by mapping the locations of these trees within the Park.

The mapping project, which will take several years to complete, will be used to monitor future threats from a nonnative insect.

People are again being invited to join park biologists and educators during a field day on Saturday, July 31, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will learn how to identify ash and other common trees found in the Smoky Mountains, read a topographic map, and use a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit.

The ash trees are at risk from the invasive, non-native Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a beetle that can travel undetected in firewood and nursery stock from quarantined areas of the country into new locations in the Park. In 2009 the park installed EAB traps near campgrounds and picnic areas as part of a detection plan. So far no EABs have been found.

Volunteers should be prepared to hike up to 5 miles on park trails and in rough terrain off the main paths. It is recommended that participants wear long pants and comfortable closed-toe shoes or boots for hiking and bring snacks, water, sunscreen, and rain gear. Reservations are necessary and participation is limited to 16 people (children 12 and under must bring an adult). Contact Ranger Susan Simpson at 865-436-1200, ext. 762, to RSVP and for meeting location.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.

What is that purple box hanging in that tree?

Have you seen this purple box? Do you know what it is? If you guessed a trap used for detecting the Emerald Ash Borer, you are right! The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that has found it's way into Virginia.
EAB is already responsible for the death of millions of ash trees. First found in Michigan in 2002 this metallic green insect has wreaked havoc across thirteen states and parts of Canada. EAB was found in Fairfax, VA several years ago. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have been monitoring for the pest and fortunately have yet to find any significant moves. However, the EAB is a clever little bug and has figured out that it is easier to travel with unsuspecting humans than to fly from tree to tree. That is why it is VERY IMPORTANT that you do not transport firewood 1) from any of the quarantined counties (check VDOF website for list or google EAB in VA) and 2) for long distances. I know paying for firewood in a park or forest is ridiculous when you can bring it yourself, but trust me, spreading EAB will cost much more.

So why do I care that this bug kills ash trees? What are they good for anyways? Well ash is most famously used for America's favorite past time, that's right, baseball. Ash is the best wood out there for baseball bats, dense and elastic. You might also find out that your electric guitar is made from ash (that could explain why they are so hard to break on stage). Ash also plays an important role in the forest as a common riparian species. Riparian species are found near waterways and can act as huge filters for sediment and chemicals trying to reach the water. Ash make great yard trees as they are both beautiful and provide excellent shade.

Back to the traps now. I had an opportunity to participate in the monitoring for this insect through the Society of American Foresters. I have placed two traps at Holliday Lake State Park and two at Bear Creek Lake State Park. I will be checking these traps in late June and then again in August before taking them down. I certainly hope that I don't find anything.

What is that purple box hanging in that tree?

Have you seen this purple box? Do you know what it is? If you guessed a trap used for detecting the Emerald Ash Borer, you are right! The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that has found it's way into Virginia.
EAB is already responsible for the death of millions of ash trees. First found in Michigan in 2002 this metallic green insect has wreaked havoc across thirteen states and parts of Canada. EAB was found in Fairfax, VA several years ago. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have been monitoring for the pest and fortunately have yet to find any significant moves. However, the EAB is a clever little bug and has figured out that it is easier to travel with unsuspecting humans than to fly from tree to tree. That is why it is VERY IMPORTANT that you do not transport firewood 1) from any of the quarantined counties (check VDOF website for list or google EAB in VA) and 2) for long distances. I know paying for firewood in a park or forest is ridiculous when you can bring it yourself, but trust me, spreading EAB will cost much more.

So why do I care that this bug kills ash trees? What are they good for anyways? Well ash is most famously used for America's favorite past time, that's right, baseball. Ash is the best wood out there for baseball bats, dense and elastic. You might also find out that your electric guitar is made from ash (that could explain why they are so hard to break on stage). Ash also plays an important role in the forest as a common riparian species. Riparian species are found near waterways and can act as huge filters for sediment and chemicals trying to reach the water. Ash make great yard trees as they are both beautiful and provide excellent shade.

Back to the traps now. I had an opportunity to participate in the monitoring for this insect through the Society of American Foresters. I have placed two traps at Holliday Lake State Park and two at Bear Creek Lake State Park. I will be checking these traps in late June and then again in August before taking them down. I certainly hope that I don't find anything.

Volunteers needed for Smokies ash tree research

Last year over 50 Citizen Scientist volunteers helped researchers collect scientific data on ash trees by mapping the locations of hundreds of these trees in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The mapping project, which will take several years to complete, will be used to monitor future threats from a nonnative insect. People are again being invited to join park biologists and educators during a field day on Saturday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Greenbrier area of the park. Volunteers will learn how to identify ash and other common trees found in the Smoky Mountains, read a topographic map, and use a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit.

The ash trees are at risk from the invasive, non-native Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a beetle that can travel undetected in firewood and nursery stock from quarantined areas of the country into new locations in the Park. In 2009 the park installed EAB traps near campgrounds and picnic areas as part of a detection plan. So far no EABs have been found.

This is the first of seven ash tree mapping days through the summer and fall that will be held in the Tennessee and North Carolina sides of the park. Other dates planned are June 9, July 31, August 28, September 11 and 25, and October 2. These are listed in the Events Calendar on the park’s website: www.nps.gov/grsm.

Volunteers should be prepared to hike up to 5 miles on park trails and in rough terrain off the main paths. It is recommended that participants wear long pants and comfortable closed-toe shoes or boots for hiking and bring snacks, water, sunscreen, and rain gear. Reservations are necessary and participation is limited to 16 people (children 12 and under must bring an adult). Contact Ranger Susan Simpson at 865-436-1200, ext. 762, to RSVP and for meeting location.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.