Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 11/02/2009

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Step #5: Inform the Public In addition to cultivating media relations, there are other means whereby the MPRB can disseminate information about EAB. The most accessible are those that the MPRB has direct control over. These include the MPRB neighborhood recreation and community centers, MPRB District Newsletters, tree care clinics and cable TV. In February 2008 an EAB informational page was posted on the MPRB website with links to state and national web pages. Still other avenues are available to the MPRB for spreading news about EAB. Neighborhood newsletters lend themselves to this cause because the editors are regularly seeking timely and relevant news. Another is neighborhood meetings and festivals where Forestry staff can reach a large number of people. Step #6: Train the Staff The key to responding to an EAB infestation is to identify the presence of the insect as early as possible. This will allow the MDA to determine the extent of the infestation and the best containment strategy to use. The MPRB Forestry Division is fortunate to have 70 Arborists, Crewleaders and District Foresters working in the field to assist with this task. Unlike DED, identifying EAB is often difficult. In places where EAB has been found it is believed to have been undetected for years. The Forestry Division has responded by increasing the credentials required of its staff. The International Society of Arboriculture's (ISA) Certified Arborist and Certified Tree Worker programs that have been available for years has resulted in approximately 40% of Forestry staff having one of these titles. Now newly hired Arborists will need to obtain certification as a condition of employment. To ensure that certification is maintained educational opportunities such as the Minnesota Tree Care Conference, Shade Tree Short Course and in-house training will continue to be made available. Step #7: Educate Contractors For several decades the Forestry Division has utilized private contractors for the removal of diseased elm trees on private property. The relationships that have developed over time will enable these contractors to provide added help with the approaching invasion of EAB. Beginning in 2008, the Forestry Division is providing contractors with information on EAB so that they may assist with the identification and early detection. Knowing that continuing education is a key to EAB identification, the Forestry Division has updated its private tree removal specifications to require contractors to employ at least one ISA Certified Arborist in their company. This requirement took effect in 2007. Since then the City's Department of Regulatory Services has established a similar requirement for all companies seeking a tree servicing license. The resulting workforce will be better informed about recognizing the symptoms of EAB and how to deal with its arrival. 4