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Emerald ash borer now in Starke and Tipton counties
 
Emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive species killing native ash trees, has been detected for the first time in Tipton and Starke counties.

In Tipton County, EAB was found in Liberty, Madison and Wildcat townships.  In Starke County, EAB was found in North Bend Township, specifically at the Bass Lake Beach and Campground.
Additionally, EAB has been detected in new locations in counties where the insect was already known to exist. In Blackford County, it was detected in Jackson and Licking townships. In Delaware County, EAB was in Union Township. In Fulton County, it was detected in Newcastle Township.

In Hamilton County, EAB was found in Adams Township. In Henry County, it was detected in Jefferson Township, and in Madison County, it was in Lafayette, Pipecreek and Richland townships.
EAB, first detected in Indiana in 2004, has now been found in more than 50 counties here. The primary mode of transport for the pest is through movement of firewood in campgrounds.

Tipton and Starke were already included in the 79-county area under the Indiana EAB quarantine. The 13 counties not included in Indiana’s EAB quarantine are all in the southwestern part of the state.

The Indiana EAB quarantine regulates the movement of certain materials such as whole ash trees, ash limbs, untreated ash lumber with the bark attached and cut firewood of any hardwood species with the bark attached. Moving regulated materials out of the quarantined area requires a compliance agreement from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Movement of regulated materials within the quarantined area is not restricted; however, DNR recommends against moving regulated material from April 15 through July, when EAB is emerging and flying to find trees to infest. Moving regulated materials at this time of year helps spread EAB.

Visitors may bring firewood onto DNR properties if it’s certified by the USDA or DNR Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology, or is free of bark.

An application for a compliance agreement may be filed by contacting the DNR Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology, at 317-232-4120. To view quarantined areas and EAB sightings in Indiana, see www.dnr.IN.gov/entomolo/ 5349.htm

For more information on EAB, or to report an infestation, visit www.eab indiana.info or call Indiana DNR’s toll-free hotline at 866-NO EXOTIC (663-9684). To view the EAB Rule and EAB quarantine declaration visit www.dnr.IN.gov/entomolo/3443.htm
Indiana Master Naturalist Class

Members of the public can take classes to become a certified Indiana Master Naturalist (IMN) starting in March at Salamonie Lake. The mission of the IMN program is to promote volunteer service at Indiana’s state parks and reservoirs by teaching adult learners about Indiana’s plants, water, soils and wildlife.
Participants will be able to use their newly learned skills as volunteer interpretive naturalists. The IMN program at the Salamonie Interpretive Center runs March 14-May 16, mostly on Thursdays from 6-9 p.m., with some Saturdays scheduled.
The program is sponsored by Upper Wabash Interpretive Services (UWIS), which serves J. Edward Roush Fish & Wildlife Area, Salamonie and Mississinewa lakes and Ouabache State Park.
Marvin McNew, UWIS director, said he hopes graduates will volunteer with UWIS interpretive naturalists to educate students and other public audiences about the area’s natural and cultural resources.

Class size will be limited to 30 students. The class costs $75. Registration deadline is March 1. For more information or to get a registration form, call 260-468-2127 or visit online  www.dnr.IN.gov/uwis

The standard entrance fee of $5 per in-state vehicle and $7 per out-of-state vehicle will be waived for students. Salamonie Lake is located at 9214 West-Lost Bridge West, Andrews, 46702.
Indiana trapper education course set for Feb. 16

Indiana conservation officers are conducting a trapper education course to take place Feb. 16 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Sugar Ridge State Fish and Wildlife Area, located at 2310 E State Road 354 in Winslow.

The class will be geared toward youth, but all ages are welcome. It will have a classroom portion of instruction and a hands-on demonstration portion. Please dress for the weather and plan on being outside for the class.

Lunch will be provided. The course is sponsored by the Southern Indiana Fur Takers Chapter 7B, and The Dubois County Sportsman Club. Pre-registration is required and may be done online at www.passitonindiana.com

For more information, call conservation officers District 7 Headquarters at 812-789-9538.

Falcon program at state park

Indiana Dunes State Park will host a special live falcon program on Feb. 9 at the nature center. The American kestrel species is of concern because of its declining population.

The program starts at 1 p.m. CST, and will feature North America’s smallest falcon, the American kestrel. Additionally, a partnership program will be given in which citizens can help build and monitor kestrel nest boxes. A live kestrel will be featured during the program.

The program is free after the entrance fee of $5 per in-state vehicle or $10 per out-of-state vehicle. For more information, call 219-926-1390. Indiana Dunes State Park is located at 1600 North 25 E., Chesterton, IN 46304.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Jack Spaulding may contact him by email at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.
2/6/2013