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Maine is now the host of a number of problematic invasive insect species, including the emerald ash borer, which can decimate an ash tree in a matter of a couple years, and browntail moth, which has hairs poisonous to people, to the winter moth and hemlock woolly adelgid which are spreading rapidly up the coast of Maine defoliating trees along their way. Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District, in association with the Maine Association of Conservation Districts, with a grant from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is hosting two free workshops to discuss these insects and others.

These programs will help participants identify current and potential invasive forest pests — including browntail moth, emerald ash borer, Asian long-horned beetle, hemlock woolly adelgid and winter moth — and their host tree species. There will be a focus on understanding the threat that these pests post and to learn how to respond to and report suspected sightings and damage. Participants will receive an information packet with fact sheets, species lists and life cycles, and other relevant information regarding the goals of this program.

These interactive programs are perfect for the professional who is in the field working with these species, for the landowner who is worried about keeping their trees healthy, and for the concerned citizen who would like to become one of the army of people we need to keep track of these insects as they make their way through Maine.

The first of the program series will be held on Sept. 12 at the Topsham Public Library from 5-7 p.m. The second will be on Sept. 13 at the NRCS Lewiston Field office from 1-3 p.m. These programs are free to the public but require registration due to space limitations. Call (207) 241-5374 to register or visit androscogginswcd.org for more information.

Bath program

The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust will host a program about Maine’s invasive plants and insects at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Patten Free Library’s Community Room. The program will feature Nancy Olmstead, an invasive plant biologist with the Maine Natural Areas Program

Attendees will learn about how they can contribute to an effort to map the location of invasive plants and insects across the state.

Preregister by visiting www.kennebecestuary.org or calling (207) 442-8400.

The program is part of the land trust’s and Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District’s series on invasive plants. The final program will be held Sept. 16 to demonstrate treating invasive plants using manual or chemical means. That program will highlight the methods that are best suited to the most common invasive plants.

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