Last summer the Town of Oakville, in partnership with its consultant, BioForest Technologies Inc., launched the Forest Health Ambassador program to engage residents interested in helping to monitor neighbourhood street trees for invasive insects, disease and other issues related to forest health.
Oakville resident, Elaine Hale is one of 30 residents who answered the call to become a volunteer with the program.
In the initial phase of the program, from early August to mid-September, volunteers measured and surveyed a total of 550 town street trees and identified evidence of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and Gypsy Moth, which the town will use to update their street tree inventory.
Volunteers and general awareness among residents are crucial to the health of our urban forest. Residents are the town’s “eyes on the ground” as they walk and play in their neighbourhoods. It was a resident who first detected the presence of EAB in Oakville in 2002.
Oakville residents interested in volunteering are invited to attend the 2015 Forest Health Ambassador Information and Training session on Wednesday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall. Register at [email protected].