Spotlight: NRC forestry students assist local land trust and the city of Worcester in campaign against Asian Longhorned Beetle.
Posted November 10th, 2008 by Roxann Cormier
NRC members of the student chapter of the Society of American Foresters traveled to Worcester to assist the Greater Worcester Land Trust survey conservation properties for the presence of the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB). This significant insect pest infests species of maple, ash, and other hardwoods, and can cause serious mortality.
It is known to have arrived from China in packing materials. Early detection and control 
can prevent the ALB from spreading out of Worcester into the heavily forested landscape of western Massachusetts and causing real damage to forests. Student knowledge of trees, skills in interpreting aerial photos, and ability to work independently in the woods contributed meaningfully to the detection effort.
More information:
Greater Worcester land trust: http://www.gwlt.org/
Asian longhorned beetle: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/alb/
Society of American Foresters: http://www.safnet.org/
