Transporting Non-Native Insects and Pathogens
The most severe threats to urban trees and forests originate from non-native pests and pathogens brought over by global trade and travel.
Companies may forgo careful inspections which can keep non-native insects and diseases from reaching a new home. For example, nine of the eleven high-priority pests and diseases tracked by the U.S. Forest Service were transported from Asia.
Still others may be accidentally moved on the wood pallets and crates that carry cargo, some in a passenger cabin or in the luggage of people arriving from overseas. Often, people will carry foods, fruits and vegetables that remind them of their former home or that evoke memories of a special trip.
Proactive Detection
The Beagle Brigade works tirelessly to sniff out people bringing plant material and food into the country. They inspect luggage at U.S. airports, ports and border crossings. Why Beagles? They have keen sense of smell. And compared to their colleagues from USDA and Customs and Border Protection, they’re small and friendly.
Local Impact
Many non-native insects, pests, and diseases that greatly impact urban and community forests in the U.S. arrive on imported ornamental trees and plants. Others are transported on firewood cut from dead, dying or otherwise infected trees.
The Nature Conservancy manages a nationwide public awareness campaign curb the spread of non-native insects in firewood transported from far-away places.
Visit the site Don’t Move Firewood for extensive resources and materials to incorporate into your local efforts.