Penn State Extension Offers Invasive Weeds and Pests Workshop

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Ailanthus altissima

Invasive weeds and pests are a major threat to our natural and cultivated landscapes, spreading quickly and displacing or killing native plants. Invasive species (plants, insects, and animals) are costing the United States more than $138 billion each year, due to their economic impact on agriculture, forestry, fisheries, waterways, wildlife, and ornamental landscapes. Ecologists now rank invasion by exotic plants, animals and pathogens second only to habitat loss as a major threat to local biodiversity.

On Thursday, October 6th, 2011 a workshop titled “Managing Invasive Weeds and Pests in the Landscape” will be held at the Best Western Genetti Hotel and Conference Center in Wilkes-Barre from 8:30am – 3:45pm. Experts from Penn State University and the Department of Agriculture will discuss landscape weed identification and management; exotic invasive plant identification and control, safe use of herbicides and pesticides, and control strategies for emerald ash borer, an invasive insect that is in Pennsylvania. Participants will learn how to control invasive plants  and insects.

PDA Pesticide Applicator Credits will be assigned in Core, Category 5, 6, 7, 10 and 23.

Fore more information and registration details click here.