Conservation

Upper Valley - The Place You Call Home

http://northernwoodlands.org/pdf/PYCH_UPVALLEY_SPREADS.pdf

The purpose of this guide is to help us all as natives or newcomers become better stewards of the land in the beautiful Upper Valley. Even the most committed and effective tenders of the land are not born with a sense of stewardship, which comes with spending time on a piece of ground. By getting to know it in all seasons and in all weather, we develop an appreciation that the land is the only constant: it preceded our ownership and will be here when our tenure is done. - Stephen Long

More Contents - scroll down for details

Alerts: conservation page lead in:

Emerald Ash Borer
Asian Long Horned Beetle
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

Invasive Plants

Other Insects reported in our area

Viburnum leaf beetle
Lily Leaf Beetle

Composting

Rain Gardens

Native Plants

Sustainable Woodstock

Dartmouth Organic Farm

Books

Alerts
We need your help
You can play a vital role in preserving the health of our forests.
These alerts are for the Asian Longhorned Beetle, Emerald Ash Borer and the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

Destructive non-native forest insects such as the Emerald Ash Borer and the Asian Longhorned Beetle have found their way into the United States and are now "hitchhiking" from state to state in firewood and nursery stock. In addition, the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid has arrived in Vermont.

These insects are capable of completely changing our forests by devastating various native species - ash, maple, birch, hemlock :

the Emerald Ash Borer is in Quebec- 30 miles from Vermont
the Asian Longhorn Beetle was found in Worcester, MA
the Woolly Adelgid has recently been found in southern Vermont

Early detection is crucial to minimizing the damage and maximizing the opportunities available for management of these invasives.

Most discoveries of invasive insects are made by informed citizens - not the professionals.

Our forests and The VT Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation need your educated eyes- so that detection can be made early and there can be a rapid response. Please read on so you can learn what to look for.

Please do not bring firewood from out of state. Buy local firewood in the area you are visiting.

Please do not bring in nursery stock from out of state or from infected areas Hemlocks should have a label stating they are woolly adelgid free..

There are no penalties for reporting a find or for owning a tree that has become infested. Please call the numbers below if you suspect you see any of these pests.

Vermont Division of Forestry: http://www.vtfpr.org/Firewood/index.cfm

Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald ash borer:

Source: Vermont Division of Forestry

The Emerald Ash Borer is an exotic, wood-boring insect from Asia that attacks and kills all native ash species. It is metallic green and the adult beetles are present from mid-May to late-July.

The larvae feed in the cambium between the bark and the wood, producing S-shaped galleries that girdle and kill branches and trees. Ash is one of the most common trees in Vermont, so this insect will have a major impact if it becomes established in Vermont.

Please inspect your trees. If you think you might have EAB in your trees, have questions about the program or quarantines- please call

802-241-3544 Forest Biology Lab or
802-885-8822 Jim Esden, VT Dept of Forests, Parks & Recreation

The symptoms include: (photos below)

eab d hole: eab defoliation:

D-shaped adult emergence holes Branch & crown dieback

Epicormic branching around the trunk

eab s shape: eab larva:

S shaped feeding galleries
under the bark

Please click on the articles and web sites below and read further
Emerald ash borer

Also: Emerald Ash Borer

http://www.vtfpr.org/protection/eabupdate.cfm

____________________

Asian Longhorned Beetle

The Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) a pest of hardwood trees including maple, birch and horse chestnut, was recently discovered in Worcester, Massachusetts. It is an invasive species -native to China-that causes damage by tunneling within the trunks and branches of trees, disrupting the sap flow and weakening and eventually killing them. It is considered a serious threat to the nursery, lumber, maple syrup, and tourism industries in our state.

When purchasing trees from out of state- check that they have been certified free of Asian Longhorned beetle

Please visit the websites below and familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms and check your trees.

If you suspect you found one of these pests-

place it in a jar and put it in the freezer
ALB toll free hotline is 1-866-702-9938 or
call Jim Esden, 802-885-8822 (VT Dept. Forests, Parks & Rec) or
Forest Biology Lab 802-241-3606

http://www.vtfpr.org/protection/albupdate.cfm

http://www.uvm.edu/albeetle/identification/index.html

http://www.uvm.edu/albeetle/index.html

_______________

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

Information from the State of Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks & Recreation:

The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is infesting Vermont's beautiful hemlock trees. The HWA is a non-native insect that damages and kills forest and ornamental hemlock trees. In 2007 the HWA was found on mature, native trees in southern Vermont.. Since infestation can be most easily spotted this time of year, please inspect your hemlocks.

Remove bird feeders between March and July, when HWAs can move to new areas on birds. Removal will have minimal impact on the birds since spring food sources are becoming available, but may be effective in slowing the spread of HWA.

What to look for:
The most obvious sign of HWA is a white, woolly mass found on the underside of twigs at the base of the needles. The masses look like the tips of cotton swabs. More established infestations may have thinning branches and grayish-green needles. If you think you find an infestation of HWA, do not remove any material from the site. Instead, take good notes about the exact location and

call 802-241-3606 Forest Biology Lab or
call 802-885-8822 Jim Esden, VT Dept of Forests, Parks & Recreation

The VT Dept. of Forestry, Parks and Recreations has begun to take the offensive by releasing Laricobius - a predatory beetle that feeds almost exclusively on hemlock wooley adelgid. For more information, please call Jim Esden 802-885-8822 or email at jim.esden@state.vt.us

You can find more information online at the Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks & Recreation website, http://www.vtfpr.org/protection/hwaupdate.cfm

_______________

Invasive Plants in Vermont

Plant Natives instead of Invasives:

Wise on Weeds
Find out more about the Nature Conservancy's Wise on Weeds! (WOW!) program to promote awareness of invasive plant species in Vermont:

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/vermont/volunteer/art30313.html

Vermont Invasive Exotic Plant Committee
Another source of information is this link to Vermont Invasive Exotic Plant Committee:

http://www.vtinvasiveplants.org

The Vermont Master Gardener Program
has teamed up with The Nature Conservancy of Vermont to promote awareness of invasive exotic plant species in the Vermont landscape. Below you will find information on what constitutes an invasive exotic plant, how to deal with them, alternatives, and links to further information and activities:

http://www.uvm.edu/mastergardener/invasives/invasives.htm

The New England Wildflower Society has a wonderful publication filled with information and pictures :New England Wild Flower : Conservation Notes of the New England Wild Flower Society

http://www.newfs.org/publications-and-resources/NEWFS%20Conservation%20Notes%202006.pdf -

Photographs and descriptions of Invasive plants- go to page 10

Photographs and pictures of Alternatives- go to page 26

_______________________________________

Other Insects Reported in Our Area

Viburnum Leaf Beetle

Local reports that this guy is eating our viburnums. Visit the following web site for more information:

http://www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb/

http://www.uvm.edu/pss/ppp/articles/viburnum.html

Viburnum Leaf Beetle: VLB eggs:

Lily Leaf Beetle

The lily leaf beetle, an invasive species that dines on and destroys ornamental lily plants.

The brilliant red lily leaf beetle is back in Vermont! Visit the web sites below to see more pictures and ways of controlling them:

http://vacd.org/onrcd/Red_Lily_Leaf_Beetles.pdf

http://extension.unh.edu/Pubs/HGPubs/LilyLeaf.pdf

http://bugguide.net/node/view/20177/bgimage

________________________________

Composting

Composting:

http://www.compostingvermont.org/links.htm
http://www.uvm.edu/mastergardener/mastercomposter Go to LINKS & look at sites
http://vermontcompost.com/
Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste District http://www.guvswd.org/compost

__________________________________

Rain Gardens

A rain garden is a landscaping feature that is planted with native perennial plants and is used to manage storm water runoff from impenetrable surfaces such as roofs, sidewalks, and parking lots.

Please go to http://www.vacd.org/winooski/winooski_raingarden.shtml

and you can download a great manual and plant list

The New England Tropical Conservatory in Bennington is building a rain garden- see photos and get updates at :

http://netrop.org/education/stormwater-management-project/

Other helpful links:

http://www.sustainability.uconn.edu/pdf/raingardenbroch.pdf

http://vacd.org/winooski/RGManualPlantListFINALofficeprintingmalandra2.pdf

_________________________________________

Native Plants

Native plants are those plants that grew in New England before the arrival of European settlers. Many of the plants you have in your landscape are probably native and you don't even know it. Native plants, as a group, are part of what makes New England unique. In addition, native plant communities provide a vital habitat for New England's wildlife.

Top Ten Native Plants for the Northeast:

http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife/northeast.cfm?CFID=15568738&;

Native Plant Nurseries:

http://www.nativeplant.org/VTsources.html

State Plant Listings - Vermont:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rdsduse/vt.htm

The mission of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes. Click below link for the recommended (commercially available) native plant species suitable for planned landscapes in Vermont:

http://www.wildflower.org/collections/collection.php?collection=VT

_______________________________________

Sustainable Woodstock

Blog: http://www.sustainablewoodstock.com/

Sustainable Woodstock is a group of residents from Woodstock and surrounding towns. What unites them is their interest in helping our communities--and the Upper Valley in general--become more sustainable. They intend to make a real, measurable difference in the way we live our own lives and inspire our neighbors by encouraging people to become more energy-efficient, buy more local food, drive less, support local merchants and contribute to the local economy.

Contact: bbarbellb@yahoo.com

_____________________________

Dartmouth Organic Farm

The Dartmouth Organic Farm is a student-run educational and working garden that provides members of the Dartmouth community with opportunities for independent research, student projects, and hands on experience in sustainable food and energy systems. Click on this link for more information:
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~doc/organicfarm/

________________________________

Books

The Norman Williams Public Library carries 293 entries for the search for 'gardening' and 132 entries for the search 'conservation'.

http://www.normanwilliams.lib.vt.us/index2.html

Three selections from the list are:
1. Woodland Gardens, Shade Gets Chic, A Brooklyn Botanical Garden Publication
Book Woodland gardens:

2. The Naturalist's Garden, written by Ruth Shaw Ernest
book naturlists garden:

Check with local bookstore's for the following guide to gardening and conservation:
Native Plants of the Northeast, written by Donald J. Leopold
Book Native Plants:



Home Programs Area Events Projects Tips & Resources Conservation Recipes Become a Member Articles Member Login				Conservation Upper Valley - The Place You Call Home http://northernwoodlands.org/pdf/PYCH_UPVALLEY_SPREADS.pdf The purpose of this guide is to help us all as natives or newcomers become better stewards of the land in the beautiful Upper Valley. Even the most committed and effective tenders of the land are not born with a sense of stewardship, which comes with spending time on a piece of ground. By getting to know it in all seasons and in all weather, we develop an appreciation that the land is the only constant: it preceded our ownership and will be here when our tenure is done. - Stephen Long More Contents - scroll down for details *Alerts:* Emerald Ash Borer Asian Long Horned Beetle Hemlock Woolly Adelgid *Invasive Plants* Other Insects reported in our area Viburnum leaf beetle Lily Leaf Beetle *Composting* *Rain Gardens* *Native Plants* *Sustainable Woodstock* *Dartmouth Organic Farm* *Books* Alerts We need your help You can play a vital role in preserving the health of our forests. These alerts are for the Asian Longhorned Beetle, Emerald Ash Borer and the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Destructive non-native forest insects such as the Emerald Ash Borer and the Asian Longhorned Beetle have found their way into the United States and are now "hitchhiking" from state to state in firewood and nursery stock. In addition, the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid has arrived in Vermont. These insects are capable of completely changing our forests by devastating various native species - ash, maple, birch, hemlock : the Emerald Ash Borer is in Quebec- 30 miles from Vermont the Asian Longhorn Beetle was found in Worcester, MA the Woolly Adelgid has recently been found in southern Vermont Early detection is crucial to minimizing the damage and maximizing the opportunities available for management of these invasives. Most discoveries of invasive insects are made by informed citizens - not the professionals. Our forests and The VT Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation need your educated eyes- so that detection can be made early and there can be a rapid response. Please read on so you can learn what to look for. Please do not bring firewood from out of state. Buy local firewood in the area you are visiting. Please do not bring in nursery stock from out of state or from infected areas Hemlocks should have a label stating they are woolly adelgid free.. There are no penalties for reporting a find or for owning a tree that has become infested. Please call the numbers below if you suspect you see any of these pests. Vermont Division of Forestry: http://www.vtfpr.org/Firewood/index.cfm Emerald Ash Borer Source: Vermont Division of Forestry The Emerald Ash Borer is an exotic, wood-boring insect from Asia that attacks and kills all native ash species. It is metallic green and the adult beetles are present from mid-May to late-July. The larvae feed in the cambium between the bark and the wood, producing S-shaped galleries that girdle and kill branches and trees. Ash is one of the most common trees in Vermont, so this insect will have a major impact if it becomes established in Vermont. Please inspect your trees. If you think you might have EAB in your trees, have questions about the program or quarantines- please call 802-241-3544 Forest Biology Lab or 802-885-8822 Jim Esden, VT Dept of Forests, Parks & Recreation The symptoms include: (photos below) D-shaped adult emergence holes Branch & crown dieback Epicormic branching around the trunk S shaped feeding galleries under the bark Please click on the articles and web sites below and read further Emerald ash borer Also: Emerald Ash Borer http://www.vtfpr.org/protection/eabupdate.cfm ____________________ Asian Longhorned Beetle The Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) a pest of hardwood trees including maple, birch and horse chestnut, was recently discovered in Worcester, Massachusetts. It is an invasive species -native to China-that causes damage by tunneling within the trunks and branches of trees, disrupting the sap flow and weakening and eventually killing them. It is considered a serious threat to the nursery, lumber, maple syrup, and tourism industries in our state. When purchasing trees from out of state- check that they have been certified free of Asian Longhorned beetle Please visit the websites below and familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms and check your trees. If you suspect you found one of these pests- place it in a jar and put it in the freezer ALB toll free hotline is 1-866-702-9938 or call Jim Esden, 802-885-8822 (VT Dept. Forests, Parks & Rec) or Forest Biology Lab 802-241-3606 http://www.vtfpr.org/protection/albupdate.cfm http://www.uvm.edu/albeetle/identification/index.html http://www.uvm.edu/albeetle/index.html _______________ Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Information from the State of Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks & Recreation: The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is infesting Vermont's beautiful hemlock trees. The HWA is a non-native insect that damages and kills forest and ornamental hemlock trees. In 2007 the HWA was found on mature, native trees in southern Vermont.. Since infestation can be most easily spotted this time of year, please inspect your hemlocks. Remove bird feeders between March and July, when HWAs can move to new areas on birds. Removal will have minimal impact on the birds since spring food sources are becoming available, but may be effective in slowing the spread of HWA. What to look for: The most obvious sign of HWA is a white, woolly mass found on the underside of twigs at the base of the needles. The masses look like the tips of cotton swabs. More established infestations may have thinning branches and grayish-green needles. If you think you find an infestation of HWA, do not remove any material from the site. Instead, take good notes about the exact location and call 802-241-3606 Forest Biology Lab or call 802-885-8822 Jim Esden, VT Dept of Forests, Parks & Recreation The VT Dept. of Forestry, Parks and Recreations has begun to take the offensive by releasing Laricobius - a predatory beetle that feeds almost exclusively on hemlock wooley adelgid. For more information, please call Jim Esden 802-885-8822 or email at jim.esden@state.vt.us You can find more information online at the Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks & Recreation website, http://www.vtfpr.org/protection/hwaupdate.cfm _______________ Invasive Plants in Vermont Plant Natives instead of Invasives: Wise on Weeds Find out more about the Nature Conservancy's Wise on Weeds! (WOW!) program to promote awareness of invasive plant species in Vermont: http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/vermont/volunteer/art30313.html Vermont Invasive Exotic Plant Committee Another source of information is this link to Vermont Invasive Exotic Plant Committee: http://www.vtinvasiveplants.org The Vermont Master Gardener Program has teamed up with The Nature Conservancy of Vermont to promote awareness of invasive exotic plant species in the Vermont landscape. Below you will find information on what constitutes an invasive exotic plant, how to deal with them, alternatives, and links to further information and activities: http://www.uvm.edu/mastergardener/invasives/invasives.htm The New England Wildflower Society has a wonderful publication filled with information and pictures :New England Wild Flower : Conservation Notes of the New England Wild Flower Society http://www.newfs.org/publications-and-resources/NEWFS%20Conservation%20Notes%202006.pdf - Photographs and descriptions of Invasive plants- go to page 10 Photographs and pictures of Alternatives- go to page 26 _______________________________________ Other Insects Reported in Our Area Viburnum Leaf Beetle Local reports that this guy is eating our viburnums. Visit the following web site for more information: http://www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb/ http://www.uvm.edu/pss/ppp/articles/viburnum.html Lily Leaf Beetle The lily leaf beetle, an invasive species that dines on and destroys ornamental lily plants. The brilliant red lily leaf beetle is back in Vermont! Visit the web sites below to see more pictures and ways of controlling them: http://vacd.org/onrcd/Red_Lily_Leaf_Beetles.pdf http://extension.unh.edu/Pubs/HGPubs/LilyLeaf.pdf http://bugguide.net/node/view/20177/bgimage ________________________________ Composting Composting: http://www.compostingvermont.org/links.htm http://www.uvm.edu/mastergardener/mastercomposter Go to LINKS & look at sites http://vermontcompost.com/ Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste District http://www.guvswd.org/compost __________________________________ Rain Gardens A rain garden is a landscaping feature that is planted with native perennial plants and is used to manage storm water runoff from impenetrable surfaces such as roofs, sidewalks, and parking lots. Please go to http://www.vacd.org/winooski/winooski_raingarden.shtml and you can download a great manual and plant list The New England Tropical Conservatory in Bennington is building a rain garden- see photos and get updates at : http://netrop.org/education/stormwater-management-project/ Other helpful links: http://www.sustainability.uconn.edu/pdf/raingardenbroch.pdf http://vacd.org/winooski/RGManualPlantListFINALofficeprintingmalandra2.pdf _________________________________________ Native Plants Native plants are those plants that grew in New England before the arrival of European settlers. Many of the plants you have in your landscape are probably native and you don't even know it. Native plants, as a group, are part of what makes New England unique. In addition, native plant communities provide a vital habitat for New England's wildlife. Top Ten Native Plants for the Northeast: http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife/northeast.cfm?CFID=15568738&; Native Plant Nurseries: http://www.nativeplant.org/VTsources.html State Plant Listings - Vermont: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rdsduse/vt.htm The mission of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes. Click below link for the recommended (commercially available) native plant species suitable for planned landscapes in Vermont: http://www.wildflower.org/collections/collection.php?collection=VT _______________________________________ Sustainable Woodstock Blog: http://www.sustainablewoodstock.com/ Sustainable Woodstock is a group of residents from Woodstock and surrounding towns. What unites them is their interest in helping our communities--and the Upper Valley in general--become more sustainable. They intend to make a real, measurable difference in the way we live our own lives and inspire our neighbors by encouraging people to become more energy-efficient, buy more local food, drive less, support local merchants and contribute to the local economy. Contact: bbarbellb@yahoo.com _____________________________ Dartmouth Organic Farm The Dartmouth Organic Farm is a student-run educational and working garden that provides members of the Dartmouth community with opportunities for independent research, student projects, and hands on experience in sustainable food and energy systems. Click on this link for more information: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~doc/organicfarm/ ________________________________ Books The Norman Williams Public Library carries 293 entries for the search for 'gardening' and 132 entries for the search 'conservation'. http://www.normanwilliams.lib.vt.us/index2.html Three selections from the list are: 1. Woodland Gardens, Shade Gets Chic, A Brooklyn Botanical Garden Publication 2. The Naturalist's Garden, written by Ruth Shaw Ernest Check with local bookstore's for the following guide to gardening and conservation: Native Plants of the Northeast, written by Donald J. Leopold
Woodstock Garden Club PO Box 633, Woodstock, Vermont 05091 woodstockgc@gmail.com