Protecting Indianas State Parks and Reservoirs from Invasive Pests - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Protecting Indiana’s State Parks and Reservoirs from Invasive Pests Carried in Firewood

Updated April 2011

Jodie Ellis

Invasive Forest Pests Education Program Purdue Entomology E-mail: ellisj@purdue.edu Phone: 765-494-0822

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• There are 140 known pests that are moved in
• firewood. Many of these pests are non-native.
• The consequences of these pests’ introduction

into our forests are often devastating and irreversible.

• By far, the best strategy against invasive forest

pests is to prevent their introduction; it is difficult

• r often impossible to manage them once they

establish.

• All Indiana citizens and visitors to the state

have a responsibility to protect DNR properties from destructive pests.

Why Manage Firewood in Indiana State Parks and Properties?

Slide 2

Problems with Firewood

• Firewood is difficult to regulate by law.
• Firewood is often moved over long

distances.

• Campers leave leftover firewood, which

could allow insects and pathogens to emerge.

• Occasionally this firewood is picked up

and moved to new places.

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• Emerald Ash Borer
• Goldspotted Oak Borer
• Asian Longhorned Beetle
• Sirex Wood Wasp
• European and Asian Gypsy Moth
• Winter Moth
• Bark Beetles (several kinds)
• Hemlock Wooly Adelgid
• Sudden Oak Death
• Thousand Cankers Disease of Black Walnut

Trees

• Beech Bark Disease
• And many more….

An Incomplete List of Non-Native Pests and Pathogens Transported in Firewood

Slide 4

As an example, Emerald Ash Borer has been moved to many new places with the unwitting help of people, often when they take infested ash firewood and ash logs to campsites. The insect is now widely distributed in Indiana.

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Known introductions of Emerald Ash Borer in Indiana that directly resulted from movement of infested ash firewood.

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• Places where firewood is

frequently brought in from

• utside sources, such as

campgrounds and recreational areas, are often the first places where invasive forest pests escape into new areas.

• The purpose of this new policy

is to protect Indiana DNR properties from invasive pests and pathogens.

The New Indiana DNR Firewood Policy for State Parks and Properties

Slide 7

Can Campers Still Enjoy Campfires Without Putting Indiana Forests at Risk?

People may still bring firewood onto DNR properties if (and only if!) they follow very specific guidelines to make sure the wood is safe.

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• 1. Is kiln-dried, scrap lumber.
• 2. Originated at any location within Indiana and all of its

bark has been removed, including one-half inch into the sapwood (the layer of the tree beneath the bark).

• 3. Is in a packaged bundle (often purchased from

department stores, big box stores, grocery stores, gas stations, etc.) and bears a valid USDA compliance stamp.

• 4. Is purchased from a firewood vendor located near the

property who supplies a valid state compliance stamp.

• 5. Is purchased from the property’s camp store or from an
• n-site firewood vendor; this firewood must also bear a

state compliance stamp.

Firewood is considered safe to bring onto DNR properties if it meets at least one of the following criteria:

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Most insects and diseases cannot survive prolonged hot temperatures nor extremely dry conditions. The process of kiln-drying wood creates both of these conditions, making the wood safe to transport.

• 1. Kiln-dried scrap lumber

How lumber is kiln-dried

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• Completely removing the part of

firewood where insects and pathogens feed, rest, or reproduces virtually eliminates risks.

• This process will require extra time

and effort on the part of the camper.

• Park personnel should

carefully inspect the firewood to make sure all bark has been taken off.

• 2. Firewood from anywhere within Indiana

with all bark removed, including one-half

inch into the sapwood (the layer of the tree beneath the bark).

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Firewood that bears these stamps has been treated in a way approved to eliminate insects and diseases by the USDA, such as heat treating or fumigation.

• 3. Firewood purchased in a packaged bundle

(often from a department store, grocery store, gas station, etc.), bearing a valid USDA compliance stamp.

Examples of USDA Compliance stamps

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• 4. The firewood is purchased from a

firewood vendor located near the property and bears a state compliance stamp.

Many firewood vendors near campgrounds and picnic areas have compliance agreements with the Indiana DNR, that certify their firewood that is “forest-safe “. These vendors should provide the buyer a State Compliance stamp with the firewood.

Example of an Indiana State Compliance stamp

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• 5. The firewood is purchased from the

property’s camp store or from an on-site firewood vendor; this firewood must also contain a state compliance stamp.

• Many camp stores on state properties either sell firewood

directly to their visitors or have a vendor on site.

• Firewood sold in campgrounds must also carry state

issued compliance stamps.

Example of an Indiana State Compliance stamp

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The mission of Parks and State Properties regarding firewood is simple: Protect Indiana’s state-owned forests and natural areas by educating visitors and encouraging responsible behavior.

Slide 15

Help campers remember the “Three Bs” of firewood:

• 1. Bring it debarked.
• 2. Buy it stamped.
• 3. Burn it all!

Slide 16

Each DNR property is handling firewood checks in locations (gates, campgrounds, etc) that work best for that site.

• In some locations, entrance or campground gate

attendants may be asking campers whether they brought firewood.

• In other locations, security officers and interpreters may

rove the campground and ask campers about their wood.

• In any event, you should be aware of how this is being

handled on YOUR property. Check with your manager to find out what you need to do.

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Instructions for Gate Attendants

Scenario 1: Visitors do NOT bring firewood with them but want to purchase some.

• Inform visitors of where they

can purchase compliant firewood on or near the

• property. Keep a list with

current information handy.

• Remind visitors to burn all

firewood they purchase before leaving the property.

Brad Bumgardner discusses EAB with a park visitor at Pokagon.

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Scenario 2: Visitors bring non-compliant firewood to the property.

• Briefly explain the Indiana DNR Policy
• Recommend that they

burn all firewood completely before leaving their campsite.

• Offer printed information on the firewood policy.

Always be polite and respectful.

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Surrendered (voluntarily) firewood needs to be burned as quickly as possible, preferably within 24 hours.

Slide 20

Please contact Purdue’s Invasive Forest Pest Outreach and Education Program at

(765) 494-0822

If you have questions about invasive forest pests or firewood.

Slide 21

Questions You Will Be Asked (and Answers!)

“HOW IS THIS POLICY DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE USED FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF EMERALD ASH BORER?”

• This new policy is being implemented because there are many

potential pests and pathogens that can be moved in firewood – this is not just about the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), although EAB is a great example of how pests and pathogens can be moved in firewood.

• EAB is a problem, and there is the potential for the same thing to

happen with other pests and pathogens.

• It is better to be proactive than reactive.

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“WHY IMPLEMENT THIS POLICY NOW?”

The Department of Natural Resources is charged with managing and conserving the natural and cultural resources of Indiana. There are 140

• r more pests and pathogens currently identified that can potentially be

moved in firewood. Some of these pests can, if introduced to a DNR property, devastate forested areas where popular hiking trails are located and greatly reduce shade in property campgrounds.

Slide 23

There are many, but the following are of most concern to the DNR: Asian Longhorned Beetles kill maples and other tree species; Thousand Cankers Disease of Black Walnut was recently found in Tennessee; Sirex wood wasps attack pines and is now present in New York; Gypsy Moths can be moved in egg masses laid on firewood and is a quarantined pest in Indiana; several types of oak borers girdle and kill oak trees; Beech Bark Disease is caused by an insect and fungus working together to kill American Beech trees – it is already killing the beech trees in Michigan’s forests and campgrounds. Unfortunately, there are many more.

Asian Longhorned Beetle Thousand Cankers Disease Sirex Wood Wasp Gypsy moth Beech Bark Disease

“WHAT OTHER PESTS ARE TRANSPORTED IN FIREWOOD?”

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“CAN I BRING DEBARKED WOOD TO INDIANA FROM ANOTHER STATE?”

• No. Federal law prohibits the

movement of firewood across state lines into or out of Indiana without a federal compliance stamp. The stamp is only available to businesses, not to private individuals.

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“DOES THE NEW POLICY APPLY TO PINE AND SPRUCE FIREWOOD, OR DOES IT APPLY ONLY TO HARDWOOD FIREWOOD?”

Under the new policy, pine and spruce firewood is also regulated. All bark must be removed from these species, too.

Slide 26

• We cannot control the pricing structure that local vendors have for

their firewood, but we do monitor the wood sold by our local concessionaires who operate camp stores and the wood directly sold by our properties.

• If visitors have concerns about consistent quality or cost of wood,

encourage them to can email us at firewood@dnr.IN.gov and our concession inspectors can check it.

• Please reinforce that our intent with this new

policy is NOT to create a financial burden

• n our visitors. The intent is to honor our

mission to conserve and manage our natural and cultural resources so that future generations can continue to enjoy them.

“THE FIREWOOD SOLD BY LOCAL VENDORS AND ON PROPERTIES IS EXPENSIVE AND ISN’T ALWAYS THE BEST QUALITY. WHAT CAN THE IDNR DO ABOUT THIS?”

Slide 27

“WHAT HAPPENS IF I CHOOSE NOT TO COOPERATE WITH THE NEW FIREWOOD POLICY?”

• In 2011, politely ask visitors to reconsider and, at the very least, burn

all of the firewood they brought with them.

• In 2012, when this policy becomes a property rule, illegal firewood

may be confiscated and the owner could be issued a citation if he or she does not comply.

Slide 28

“WHERE CAN I FIND VENDORS TO BUY FIREWOOD FROM WHO HAVE A STATE COMPLIANCE STAMP?”

Vendors who have a valid state compliance agreement and will be able to provide you with a copy of the compliance stamp for your firewood are listed on the IDNR’s Division of Entomology's website at:

www.in.gov/dnr/entomolo/files/ep-CA_firewood.pdf

This document is updated monthly.

Slide 29

To report invasive pests, call the Indiana DNR’s toll-free number:

(1-866-663-9684)

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You will now be directed to an

• nline quiz.

Thank you for your hard work in protecting Indiana forests!

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