FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2024
** NOXIOUS WEED WORKSHOP NOTICE **
Tree-of-Heaven Field Tour
Thursday, May 9, 2024
(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Chris Boice, Tim Freeman, and Tom Kress along with the Douglas County Public Works - Natural Resources Division and the Douglas County Noxious Weed Advisory Board (DCWAB) are excited to announce a free noxious weed workshop on Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Douglas County Fairgrounds located at 2110 SE Frear Street in Roseburg, Oregon. The workshop sponsored by DCWAB will feature a field tour of tree-of-heaven.
The tour will be led by Douglas County Natural Resources Specialist, Tracy Pope, a trained botanist, and certified arborist. She will be joined by Carri Pirosko, Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Noxious Weed Specialist for Southwest Oregon.
Join us to learn all about Tree-of-Heaven, (aka Ailanthus altissima), a recognized noxious weed in Douglas County. This rapidly expanding invasive species is emerging as a common nuisance in urban areas, on riverbanks, and along roadways throughout southwest Oregon. Participants will hear about the history of this invasive tree, why it is a problem, and what treatment options are available. Additionally, Tree-of-Heaven is also the primary host for another invasive species, the Spotted Lanternfly. We will discuss this pest and its association with Tree-of-Heaven, including issues, identification, monitoring, and reporting.
The workshop is an outdoor “rain or shine” walking tour. Light refreshments will be provided; however, attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch. To ensure a quality experience for participants, the tour group size is limited. Please reserve your space before May 1, 2024.
For more information, parking instructions and to register for the tour please log onto: https://douglascountyor.gov/362/Natural-Resources or call Tracy Pope at (541) 440-4255 or email tracy.pope@douglascountyor.gov. For more information about DCWAB visit their webpage at https://douglascountyor.gov/456/Noxious-Weed-Advisory-Board.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell | Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Public Information Officer | Phone: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
Workshop Flyer Attached