There they learned how to identify ash trees, spot the signs and symptoms of infestation, organize bulk purchases of treatment or removal in their neighbourhoods, and encourage replanting through our subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program. These volunteers are now starting to organize community meetings, go door-to-door to tell their neighbours about this issue, and spread the word about EAB through social media. We’re so excited to see the difference their efforts will make!
We want to replicate their efforts throughout York Region – and we need your help! Become an EAB Ambassador today and help us spread the word about this pressing issue.It’s anticipated that most of the estimated 2,800,000 mature ash trees growing in York Region (700,000 of which are found in the urban forest) will become infested and die within the next ten to fifteen years. The infestation is moving quickly and trees are starting to come down. There is no time to lose!
It is critical that we act now to inform our friends and neighbours about the anticipated effects of Emerald Ash Borer. As a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine earlier this year demonstrated, the loss of trees resulting from EAB will have a significant impact on the health of our communities. The study looked at 15 states where EAB was present (across which approximately 100 million ash trees had been lost) and concluded that an additional 6113 deaths related to illness of the lower respiratory system, and 15,080 cardiovascular-related deaths, could be linked to the loss of trees caused by the borer.
Join us and help get the word out in your community. Sign up and become an EAB Ambassador today! You’ll get information to share with your friends and neighbours, as well as a newsletter that shows our collective progress. LEAF will be hosting an EAB Ambassador training workshop in Newmarket in spring of 2014 where all Ambassadors will receive training and support to go out and spread the word!
Don’t have time to volunteer? There are still ways you can help. Take a few minutes to educate yourself about the issue by watching our EAB videos (and share them while you’re at it!). Or sign up for LEAF’s Backyard Tree Planting Program for an easy, convenient and affordable way to replace those trees that will be lost due to this infestation. #WatchYourAsh!
The EAB Ambassador Program is supported by Ontario Power Generation's Biodiversity Program, Live Green, a project of the City of Toronto, York Region and Ontario Trillium Foundation.