Nebraska will again be participating in the National EAB Awareness Week Campaign in 2009. EAB Awareness Week is a national effort to increase public awareness about EAB, its biology, means of spread, and the threat it poses for all ash trees in North America.

Governor Heineman will be signing a Proclamation on May 13, 2009, declaring May 17-23 as Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week in Nebraska. The Nebraska EAB Working group is promoting EAB education through the use of outreach trees and yard signs, distribution of EAB ID cards and brochures, and radio spots.

Outreach trees grab the public's attention and bring the threat of EAB home for many people. Ash trees are wrapped with yellow caution tape, and a sign in posted on the trunk, indicating that this tree is as risk of infestation by EAB, should it be found in Nebraska. Outreach trees will be set at state parks and recreation areas, Nebraska's National Forest, Corp of Engineer recreation areas, Natural Resource Conservation and Nebraska Natural Resource offices, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Affiliate sites, USDA offices, and college and university campuses.

Yard signs encouraging campers to buy and burn only local firewood will also be utilized to spread the word about EAB. These yard signs highlight the connection between the movement of firewood and the spread of EAB. Since its initial introduction, EAB has been spread great distances by campers and homeowners that unknowingly took infested firewood with them to uninfested areas, where the beetle emerged and infested new ash trees. Buy locally grown and harvested firewood for home use. When you camp, buy firewood at your destination.

EAB educational materials, including ID cards and brochures, are also being distributed as part of EAB Awareness Week Activities.

Think you have found EAB in Nebraska?
If you suspect you have found an EAB infestation in Nebraska, please contact the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at (402) 471-2394 or the national EAB hotline at 866-322-4512.