January 09, 2017
Workshop to focus on invasive pests, oak diseases
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Finding and responding early to invasive pests is the key to managing them and the First Detector Workshop hosted by Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Touch of Nature Environmental Center later this month is the place to be to learn more.
The University of Illinois Extension Unit 26, which serves Jackson, Perry, Randolph and Williamson counties, is sponsoring a First Detector Workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 26 at Touch of Nature’s Freeburg Hall. The center is located about eight miles south of Carbondale on Giant City Road.
The workshop will provide information about oak diseases including sudden oak death, bur oak blight and oak wilt, as well as details about insects such as the gypsy moth that invade Illinois forests and damage trees. Presenters will also discuss invasive plants and how they affect people’s health during the in-depth training sessions that will incorporate hands-on learning activities. During the luncheon portion of the workshop, there will be a question and answer session to address anything else participants want to know.
The cost of the workshop is $40 (or $25 for students with proper identification). The registration charge covers all instruction, training materials and lunch. The deadline to sign up is Jan. 12. Space is limited so early registration is encouraged by visiting https://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=15466.
For more information, contact Maggie Rose at mro@illinois.edu or 618/687-1727.