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They Came By Firewood

OUR TREES ARE UNDER ATTACK FROM EXOTIC INSECTS LIKE THE EMERALD ASH BORER AND ASIAN LONG-HORNED BEETLE.  LEARN HOW TO HELP STOP THE INVASION ON TODAY’S ENVIRONMINUTE.

IF YOU PUT FIREWOOD INTO THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR, EXOTIC INVADERS COULD BE HITCHING A RIDE AND EASILY INFESTING NEW FORESTS.  JANE CUMMINGS CARLSON OF WISCONSIN’S FOREST HEALTH PROTECTION PROGRAM IS TRYING TO STOP THE FREE RIDES.

CARLSON: "IT’S VERY IMPORTANT TO BE PROACTIVE ABOUT LIMITING HOW FAR FIREWOOD IS MOVED BECAUSE WE NEVER KNOW WHAT NEW EXOTIC INSECT OR DISEASE MIGHT BE PRESENT IN THE WOOD.”

(SFX: SPLITTING FIREWOOD)

CARLSON SAYS IT’S BEST TO GET FIREWOOD FROM WITHIN FIFTY MILES OF WHERE IT WILL BE BURNED. OR IF YOU CUT YOUR OWN, LET IT SIT FOR TWO YEARS SO ANY STOWAWAYS CAN CLEAR OUT.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LOCAL REGULATIONS, CALL YOUR STATE’S NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY.

THE ENVIRONMINUTE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE HEINZ FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES AND THE HEINZ ENDOWMENTS.  LEARN MORE BY VISITING ENVIRONMINUTE-DOT-COM. 

Read more from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Read the USDA Forest Service firewood alert.

Access the Union of Concerned Scientists "firewood pledge.”