MEDIA ADVISORY: MDA, DNR Working to Protect Maryland’s Premier Hemlock Stand at Swallow Falls State Park from Devastating Pest

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 4, 2011) – Maryland Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mary Ellen Setting will join federal and state Department of Agriculture Forest Pest Management experts, Maryland Park Service and dozens of Maryland Conservation Corps (MCC) students in taking proactive steps to protect Maryland’s premier hemlock stand from the devastating impact of the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). The HWA is a small exotic insect native to Japan, discovered in Virginia in 1951, that has slowly spread along the east coast of the United States resulting in hemlock decline and death.

At the request of the Maryland Park Service, Potomac Edison will supply a bucket truck and crew to assist the MDA entomologists and field technicians with inspecting the hemlocks in Swallow Falls State Park for signs of hemlock woolly adelgid infestation. Additionally, MDA, DNR and MCC will begin proactively treating thousands of hemlocks with soil and tree injections with the goal to ultimately treat 100 percent of the hemlocks in the state park.  This suppression technique complements the biocontrol release of predator insect currently underway, which is showing great promise in Maryland.

WHO:
Maryland Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mary Ellen Setting, federal and state Department of Agriculture Forest Pest Management experts, Maryland Park Service, along with dozens of Maryland Conservation Corps students.

WHAT:
A bucket truck will assist entomologists in their inspection of hemlocks in Swallow Falls State Park for signs of hemlock woolly adelgid infestation. Additionally, MDA, DNR and MCC will begin proactively treating thousands of hemlocks with soil and tree injections with the goal to ultimately treat 100 percent of the hemlocks in the state park.  This suppression technique complements the biocontrol release of predator insect currently underway, which is showing great promise in Maryland.

WHEN:
Wednesday, May 11 from 11 a.m. – noon.

WHERE:
Swallow Falls State Park
222 Herrington Lane, Oakland, MD 21550
Meet at the first parking lot on the right after the toll booth inside the main entrance.

NOTE:
Reporters/photographers planning to attend should RSVP to Julie Oberg, 443-758-4466.