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New Training to Help Fight Emerald Ash Borer

A new program aims to train people to become early detectors of signs of the emerald ash borer infestation in ash trees in Western & Central New York.

The insect has killed millions of ash trees, and is spreading in western New York.

Cornell University's Mark Whitmore, a forest entomologist, is training people to be first detectors of the bug, so they accurately report it, and educate others.

Whitmore says communities need to be engaged in the battle against the beetle.

The training sessions will cover the biology of the insect and the signs and symptoms of ash tree infestation.

Whitmore says there were false reports last summer in the area, and people need to be able to accurately identify signs and symptoms on the trees themselves.

He says the strategy right now is slow the spread of the pest, and that can buy some time to work on a solution.

The first detector training session in Rochester will be held May 29th at Cornell Cooperative Extension.

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Alex Crichton is host of All Things Considered on WXXI-FM 105.9/AM 1370. Alex delivers local news, weather and traffic reports beginning at 4 p.m. each weekday.