By Scout Nelson
South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension is organizing two public meetings to address the emerald ash borer (EAB) threat in local communities. The sessions will take place in Watertown and Milbank, following confirmed EAB sightings in those areas.
The Watertown meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CDT on June 26, 2025, at the Codington County Extension Complex. Attendees should use Entrance I at the south end of the building. The Milbank meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. CDT on June 30, 2025, at the Milbank Visitor Center.
Both events are free and open to the public. While registration is not mandatory, it is encouraged through the SDSU Extension Events page by searching “emerald ash.”
Foresters from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources and SDSU Extension will lead the discussions. They will explain why the emerald ash borer poses a serious risk to ash trees and how to identify signs of infestation. The experts will also present management strategies for preserving valuable trees.
The meetings will include an overview of current state quarantines in Codington and Grant counties. These quarantines restrict the movement of ash trees and all hardwood firewood out of these areas to limit the spread of the beetle.
The emerald ash borer is a destructive beetle first discovered in Michigan in 2002. Since then, it has killed millions of ash trees across the United States. South Dakota confirmed its first case in 2018.
Each meeting will feature a question-and-answer session. For more details, individuals can contact John Ball, Professor and SDSU Extension Forestry Specialist.
These informative gatherings are essential for protecting community trees and raising awareness about forest health.
Photo Credit: istock-fangxianuo
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