Riparian forests are a critical nexus between terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, and hydrology. They help regulate water and nutrients entering water bodies, maintain shade and cooler water temperatures, and provide important wildlife habitat corridors.
A number of the keystone riparian tree species (particularly of northern riparian forests) in eastern forests of the United States are affected by devastating invasive pests and diseases including Dutch elm disease, emerald ash borer (EAB), and hemlock wooly adelgid. Restoration of native forest cover in riparian forests or adding resilience to riparian forests through plantings and invasive species management can help maintain their important ecosystem functions.
he U. S Forest Service will hold an Emerald Ash Borer and Riparian Forest Management webinar on January 9th from Noon to 1 pm ET.
In this one-hour webinar, Andrea Scholer, a Forest Service entomologist, will explain the biology of EAB, its impacts on riparian forests across the Forest Service’s Eastern Region, and management options.
Gini Breidenbach from Minnesota Land Trust will describe their approach to increasing the resilience of riparian forests along the St. Louis River estuary in Duluth, Minnesota. Their work features an understanding of Minnesota’s Native Plant Communities and a partnership with and planting guidance from the local band of Ojibwe.
Jim Kettler and Amy Lentz of Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership with Melissa Curran of Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. will share their approach to restoring riparian forests that are currently losing canopy cover because of EAB. Located along the shore of Lake Michigan in Eastern Wisconsin, their work includes climate-informed species selection, invasive species management, and a multitude of local partners.
To take part in this webinar, register at Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams