The University of Extension will again be sponsoring the First Detector Workshops in 2016, for the third year in a row. These workshops have been well received by Arborists, Master Gardeners, City Arborists, Master Naturalists, Landscaper and Nursery business for their timely and strong informational content on known invasive species and those invasive pests headed to Illinois. The workshops are aimed at improving the first detector training and invasive species awareness for all attendees. Early detection and response is the key to managing invasive pests.

This coming year there will be eight First Detector Workshops throughout Illinois with the closest one on February 2, 2016 in the Will County Extension Office, 100 Manhattan Road
Joliet, IL 60433. This day long program starts at 9:00am.

The workshops were put together in response to the rise in pest problems in Illinois on a number of fronts, aquatic, insect and disease. A recent example includes the Emerald Ash Borer which really got the attention of industry and homeowners alike.

In 2016 the topics will cover the recently found "Jumping Worms", the likely future invaders of Boxwood blight and the Thousand Cankers disease of Black walnut. While the Illinois Exotic Weed Act has been around for years, there is new information to be shared. Additionally the topic on threats to our forests by potential insect invaders will be very informative.

Each of these topics will cover identification and detection, life cycles for insects, diseases and invasive plants. Management strategies will be addressed as well.

The schedule for the day also includes "hands on" stations.

9:00–9:15 Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:15–9:45 Illinois First Detectors: Your Roles and Responsibilities

9:45–10:15 New to Illinois! Jumping Worms Discovered in 2015

10:15–10:30 Break

10:30–11:15 Regulated in Illinois: What You Need to Know About the IL Exotic Weed Act

11:15–12:00 Coming to Illinois? Boxwood Blight and Thousand Cankers Disease Updates

12:00–1:00 Lunch with opportunity for Open Discussion/Questions

1:00–1:45 Threat to Illinois Forests: Insect Invaders

1:45–2:00 Break

2:00–3:30 Hands-On Exercises

3:30–4:00 Evaluations/Wrap Up

For online registration go to: https://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=13297

Or call 815 727-9296

Registration closes on January 31, 2016.