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Monmouth County Prepares For Gypsy Moth Threat
Residents Invited To March Forum To Review Suppression Measures
 | | --Photo Courtesy Of County Of Monmouth, New Jersey The Monmouth County Shade Tree Commission will be holding a public forum in March to discuss measures being taken to control and suppress gypsy moths. |
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FREEHOLD - The Monmouth County Shade Tree Commission announced this week that it will be holding its annual spring forum featuring the county's planned 2008 gypsy moth spray program on March 26, 7 p.m. at the Monmouth County Agriculture Building on Kozloski Road in Freehold.
"Gypsy moths continue to damage trees on hundreds of acres of forest throughout Monmouth County," said Freeholder William C. Barham. "The gypsy moth problem is cyclical, and the county's Shade Tree Commission has been on top of the situation since the reappearance of the gypsy moth caterpillars in 2005.
However, the problem isn't as bad as it could have been, said Barham.
"The situation would be far worse had the county not resumed spraying," he said.
Spraying throughout the county is scheduled to begin in May when the caterpillars become active.
Homeowners and town representatives who attend the spring forum will learn how to deal with gypsy moths to minimize the damage from these and other pests.
"This year's program will focus on pest problems, specifically how towns and homeowners can understand and tackle gypsy moths, other insect problems and tree diseases," said John W. Tobia, director of the Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering.
"We will focus on ways in which we can all work together to keep damage caused by gypsy moth caterpillar defoliation to a minimum," he said.
The spring forum will begin with opening remarks by Tobia, and introductions and an overview of the forum will be made by Shade Tree Commission Chairwoman Arlene Stump.
Some of the forum topics will include:
• New Jersey's gypsy moth program and spray block program in Monmouth County presented by Joseph Zoltowski, chief of the Bureau of Plant, Pest & Disease Control for the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
• Monmouth County's 2008 aerial suppression program, and what measures homeowners can take to control these pests, presented by Brian Gosnell, the Monmouth County gypsy moth coordinator.
• "Pest Problems Heading Our Way: What to Expect and How to Prepare," presented by Richard Obal, the county's agricultural agent from the Rutgers Cooperative Research & Extension Service. Obal is expected to demonstrate how this program will focus on new invasive pests heading to New Jersey, and describe strategies to prepare and minimize the impact of these new pests.
The annual spring forum is open to all Monmouth County residents. Those planning to attend are urged to register with the Monmouth County Shade Tree Commission by calling 732-431-7903.
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