Burn it where you buy it: Stop the spread of invasive pests

We need your help to stop the spread of invasive pests that can cause significant damage to its forests.

Two cartoon men stand in front of a stack of firewood under text that reads "Slaps firewood. This bad boy can fit so many emerald ash borers in it."

Our parks have a wide variety of natural native and planted non-native trees and forests, which makes them at risk for almost every worrisome invasive pest. Parks are of particular concern because they have visitors from all over the state and country who often bring their own camping supplies for their stay. This includes the main culprit for invasive pest transfer: firewood.

But the battle to prevent the spread of these pests isn’t hopeless. The best way to help prevent these pests from decimating parks and forests is to buy your firewood where you plan to burn it – that means don’t move firewood from location to location.

Invasive pests are looking for a free ride and it’s our job not to give it to them. When you move firewood, you’re also moving all the creepy crawlies that are hiding in the wood and under the bark. Buy firewood for your campfires in the area you plan to stay.

Another way to prevent the spread is to check your camping gear and belongings for insects before packing up and taking them home.

“We are the only organism capable of transporting these pests the long distances that lead to widespread invasion, so our awareness matters,” Dave Cass, Parks Agency Forester, said. “Visitors to state parks need to be especially considerate because of the unique risk our parks face as an entry point for an invasive pest and because our trees and forests are what we love and value about many of these places. Rarely does the individual have such a direct role in averting a potential environmental catastrophe, but that’s what we are asking of our visitors in this case.”