Plant Healthcare: Detecting & Responding to Atlanta’s Most Dangerous Pests
Sat Aug 09 | 12pm-3pm
Trees Atlanta Kendeda TreeHouse
825 Warner St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Are you a volunteer or greenspace steward ready to take action to protect our local plants and ecosystems? Since 2022, the American Public Gardens Association’s Plant Protection Program has helped train hundreds of volunteers and professionals to detect and respond to regulated plant pests in public gardens and surrounding communities.
These insects pose a threat to species of Atlanta’s urban forest, causing significant ecological and economic impact: emerald ash borer, asian longhorn beetle, box tree moth. Join the American Public Gardens Association, University of Georgia Extension, and Trees Atlanta for a special training on how to recognize, monitor, and manage this threat to trees in Atlanta parks, greenspaces, and neighborhoods.
Participants will gain the most up to date information about these pests, how they move around, and why they are important to monitor. The second part of this training will take place in the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum. We’ll learn how to identify trees that could be affected and some of the tools and resources available to manage these pests and protect the health of trees in your community.
The American Public Garden Association is a not-for-profit association whose mission is to champion and advance public gardens as leaders, advocates, and innovators in the conservation and appreciation of plants. Learn more about their work here.
About the Presenters
Angela McTigue is the Plant Healthcare Coordinator at Trees Atlanta. She is an ISA Certified Arborist, Tree Risk Assessment Qualified, and holds a Pesticide Applicator License from the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Being from Florida, Angela received her undergraduate degree from New College of Florida in Environmental Studies and Biology and got her start with trees by studying coastal mangrove ecosystems. She now teaches tree pruning classes, coordinates tree maintenance, and loves taking care of the trees in Atlanta parks and along the streets.
Philip Hensley has served as an Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent for UGA Extension since December of 2018, in both Spalding and Rockdale counties. Before moving to Georgia, Philip attended the University of Tennessee, earning degrees in Plant Biotechnology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology. He conducted research focused on the biological control of forest pests and invasive insects, collaborating with the U.S. Forest Service, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Oak Ridge National Laboratories, and USDA. Philip is a passionate “insect nerd” and enjoys sharing his knowledge about all bugs, good and bad.
Additional Information
- Doors open at 12 PM. Mingle with other greenspace volunteers and professionals. Enjoy refreshments, pizza, and chance to meet other greenspace stewards.
- Getting Here: This event will take place at the Trees Atlanta Kenda Tree House (825 Warner St. SW 30310) . Bike racks are located on the side of the building close to the Atlanta Beltline path and near the grain silo. We are approximately 1 mile from the Oakland City and West End MARTA train stations (Red and Gold Lines) Limited number of parking spaces are available at our location in addition to limited street parking.
- Registration Information: Registration is required and is free. If you would like pizza before hand, please select the $5 option. Register here.
- What to Bring and Wear: Come as you are from your volunteer or Saturday morning activities. It is August in Atlanta, so expect air conditioning inside, and please bring a hat and water bottle for the outside part of this event on the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum.
- Safety and Inclement Weather Policy: Learn more about our current Safety Protocols for In-Person Education Events here
- Cancellation Policy: All cancellation requests must be emailed to education@treesatlanta.org. Cancelation requests that are not made via email will not be honored.
- Two weeks or less before the event date: No refund of program fee
- More than two weeks prior to the event date: Refund minus an administrative fee.
- If there is a need for Trees Atlanta to cancel an event, participants will receive a full refund.
- Questions: If you have any questions or comments regarding this event, please email education@treesatlanta.org.
