{"id":1236,"date":"2025-06-04T09:44:52","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T13:44:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/?p=1236"},"modified":"2025-06-04T09:44:53","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T13:44:53","slug":"become-an-invasive-plant-detector-in-upcoming-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/site.extension.uga.edu\/fultonag\/2025\/06\/become-an-invasive-plant-detector-in-upcoming-training\/","title":{"rendered":"Become an Invasive Plant Detector in Upcoming Training"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Plant Healthcare: Detecting & Responding to Atlanta’s Most Dangerous Pests<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sat Aug 09\u00a0|\u00a012pm-3pm
Trees Atlanta Kendeda TreeHouse
825 Warner St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30310<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you a volunteer or greenspace steward ready to take action to protect our local plants and ecosystems? Since 2022, the\u00a0American Public Gardens Association\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These insects pose a threat to species of Atlanta\u2019s urban forest, causing significant ecological and economic impact: emerald<\/strong>\u00a0ash borer, asian longhorn beetle, box tree moth.<\/strong>\u00a0Join the American Public Gardens Association, University of Georgia Extension<\/a>, and Trees Atlanta<\/a> for a special training on how to recognize, monitor, and manage this threat to trees in Atlanta parks, greenspaces, and neighborhoods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The American Public Garden Association<\/strong>\u00a0is 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\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Presenters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Angela McTigue<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Philip Hensley<\/strong> 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 \u201cinsect nerd\u201d and enjoys sharing his knowledge about all bugs, good and bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n