Stearns Co. Parks is looking for volunteers to help determine if there are any signs of the Emerald Ash Borer on Warner Lake Park’s ash trees. 

The Parks Dept. is putting together an inventory of the number of ash trees within the park and where they are located. After identifying each ash tree, they would like to know if there are any signs of the Emerald Ash Borer.

The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive forest insect responsible for the deaths of millions of ash trees. The insect infests and kills both weak and healthy ash trees. 

The spread of Emerald Ash Borer will have a serious impact on area forests and communities. Although frigid winter temperatures in northern Minnesota may help to slow the spread and survival of the insect, cold won’t stop it completely. 

Emerald Ash Borer has been detected in Clearwater and St. Cloud.

There are two opportunities to volunteer; Tuesday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Tuesday, April 25 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Participants will meet at Warner Lake Nature Center.

Volunteers are asked to submit an online report on each ash tree located to Stearns Co. Parks.

Everyone interested in helping with this important study is asked to register for one of the two events online at Secure.rec1.com/MN/stearns-county-mn/catalog.

Warner Lake park is located just outside Clearwater at 1485 Co. Rd. 143.