To engage the and educate the public and other environmental professionals in the southern great lakes region on the identification and mitigation of hemlock wooly activities to be performed:…

To engage the and educate the public and other environmental professionals in the southern great lakes region on the identification and mitigation of hemlock wooly activities to be performed: implement new interpretive signage near high traffic visitor areas at the arboretum to enhance informal education within the institution. The development and distribution of informational pamphlets to travel centers in neighboring states is the second component of this project. With a total of six informational sessions (three in person, three virtual), we hope to reach between 15-25 participants per session during a 45-minute presentation with 15 minutes for questions and answers. This project is to host informal education tabling events at both cleveland botanic gardens and holden arboretum as well as lead at least one school field trip to teach students about forest health. Deliverables and expected outcomes: increase the knowledge of invasive pests and pathogens as drivers of global change to the public and school-aged children. Raise awareness, specifically targeting regional travelers, of two destructive organisms that are continuing to spread through the great lakes region, potentially preventing inadvertent spread. Increase recognition of the organisms to enhance early detection by the public and those working in the not-for-profit plant industry. Share mitigation techniques with other botanical gardens and arboreta where these organisms may soon spread, to minimize losses of ornamental plantings. Intended beneficiary(IES): lower great lakes region of ohio.subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: none at this time