Join a Community-based Monitoring Project for the Early Detection of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Alberta

About the project

Your help is needed to monitor ash trees in your community and report signs and symptoms of declining health caused by an invasive wood-boring beetle that attacks and kills ash trees. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), since it was detected in 2002 in eastern Canada and the United States, has killed tens of millions of ash trees across North America.

Cities across Alberta have high numbers of ash planted along their street boulevards and open green spaces. These ash trees are now at risk of being lost and immediate action is needed. All ash tree species (Fraxinus genus) are highly vulnerable.

How can you help? Monitoring and Reporting is easy. Being on the lookout for ash trees that may not look healthy while out on a walk with your dog or sitting in a nearby park/playground. Early detection is vital.

By identifying the signs and symptoms of EAB early, community monitoring and reporting can trigger rapid response measures. Collective efforts will give Alberta municipalities the best chance to slow its spread and protect our urban forest.

Impacts from EAB infestations devastate urban forests

BEFORE Emerald Ash Borer - 2006 Toledo, Ohio

(Dan Herms, Ohio University)

(Dan Herms, Ohio University)

AFTER Emerald Ash Borer - 2009 Toledo, Ohio

Why Your Support is Vital to the Future of Our Urban Forests

Ecological and Environmental:

Ash trees play a life-sustaining role in our cities. They are essential for:

  • supporting and sustaining biodiversity and resilient ecosystems

  • they provide food and shelter for hundreds of species of insects, including pollinators, birds, and mammals

  • support entire food webs and diverse microhabitats

  • provide essential ecoservices that sustain our quality of life by cooling our communities, cleaning the air we breath by absorbing carbon dioxide, harmful gases like nitrogen oxides and ozone, producing oxygen and are key to managing stormwater/overland flooding

Social Well-being:

Ash trees are key in contributing:

  • to strengthening community connections by encouraging social interaction, fostering stronger relationships between neighbours and increasing feelings of safety

  • in the promotion of physical activity and recreation with measureable positive impacts to our mental well-being such as reduced stress and anxiety. This can lead to healthy heart rates and blood pressure

  • to beneficial impacts on road safety, reduce crime rates and incidences of violence

  • to beautifying our living spaces

Economic:

Ash tree ecoservices are central to municipal climate adaptation and resilience frameworks and are included in Asset Management Plans. The same plans that are used for managing roads, pipes, and buildings. The ecoservices they provide can be quantified in terms of carbon storage and sequestration, improved air quality, reduced energy use (shade, windbreak), stormwater interception, and increased property values.

  • In the City of Edmonton, there are approximately 180,000 public and private ash trees. They represent 20% of all boulevard trees and are valued at $390 Million (City of Edmonton UFAMP, 2021). In the City of Calgary, there are approximately 70,000 public with even more privately-owned ash trees (CBC, 2024)

  • Valued in the billions, the ecoservices these assets provide support the efficient functioning of cities. For the City of Edmonton, these benefits are valued at over $2.7 Billion (City of Edmonton UFAMP, 2021). In the City of Calgary, their canopy cover value is estimated at $1.3 billion (Nagy, A. Avenue Calgary, 2021)

  • Rural ash shelterbelts shield homes, gardens, buildings and keep roads accessible from northwesterly winds, snow and overland flooding. They protect our rich agricultural soils and nutrients from erosion and severe droughts. Over two million ash trees have been planted in rural shelterbelt areas since the program started. These stands of ash trees are at risk

  • Tree nursery operations have made significant production investments in supplying ash tree species throughout Alberta for numerous municipalities. Recent commitments are estimated at $10 Million

Collaboration is key to protecting and sustaining our urban forests.

In addition to this community-based monitoring project, the City of Edmonton has recently launched their Urban Forest Ambassador Program.

Information