Jim La Plante was re-elected chairman of the OntarioBays Initiative, Inc. Board of Directors for 2011 duringOBI's recent annual general meeting.
The board considered nominations for officers anddirectors during the meeting, which was held onNovember 1, 2010 at the Copley House in Chaumont.
This will be Jim's second year leading the land trust's10-member board of directors. Bob Wardwell was reelectedas vice-chairman and Joan Treadwell Woodswas re-elected as treasurer. Lee Russell was re-electedto serve as OBI's land steward.
Tracy Valentine was elected secretary. She replacesVerna Docteur, who is stepping down after eight yearsas secretary. Verna continues to serve on the board.Others on the board are Joel Block, Ruth Uhlig andCarol Simpson and Sally Hirschey.
All officers are elected for a one-year term; directorsare elected for two-year terms.
It turns out they are traps for a tree-boring beetle called the Emerald Ash Borer. The insect is from eastern Asia and is a real threat to local forests because it infests and eventually kills North American ash trees.
The invasive species was discovered in Cattaraugus County this spring and there are worries that the insect will make its way to other parts of the state. According to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the beetle was first confirmed to be in the state last year.
The DEC Region 6 office monitors the traps in our area in hopes of reacting in time to save the many ash trees in our area. The state has more than 900 million ash trees, according to the DEC, and all are at risk.
The Emerald Ash Borer has metallic green wing covers and a coppery red or purple abdomen, according to the DEC. It is small enough to fit easily on a penny. The main reason this small but destructive beetle spreads is through the movement of firewood and wood products from one place to another. Therefore, the DEC asks that you leave firewood at home instead of bringing it to campgrounds and parks. Buy firewood at the campground from a local vendor and ask for a receipt or label that lists the firewood's source.
