Tree watch 2024 - safeguard our future

Aug 05, 2024
By Farms.com

Canadians urged to inspect trees for invasive pests this August

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) dedicates August to Tree Check Month, calling on citizens to help protect our forests from invasive pests. The initiative highlights the critical role individuals play in detecting pests that can devastate tree populations.

Farmers can easily understand the importance of this initiative, as well, many farmers will have woodlots on their property. Invasive species like the emerald ash borer and spongy moth not only harm trees but also pose a significant threat to our agricultural and economic landscapes.

These pests can spread via simple actions, such as transporting firewood or traveling between regions with infested materials.

Here are ways every Canadian can make a difference during Tree Check Month -

Educate yourself about the pests prevalent in your area through the CFIA's online resources.

Regularly inspect trees on your property, local parks, and community for signs of pest infestation.

Practice responsible tourism and recreation by inspecting and cleaning your vehicles and equipment.

Report any unusual findings to the CFIA to help prevent the spread of these pests.

Engaging in Tree Check Month activities, including the Plant Health Hero challenge, offers a hands-on approach to conservation. Participants are encouraged to explore their natural surroundings, document their findings, and share insights using the hashtag #TreeCheckMonth on social media.

This initiative not only fosters community involvement in environmental conservation but also educates the public on the importance of proactive environmental stewardship.

By participating in Tree Check Month, Canadians can contribute significantly to the protection and preservation of our treasured forests, ensuring they remain vibrant and productive for generations to come.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.