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November 19th, 2008A.D. Latornell Conservation Symposium
Hassaan BasitDirector, Communications Services
Conservation Halton
Gypsy Moth Control Communications Strategy
Presentation Outline• Natural history of Gypsy Moth• Communications Plan• Strategies and Tactics• Simple, science based messaging
The European gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar
• Accidentally introduced in 1896
• 500 Species on its menu! • Over winter as eggs• 100-1000/egg mass• Eggs hatch early spring• Caterpillars feed for 7
weeks – about 1 square meter of foliage
• Pupal stage 9-17 days• Adult moths in July-
August
Awww!Image Courtesy: dnr.wi.gov/forestry/fh/gm/
Kill it, kill it!!
Purpose of Communication Plan
To provide details on the communications activities that will be undertaken to support Conservation Halton’s Gypsy Moth aerial spraying program.
Communication Plan• Background• Situation Analysis• Objectives• Audience/Key Stakeholders• Key Messages• Strategy and Tactics
Background• INTRODUCING – The pest• Origins in North America• Life cycle, preferred hosts, etc.• Why are WE concerned – survey
results
Situation Analysis• Six locations • 612 hectare• All rural, no private property• Aerial spray• Biological control agent – Btk
Objectives• Educate residents on GM infestation• Minimize public concerns over the use of
aerial spraying• Information and advice for homeowners• Threats to urban forests• To position Conservation Halton as a
proactive watershed management agency concerned about the quality of life
Audience/ Key Stakeholders• Watershed residents – Burlington,
Oakville, Mississauga, Milton, Hamilton, Halton Hills
• Neighbours (landowners) adjacent to spray areas
• Halton Region• Media• Courtesy contact list stakeholders
Stakeholders• Public• Municipal:
– Mayor & Council– Senior Management– Forestry Park & Rec.– Police &Fire– Emergency Medical
Services– Traffic and Public
Works– Purchasing/Material
Mgmt.– Legal– Risk/Insurance – Communications
• MTO• MOE• MOH• OPP• OMNR• Conservation
Authorities• Transport Canada• RCMP/CSIS• CFIA• Applicator
Key Messages• Population has reached a critical level. • If left unchecked the infestation will lead
to tree defoliation and the loss of trees.• CH has hired an experienced forestry
management consultant• Tree loss will occur regardless• The aerial spraying is the best solution –
Control, not eradications• Committed to keeping you informed.• Let’s fight Gypsy Moths together. – What
you can do. • Stay informed about Gypsy Moths and how
we are saving trees by visiting our website.
Strategy and Tactics• Website• Internal and partner communications• Hotline• Printed Information• Public Information Meetings• Advertising• Evaluation
Strategy & Tactics• Website
– www.conservationhalton.on.ca– Background on GM and GM infestation– FAQs– Control methods– General information for residents– Timeline for spraying and program
milestones– Maps– Regular Updates – Media Release– Open House sessions– Courtesy Contact list subscriptions– Health Fact Sheet– Links to other partners
• Internal and partner communication– Q & A sheets for staff– Updates to CH Board– Communications meetings with
partners – print materials, road closures, open houses, print ads, etc.
Strategy & Tactics
• Hotline– Up to date spray times– Voice mailbox for contact list
• Print Information– Gypsy Moth Control booklet – general info
and tips for property owners– Gypsy Moth Aerial Spray Mailer
• Door to door delivery by forestry staff• Aerial spraying will occur• Public info meetings• Hotline and website for up to date times
– Signage• Trail closure• Road closure
Strategy & Tactics
• Public Information Meeting– 8 meetings held– All in collaboration with municipal
partners to ensure similar meeting format, content and timing
– Attendance ranged from 3-35– Presentations by forestry staff and
Bioforest consultants
Strategy & Tactics
• Advertising– Local newspapers– Open House adverts– Road closure details
Strategy & Tactics
• Media Relations– Announce GM web page– Details on Public Information Meetings– Spraying timelines and road closures– Post spray media release– GM identification and homeowner
control options workshop with CHCH TV and Cogeco
Strategy & Tactics
• Evaluation– Website hits– Inquiries– Attendance at open houses– Media monitoring
Strategy & Tactics
Jargon free messaging
Do not ignore the science
Environment, human health, economic impact
A voracious pest numbering in the millions has invaded Halton. This pest will strip forests of 100% vegetation – Trees Will Die!You may hear them munching at night Enough pest poop to require snow plows in May
RESIDENTSOur surveys show:
A low flying aircraft will be spraying a musty smelling pink liquid pesticide designed to dissolve insect guts (mostly natural). All roads leading in and out of infested areas will be CLOSED. There is absolutely no cause for panic - The Government (Two of three layers)
But, we are rectifying the situation!
The InsecticideBiological insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk):
Naturally occurring bacteriaHarmless to fish, birds, mammals and most non-target insectsApproved by PMRA, EPA, WHO, OPACBiodegradableMust be ingested – delayed mortality
Gypsy Moth Distribution in Canada: CFIA Quarantine Zones 2005
Gypsy Moth in Canada
Gypsy Moth: History of Defoliation in Ontario
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
Mod
erat
e to
sev
ere
defo
liatio
n (h
a)
Good decisions are based on good information!
Delineate the outbreakAssess egg mass densitiesAssess egg mass sizeAssess egg mass distributionNew/old egg mass ratioPathogen statusManagement optionsManagement constraintsAvailable resources
Aerial Spraying & Intervention Thresholds
• Nuisance abatement• Foliage protection• Prevention of tree mortality• Urban vs. natural forest
0102030405060708090
100
25 125 250 1250 2500 5000 12000 18500 25000
Egg masses per ha
Def
olia
tion
%
Aerial Spray
First application at larval hatch (May 15?)
What's in Bt?Mostly water (about 75%)About 3% BtInerts are added to maintain product quality and microbial purity:
All are food grade materials (EPA List 4)E.g. Alfalfa, acetic acid, beer, bread crumbs, decanol, glycerin, lactose…
Btk: Effects on Other Insects
• Not all Leps. susceptible (e.g. Monarchs);• Btk short-lived on foliage – minimal
exposure;• Not all insects have alkaline gut required to
release Btk toxins;• Not toxic to honeybees;• Aquatic insects not affected at field doses;• Parasitoid effects can be enhanced –
prolonged larval period.
Has Bt been sprayed over residential areas before?
Gypsy moth programs in USA and CanadaVictoria B.C. 1999
Ministry of Environment 1999Auckland N.Z. 1998 (up to 32 appl.)
Ministry of Ag and Forestry 2001Waskesiu, Prince Albert National Park, 2003-2005Village of Candle lake, Saskatchewan – 2003 + 2004Mississauga, 2006Mississauga & Toronto, 2007
Factors influencing spray effectiveness:
Pest population densityInsecticide, dose and applicationsAircraft and navigationWeather (oC, RH, wind) Block sizeInsect and host development
What can you expect for results?
Greener treesFewer caterpillarsFewer egg massesSome gypsy moth will surviveSome defoliation will occurSome trees will die.
Management Options: IPM• Do nothing• Maintain or enhance tree
health• Destroy Egg masses• Barrier bands• Burlap skirts• Homeowner sprays• Property maintenance• Aerial spraying
The “Do Nothing”option
Impacts: Environment• Reduced tree vigor;• Tree crown dieback and mortality;• Damage to other trees (bark);• Increased water fluctuations;• +ve and –ve impacts on wildlife• Increased stream temperatures and reduced water
quality; • Reduced shade, dry soils;• Effects on air quality, sound reduction, heat sink effects
etc.;• Aesthetics;• Increased pesticide contamination (uncontrolled).
Impacts: Human Health• Allergic reactions to hairs, wing scales;• Rashes and skin irritations;• Respiratory tract irritations;• Eye irritations;• Psychological reactions;• Slippery sidewalks and roadways;• Hazard trees – dead branches and trees;• Increased exposure to pesticides.
Impacts: Economic
• Costs to homeowners:– Pesticide treatments;– Cleanup of insect body parts;– Egg mass removal;– Pruning dead branches;– Dead tree removal and replacement– Liability for damage to property and
personal injury.
Impacts: Economic
• Costs to the Municipality:– Increased tree inspections;– Tree pruning and maintenance; – Tree removal and replacement;– Reduced use of damaged parklands and
recreational facilities;– Liability for damage to property and
personal injury;– Tourism.
Homeowner Options