gypsy moth control communications · pdf filegypsy moth control communications strategy. ......

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

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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