Local communities receive funding to fight Emerald Ash Borer

Several local communities will receive funding to help fight Emerald Ash Borer. 

Mankato, St. Peter, Waseca, and Lamberton are among 35 Minnesota cities awarded $2.4 million in total funding from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. 

“Minnesota’s cities and towns contain a significant number of ash trees, which are now at risk of attack by the emerald ash borer, a non-native insect,” said Emma Schultz, Minnesota DNR Community Forestry grant specialist. “This destructive beetle can kill ash trees in just a few years, and all ash trees in the state are at risk of infestation.”

The funding is intended for tree inventories, management plans, ash tree removal, tree treatments, plantings, and materials to plant new trees. Mankato was awarded $56,000; St. Peter $128,000, Waseca $78,000, and Lamberton $40,000.