In August 2008, a dangerous pest, the nonnative, invasive Asian longhorned beetle, was discovered in Worcester County, Massachusetts. To contain the infestation, Worcester County was put under quarantine and whole neighborhoods were clear-cut in a matter of weeks, devastating citizens and the urban ecosystem. The Worcester Tree Initiative (WTI), a non-profit organization aided the City of Worcester in reforestation efforts by providing 30,000 free trees. As the need for reforestation slowed, WTI partnered with Tower Hill Botanic Garden, becoming the Garden’s outreach arm and strengthening the Garden’s mission of improving lives through meaningful connections to the natural world.

Presenter: 

G. Elton and R. Seward, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston, Massachusetts