Sea Grant invasive species expert Sam Chan talks to Blue Earth Wire about his recent work trying to inform Oregonians about how imported firewood can harbor invasive, tree-killing pests:
Chan has been working with the Oregon Invasive Species Council to pass legislation that will ban the commercial import of untreated firewood into Oregon from other states and countries beginning in 2013. Their study of campground education campaigns showed that when campers learned what might be lurking in their firewood, many changed their buying habits and sought out local firewood sources.
More on this research and education campaign: “Buy it where you burn it,” from the Vancouver Columbian