Abstract
The movement of firewood is one mechanism whereby exotic invasive pests can be inadvertently moved to new areas.  The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) is one such invasive species that has become a major pest in Michigan and surrounding states.  New regulations to restrict the movement of firewood have been established to stop inadvertent movement of this beetle in firewood throughout the state.  There has been a significant educational campaign to inform the public about the emerald ash borer and the regulations relating to firewood movement.  By surveying members of the target audience, namely campground patrons, we can assess the effectiveness of this type of educational campaign.  We are conducting a survey of campground patrons in Michigan to determine what their level of awareness is regarding the movement of firewood and how they obtained their information. The data collected from this survey will be used to determine the effectiveness of the state and federal educational efforts and identify potential ways in which it may be improved.
How can the Movement of Infested Firewood be Stopped?
Janet L. Frederick and Andrew J. Storer
Michigan Technological University, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science,
 Houghton, MI 49931
The Emerald Ash Borer
•The adult is a metallic emerald green color.  It is about ½ inch long and 1/8 inch wide (Figure 1a).
•The adults emerge from May to July and leave “D” shaped exit holes in the bark of ash trees (Figure 1b).
•The larva tunnel under the bark resulting in tree death (Figure 1c & d).
•The larvae can complete their development in cut wood. This is also why they can be moved around in firewood (Figure 5).
•Emerald ash borer most likely arrived in the U.S. from Asia in solid wood packing material, such as crates.  
The Survey
The objectives of this survey are:
1)To determine if campground patrons have heard about emerald ash borer.
2)To determine if campground patrons know that it is illegal to move firewood.
3)To determine if campground patrons are moving firewood and how much they are moving.
This survey is being conducted at State campgrounds throughout Michigan.  Campground patrons are given the survey when they register for camping and asked return it by mail.  County of residence is recorded to determine where patrons are coming from, but no other personal information is taken.  The survey is anonymous because moving firewood is illegal and carries large fines and possible jail time. With the data collected from this survey we will be able to determine the effectiveness of the state and federal educational efforts and identify potential ways in which it may be improved.
Figure 5.  Stacks of firewood.
Impacts on Michigan
•Michigan has a sizable ash resource (Figure 2). As of 2005 it was estimated that the emerald ash borer has killed 8 to 10 million ash trees in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana (mostly in Michigan). 
•A large number of the trees have been killed in urban areas, reducing the aesthetics of many neighborhoods (Figure 6). 
•The southeastern counties of Michigan have been placed under quarantine along with with outlier populations (Figure 3).
•Eradication programs are underway in many of these outlier populations.
•Many of the outlier populations were established as a result of the movement of firewood from inside the quarantine counties.
•Some state parks with high visitation by people who live in the main quarantine area are also sites of outlier populations of emerald ash borer (Figure 3 and 4).
•Regulations prohibiting the movement of hardwood firewood have been created in many areas (Figure 7).
Figure 1.  a) Adult emerald ash borer, b) “D” shaped exit hole, c) early larva and tunnel and d) older larva and tunnel.  Photographs by Andrew J. Storer.
Figure 2.  Distribution of ash in Michigan.
Figure 3.   Ash quarantine zones in Michigan.
Figure 4.  Michigan State parks with high visitation rates from people who live in the main quarantine area.
Figure 7.  Flier made to inform the public about emerald ash borer and the risks of moving firewood.
Figure 6. Emerald ash borer signs and symptoms flier.
Living with Emerald Ash Borer:
a
b
d
c