News Release

Evening on the Summit: Insect Invaders: The Battle to Save our Park's Native Forests

Invasive emerald ash borer poking its head out from a hole in an ash tree

D. Meyerhoeffer, Shenandoah National Park

News Release Date: August 12, 2023

Contact: Elizabeth Shope, 814-449-4125

Our next Evening on the Summit is Saturday, August 19 at 8:00 pm in the amphitheater. This free presentation, Insect Invaders: The Battle to Save our Park's Native Forests, is presented by Margaret Speicher. 

Invasive insects are changing the face of forests in the National Parks of the Northeast United States. Over the last few decades, invasives pests such as emerald ash borer, spongy moth, hemlock wooly adelgid, and our most recent invader, spotted lanternfly, just to name a few, have infested our forested lands and decimated native tree populations. Infestations have caused the elimination of large canopy trees such as our native ash, oak, maples, and hemlock species. Program attendees will learn more about these insects, their effect on our forests, and how the National Park Service is responding to this complex challenge.

Our Evening on the Summit programs are free of charge and no reservations are required! In the event of rain, the program will be held in the Visitor Center theater.