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Emerald ash borer hits Sleeping Bear Dunes

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

An invasive insect may wipe out the ash trees at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The emerald ash borer has infested up to 90 percent of the ash trees on the lakeshore's mainland in the northwestern Lower Peninsula. The first case was discovered in June and the tree-killing pest has spread quickly.

Lakeshore officials are considering their options to try to control the ash borer, but things look bleak.

Emerald ash borer is believed to have arrived from Asia in wooden packing material. Officials believe 80 percent of the infestations in Michigan are from people moving firewood, despite warnings against it.

Kyle Norris is from Michigan and spent ten years as a host and reporter with Michigan Radio, the state’s largest NPR-affiliate. He lives in Seattle and works as a substitute host and producer at KNKX.
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