‘ADOPT AN ASH’ PROGRAM BUOYED BY LOCAL SUPPORT, BUT MORE HELP NEEDED 

EVANSVILLE, IN — The Evansville ‘Adopt An Ash’ Program is delighted to acknowledge some significant donations to their cause but still needs additional help from the community. The Program will be holding a Press Event on Friday, October 7th, 2022 at 10 a.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery (1400 E. Virginia Street, Evansville, IN 47711) to help raise awareness of the Program and allow local media to witness the treatment of one of the trees in the cemetery. 

Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) is a non-native, invasive insect, first discovered in Michigan in 2002. Since its arrival, it has destroyed hundreds of millions of ash trees and cost billions of dollars in management. The insect is currently infesting trees in the Evansville area and, with 100% mortality in untreated trees, local awareness is a must. 

“We appreciate the recent donations and support of the program, but the public’s help is still needed in the fight against Emerald Ash Borer. We need folks to educate themselves about what to look for and to contact us with questions so we can ensure that Ash Trees are treated in order to stand a chance at survival.” – Chris Cooke, the City of Evansville – Superintendent of Cemeteries 

The Program is also holding its annual Twilight Tour at Oak Hill Cemetery on Saturday, October 15th at 5 p.m. The tour is a walking tour through the cemetery where live reenactors will tell you about different people who once called Evansville home. Tickets are $15 each and are available for purchase at the event or online via www.vchshistory.org. 

The locally-produced Emerald Ash Borer documentary Ashes To Ashes’ (produced in conjunction with the Adopt An Ash Program) about the insect and its impact both locally and nationally is also currently streaming at http://ashestoashesfilm.com. 

About ‘Adopt An Ash’ 

‘Adopt An Ash’ is a program operated by the Evansville Parks Foundation (in conjunction with TruGreen and the City of Evansville) with the aim of saving Ash trees in Evansville Public Parks and Cemeteries and raising awareness of and promoting opportunities for community engagement in the fight against Emerald Ash Borer.