MEDIA ALERT

Event Date: Sunday, August 6, 2006

Today's Date: Friday, August 04, 2006

EMERALD ASH BORER – RESPONSE TO GOVERNOR'S SUNDAY ACTION

The Morton Arboretum Comments On Gov. Blagojevich's EAB Plan

WHAT: The Morton Arboretum provides expert and local response and reaction to the

governor's announcement, which is embargoed until Sunday, on a plan to

fight the infestation of EAB. (See additional details on his plan below)

WHO: Edith Makra of the Arboretum, who organized and led the EAB Readiness

Team of state, federal and local officials, and private industry representatives.

WHEN: Sunday, August 6, 2006. Call to schedule an interview – see contact

information below.

WHERE: Call to set a location – see contact information below. B-Roll opportunities

available at the Arboretum.

WHY: The Morton Arboretum, a world-renowned tree-research institution, offers a

local perspective on the impact and effects of the Governor's plan. Also,

reporters can receive an update on the latest EAB-related activities.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with

collections of more than 3,700 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the

world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education

programs, and year-round family activities support its mission – the planting and

conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world.

Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a

week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (CDT) and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CST). The

Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT) and 9:30 to 4 p.m. (CST). Visit

www.mortonarb.org or call 630/968-0074 to learn more.

Media Contacts: Gina Tedesco, Cell: 630-803-6333

Office: 630-725-2103, gtedesco@mortonarb.org

The following, excerpted from Gov. Blagojevich's press release, is STRICTLY

EMBARGOED UNTIL AUGUST 6.

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced a plan of action to help

control emerald ash borer (EAB) in Illinois. The plan will utilize a $7.6 million

commitment from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), earmarked for

Illinois and Wisconsin to fight the destructive insect. The Governor has also created a

management and science advisory team charged with providing advice to the Illinois

Department of Agriculture on EAB surveys, regulatory action, control and removal as

well as outreach and education. The emerald ash borer is a small, metallic-green beetle

native to Asia that can invest and eventually kills Ash trees. Illinois is home to 130

million ash trees.

Federal funds will be used to hire additional staff, continue EAB survey in infested areas,

remove trees and conduct outreach and education. The advisory committee, comprised

of experts from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Department of Natural

Resources, USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA-Forest Service,

University of Illinois and the Morton Arboretum will refine action plans and guide control

and removal efforts as well as work with local communities battling the emerald ash

borer. This team is an extension of the EAB Readiness Team that has been preparing

for the emerald ash borer for the last two-and-a-half years.

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