That little ole Emerald Ash Borer has now found its way into the City of Ames. The invasive beetle had previously been spotted in Story County, but was just recently spied for the first time in the city.

Ames has been working on trying to keep the bug at bay since approving an EAB Response Plan in 2014. There are more than 2,300 public ash trees in the public right-of-way, maintained park areas (including along paved trails), and at City-owned facilities. Ash trees represent 16 percent of all public trees in Ames, which is higher than the 10 percent recommended for optimum diversity. The City has established a 20-year tree removal and replacement strategy in response to concerns with ash trees.