In today’s Leader-Post there’s an editorial that takes a poke at the province for its decision a couple of years ago to slash funding provided to dozens of Saskatchewan communities to monitor the spread of Dutch Elm disease. Prior to the cut, the province provided $500,000 to local authorities to inspect and remove infected trees. Now, there’s only $100,000 available for “buffer zone” monitoring around six communities.
Not suprisingly, there’s been an upsurge in the disease, with the Qu’Appelle River Valley being particularly hard hit. Regina has its own Dutch Elm disease program, but without proper controls in outlying communities the city is pretty much fighting a losing battle to preserve its urban forest.
Read more here.
