The inaugural Suffolk County Southern Pine Beetle Symposium will take place on Wednesday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to noon at Suffolk County Community College’s Eastern campus, located at 121 Speonk-Riverhead Road in Riverhead. The event will be held in the Montaukett Learning Resource Center (MLRC), Room 107/108.
The symposium’s timing is especially relevant, given the recent fires in Suffolk County, as well as ongoing wildfire concerns in other parts of the country, such as California and South Carolina. The event also comes just before the 30th anniversary of the devastating Sunrise Wildfire of 1995, which destroyed thousands of acres in the Pine Barrens and caused significant damage to homes and businesses.
“The infestation of the Southern Pine Beetle not only has environmental implications but poses a significant public safety threat to both the Pine Barrens and the surrounding communities, as we saw just a couple of weeks ago,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, who will be the event’s keynote speaker.
The symposium will offer important information on topics related to the Southern Pine Beetle, including public safety, fire prevention and mitigation, forest management, beetle biology, and homeowner education.
Other scheduled participants include:
- The Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services
- Suffolk County Parks
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- Brookhaven National Laboratory
- The Central Pine Barrens Commission
- Seatuck Environmental Association.
“In the aftermath of last month’s brush fire and ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Sunrise Wildfire, we are taking proactive steps to educate our communities on how to stay informed and prepared for this summer’s fire season,” Romaine added.
The symposium is open to all residents at no cost. For more information, visit suffolkcountyny.gov.