JAMESTOWN — The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, in collaboration with the Chautauqua County Forest Pest Task Force, is hosting an evening event aimed at educating municipal officials, private landowners, and interested citizens who want to learn more about invasive forest pests today.

This event will feature keynote speaker Mark Whitmore, an entomologist at Cornell University and a leading expert on the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid — an invasive insect that is devastating eastern hemlock stands around the nation. Also presenting is Emily Thiel, an invasive species specialist from the WNY Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management. Thiel will discuss various invasive forest pests, shrubs and plants, as well as the ways in which the organization can assist municipalities and private landowners in addressing invasive species, and what can be done to protect Chautauqua County’s forests from these threats. The event is free and open to the public, and will include complimentary refreshments for attendees in between speakers.

Opening remarks from County Executive George Borrello and representatives from the Chautauqua County Forest Pest Task Force and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute begin at 5 p.m.

At 5:15 p.m., Whitmore will discuss the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid.

At 6 p.m., there will be refreshments and networking and at 6:45 p.m.: Thiel will present on various invasive forest pests and their management.

Please contact Jonathan Townsend at 665-2473 ext 231 or jtownsend@rtpi.org for more information. The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History is located at 311 Curtis Street in Jamestown.