Are you concerned about the invasive mile-a-minute weed discovered in Maine or looking to learn how to tackle browntail moths? In partnership with the Maine Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Council, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is hosting a free community forum on Oct. 18, 5-6:30 p.m. to help answer your common-to-emerging pest concerns.

In support of both healthy gardens and the health of Maine's landscape and ecology, integrated pest management (IPM) is an environmentally sound approach to managing pests in gardens, farms, and forests.

This free forum will feature five multi-disciplinary panelists who will share introductory insight, discuss practices, share resources available to Mainers, and feature recent studies and discoveries related to sustainable pest management. Come with your questions!

Those interested in attending should register online at shop.mainegardens.org or by calling 207-633-8000.

Expert panelists include:

Gary Fish, Maine State Horticulturist at Maine Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

David Handley, University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Paul Sweetland, Maine Blueberry Service

Caleb Goossen, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association

Marilyn Meyerhans, The Apple Farm

Moderator: Hillary Peterson, Maine Dept. Of Agriculture 

At nearly 325 acres, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is the largest public garden in New England. The nationally recognized public garden features two miles of hiking trails, 58 acres of cultivated gardens, a children’s garden, a sensory garden, and so much more. The mission of the Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections among people, plants, and nature through horticulture, education, and research. To learn more, visit MaineGardens.org.