OAKLAND COUNTY, MI. – The Oakland County Board of Commissioners is inviting municipalities to participate in training sessions as part of its Moth Suppression Program. Administered by Michigan State University Extension, the program will provide grants to cities, villages and townships to support their efforts in mitigating the impacts of Lymantria dispar, an invasive moth species. Municipalities that wish to apply for the funds must first be trained in surveying.

The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved $250,000 for Oakland County Lymantria dispar mitigation during the 2021 fiscal year budgeting process. Municipalities that apply for the program will be required to share costs. Funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and municipalities are required to participate in training before applying for the grants.

Two trainings for municipal staff on egg mass surveying using Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development protocols and procedures will be hosted on February 9 at The Hawk in Farmington Hills, 29995 W. 12 Mile Rd, Room 391. Sessions will be hosted at 8:45 a.m. and 1 p.m, and those interested need only to attend one training.

The four-hour training sessions include both classroom and field activities. Two to three staff members from each municipality that wishes to participate must attend a training session. Those staff will then survey their community based on residential interest and known areas of infestation. To register for training, visit bit.ly/FebMothSrv22.

Additional training sessions were hosted last November. Municipalities that had previously participated do not need to attend another session.

Surveys for egg masses are traditionally completed in late fall. Homeowners who believe they have Lymantria dispar egg masses on their property can contact the Oakland MSU Extension office at 248- 858-0887 and request to be included in the fall survey.

For more information about the Board of Commissioners, please visit www.oakgov.com/boc or call 248- 858-0100.