The focus of this workshop is the spotted lanternfly, an invasive pest spreading in the northeastern United States, with populations as close to Canada as Buffalo, New York. Although not currently in Canada, if spotted lanternfly were to establish, it could have immense impacts on agricultural production and the natural environment within Ontario’s Greenbelt. Presented by the Invasive Species Centre with support from the Greenbelt Foundation, this workshop will provide training, key information and tools to prevent, identify and report spotted lanternfly.

This in-person workshop is free of cost and is taking place on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Advance registration is required at the link below. There are a limited number of registrations available, so be sure to secure your place as soon as possible!

Can’t attend the workshop? Try the Invasive Species Centre’s free online course, Spotted Lanternfly Training through our Invasive Species Training Program.

Participants will gain knowledge and understanding of the following:

• what makes a species invasive,
• the importance of the lands protected within the Greenbelt,
• the impacts of spotted lanternfly and the importance of prevention, early detection and rapid response,
• basic spotted lanternfly biology, life cycle, and pathways of spread,
• tips and tools to identify and report spotted lanternfly and its host plant, tree-of-heaven; and
• updates on current efforts and key government players in Ontario and Canada.

We encourage vineyard owners and staff, other horticulturalists, woodlot owners, arborists, government and conservation authority staff, gardeners, naturalists, students, and any interested members of the public to join us!

Attendance in full at this workshop is eligible for 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in Integrated Pest Management for Ontario Certified Crop Advisors. Approval is pending for eligibility of CEUs for the International Society of Arboriculture.