Oak wilt has been found at Niagara College’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The presence of the invasive fungus was confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
On July 10, CFIA announced Niagara-on-the-Lake as the location of its third confirmed case of oak wilt in Canada (view the CFIA’s anouncement here) and a statement was also posted by the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Niagara College has been working with the CFIA and is committed to following current and future directives from the CFIA and to working on a management plan in collaboration with its on- and off-campus stakeholders.
NC’s School of Environment and Horticulture is leading NC’s efforts on a management plan, in close coordination with other areas of the College including NC’s Office of Sustainability.
The movement of oak to and from campus has been restricted until further notice and impacted staff have been advised that all tree materials – including leaves, twigs and branches – in the area identified by the CFIA must remain untouched.
As a steward of the environment and protecting the campus ecosystem from invasive species, NC’s School of Environment and Horticulture plans to address the impacts of climate change as a contributing factor in the spread of oak wilt with students, faculty and staff leading the way. The School has reached out to faculty members for their valued expertise as it explores ways to create new applied learning opportunities for students through the College’s oak wilt management response.
Oak wilt is a disease caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum and poses a significant threat to Canada’s trees and forests. While it is a slow-moving disease, if it becomes established, it could have a major impact on Canada’s natural resources and forest industries.
Oak wilt is spread naturally through root grafts or beetles carrying fungal spores. Humans can also spread the fungus through the movement of infected wood.
Oak wilt does not affect the health of humans or animals.
For updates or more information about oak wilt, please visit inspection.canada.ca/.
