Ray,
I have heard some people who have not seen the crate, nor read the instructions, are concerned about the transportation of invasive species. Bringing wood across state lines can be against the law in some states and is not encouraged at all in others.
What do we do about bringing wood for our Centennial Crates into the state?
YIS,
Rod
Dear Rod,
Thank you for passing this concern along. Keeping any invasive species out of Michigan and the campus of Michigan State University is the shared goal of all!
We continue encouraging all lodges to follow the applicable state and local laws regarding transporting wood across state lines and have specifically indicated no transportation of ash or pine, as the original directions on the Centennial lid show in the picture below.
Let me suggest that you use this as a great moment to teach the kids about environmentalism, invasive species, and protection of natural resources, and challenge them to come up with ways to meet the challenge of the Centennial Legacy Project without creating an environmental risk.
We would encourage lodges to devise safe, environmentally sound and fun ways for youth to be involved. Here are several suggestions:
- As the label on the crate details: no ash or pine! We are very concerned not to spread the habitat of the Western Pine Borer or the Emerald Ash Borer bugs!
- Ask your youth to carve a dry stick themselves to add to your crate, so every home helps our Centennial Celebration burn more brightly.
- Sit down with your Arrowmen, teach them about invasive species, and the legitimate environmental threat they pose, explain to them about the devastation of the Emerald Ash Borer and the Western Pine Borer and ask THEM to brainstorm ways to participate fully in the program without creating any risk to the environs of MSU.
- Have your Arrowmen chat with your camp ranger to identify an abandoned picnic table, camp house door, or lodge fence which is free of insect infestation which might be chopped up to have your camp represented at the ceremonies. Recycling/reusing wood is good!
- In areas of the country that have especially strict rules, please think “kiln dried” wood. We have included a picture of some examples to get the ideas flowing.
Click here for a picture of sample ideas of wood to put into your crate
Finally, we are looking for safe, fun and meaningful ways that “united, we (will) leave an (environmentally sound) legacy”! Remember, KILN DRIED WOOD is what is acceptable that follows the guidelines above.
Let me know what they come up with and thank you for your support!
Ray