Help Stop the Spread of Invasive Pests—Don’t Move Firewood
Every year, millions of trees across North America die—not from storms or drought, but from invasive insects and diseases. Many of these destructive pests hitch a ride on something unsuspecting: firewood.
That’s why The Nature Conservancy launched the Don’t Move Firewood campaign. This national initiative urges people to buy firewood where they burn it, not where they live. Because even though firewood looks harmless, it can carry tree-killing invaders like the emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, or sudden oak death.
The Problem Is in the Wood
When people transport firewood—especially across county or state lines—they can unknowingly move invasive pests into forests, parks, and neighborhoods. Once there, these insects and fungi can spread quickly, killing native trees and disrupting entire ecosystems.
Even worse, many of these pests have no natural predators in the areas they invade. That makes their damage faster and harder to contain.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, invasive species cause billions of dollars in damage every year. And still, the solution is simple.
The Solution Starts With You
Instead of bringing your own firewood from home or roadside vendors, the Don’t Move Firewood campaign urges campers and homeowners to purchase firewood locally or collect it on-site where allowed. This small change can make a huge difference in protecting forests nationwide.
The Nature Conservancy and its partners also work with state parks, forestry agencies, and campgrounds to raise awareness and stop the spread of wood-borne pests.
How to Take Action
Want to help? Here’s how:
- Buy or collect firewood within 10 miles of where you plan to burn it.
- Never take firewood across state lines.
- If you’ve already moved firewood, burn it completely—don’t leave it behind.
- Spread the word using social media or with “Don’t Move Firewood” flyers at your local park or campgrounds.
Why It Matters
Healthy forests clean our air, filter our water, and shelter wildlife. However, invasive pests can wipe out entire tree species in just a few years. So while it might seem small, choosing not to move firewood is a big step in protecting our natural landscapes.
Be part of the solution. Burn it where you buy it.
Sources:
- Don’t Move Firewood – The Nature Conservancy
- USDA Forest Service – Invasive Species
- National Invasive Species Council
We encourage you to learn more about the Don’t Move Firewood fight you can also visit their Facebook page or Twitter page.
