Community News

Join the Pledge to Protect and learn how your firewood choices make a difference.

As autumn settles over the Northeast, the season invites us to embrace the outdoors—whether it's a weekend camping trip, a cozy evening by the fire, or a peaceful nature retreat. With vibrant foliage and crisp air, it’s the perfect time to reconnect with the backcountry. But before you pack your gear and firewood, there’s a simple way you can help protect the places you love.

The St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (SLELO PRISM) is encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to make thoughtful choices about firewood to help safeguard our forests and campsites. Certain invasive insects—like the emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetles, and spotted lanternfly—can hide inside firewood and easily spread to new areas, impacting tree health and local ecosystems. Fortunately, preventing their spread is easy. SLELO PRISM recommends these simple steps for your next campfire:

• Buy firewood where you burn it: New York State prohibits moving firewood more than 50 miles from its origin to reduce pest movement.
• Choose certified, heat-treated wood: Look for firewood treated at 160°F (71°C) for 75 minutes to ensure it’s pest-free.
• Gather responsibly on-site: When allowed, collect only dead and downed wood smaller than your wrist, and always check local guidelines.

“These small actions make a big impact,” says Megan Pistolese-Shaw, the SLELO PRISM Education and Outreach Coordinator. “By choosing local or treated firewood, you’re helping preserve the natural beauty and health of our forests for seasons to come.”

To celebrate October as Firewood Month, The Nature Conservancy’s Don’t Move Firewood Campaign is hosting free webinars on October 16th, 28th, and 29th. These sessions offer helpful insights into how recreational firewood can be a pathway for invasive species—and what you can do to help. Visit sleloinvasives.org/events to register.

Want to stay involved year-round? Join SLELO PRISM’s Pledge to Protect initiative at iPledgeToProtect.org and become part of a growing community committed to keeping our natural spaces thriving.