HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – A new, quarterly vodcast, Sustaining the Mission: Exploring Hanscom’s Environmental Story, highlights how Team Hanscom is addressing environmental issues and concerns here.
The vodcast, hosted by Scott Sheehan, 66th Civil Engineering Division natural resources manager, can be viewed on the Team Hanscom YouTube channel.
“I enjoy listening to the Science Friday talk show on public radio,” said Sheehan. “And I thought it might be interesting if we did something like that focusing on Hanscom?”
The first episode features a discussion with Elizabeth Barnes, a forest pest outreach coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. Barnes and Sheehan talk about the highly invasive spotted lanternfly and its impact on Massachusetts.
“The major concern isn't just the fact that it's an invasive species that causes trouble,” said Barnes. “It can have a real harmful effect on the ecosystem and our agriculture.”
The spotted lanternfly originated from Asia and was first discovered in the U.S. in 2014. Experts say the method in which the insects feed weakens plants and make them more susceptible to disease and other pests.
The spotted lantern fly has caused millions of dollars in damages to grape-growing businesses, plant nurseries, and the agrotourism industry.
“What Massachusetts is doing right now is working to try and slow down the spread of these insects by knocking down their population numbers,” said Barnes. “And we’re raising awareness about how they can be accidentally transported to new areas and encouraging people to report sightings.”
The spotted lanternfly likely arrived in Massachusetts through the movement of infested materials like plants and firewood, or by “hitchhiking” on shipping containers, vehicles, trains and other means of transportation.
The invasive insect could potentially threaten mission operations hereby causing delays in the shipment of goods and the deployment of personnel. Trucks and planes carrying cargo, supplies, or household goods would require a thorough inspection and possibly decontamination.
According to Sheehan, Hanscom AFB is establishing a working group to identify risk areas and raise public awareness.
The next vodcast will be released in June. Sheehan said potential topics for the next episode include the history of base facilities with ties to environmental efforts, and a discussion of archaeological sites associated with Hanscom AFB.