Spotted Lanternfly Comes to Worcester

Spotted lanternfly is now established in Worcester, and the number of nymphs being reported suggests this will become an increasingly visible issue. This presentation will examine what communities that faced the infestation earlier did well, what they learned the hard way, and how Worcester can respond more effectively. We will also discuss practical steps residents, property owners, organizations, and public agencies can take. Led by Joe Johnson. Joe Johnson is a Volunteer in Parks with the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and serves on Worcester’s Urban Forestry Tree Commission. He is a board member of Park Spirit of Worcester and created the Facebook page Ecologically Hazardous Invasive Plants and Insects. Joe conducts volunteer fieldwork with local businesses, schools, and other organizations that want to participate in meaningful educational experiences involving ecological restoration. His work connects field observations, invasive-species management, public education, and practical community action. He was recognized as a Champion of the Blackstone in 2025. Title Image Credit: Adult Lanternfly, Brian Henderson/Flickr Creative Commons, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0, https://www.fws.gov/media/adult-lanternfly