Ticks give me the icks! If you too are wary of these teensy arachnids and concerned about contracting Lyme disease, then this is the online event for you. Our goal is to keep you safe on the trails by preparing you with tips and turning fear into knowledge. With the right anti-tick strategy, you can travel through our open spaces with a bit more comfort and ease.
Did you know that nearly half a million people are diagnosed with Lyme disease annually? Caused by the bacteria Borrelia borgdorferi, this infectious disease is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected Western Black-legged Tick (Ixodes pacificus). If these statistics make you a little panicky, we’ve got you covered. You’ll learn:
- What ticks look like and how to perform a tick check
- How to prevent and identify a tick bite
- What to do if bitten
- And more!
Join us and Jo Ellis, Director of Education, with the Bay Area Lyme Foundation for an online event that will dive into the science and tips to keep you safe from Ticks and Lyme disease on your next outdoor adventure. This online event will be interactive and provide the audience with many opportunities to have all questions you’re itching to ask to get answered by Jo. We hope this event will keep you informed and safe so you can continue to explore more open spaces.
If you want safety tips now before the event to hold you over, check out our past blog: How to How To Not Be Eaten Alive by Ticks.
About the Speaker
Originally from the UK, Jo grew up on the edge of the Peak District National Park and spent most of her childhood in and around nature and animals. Her entire career has focused on education – either in schools as a teacher or administrator, or working in organizations like the BBC and Stanford University where education is their business. Jo loves California’s wild landscapes and raised her children hiking, camping, kayaking, and exploring at every opportunity. Retired from the classroom, Jo now works for Bay Area Lyme Foundation and helps get the word out about tick-borne diseases through education, writing blogs and articles, and supporting the organization’s Lyme Disease Biobank program. In her spare time, Jo loves hiking in local Bay Area parks or heading north to Redding to fish or horseback ride with friends.
This event is part of POST’s community event series, which is open to the general public as well as POST donors. We hope you’ll join us! We also curate a separate series of private events for our donors. Learn how you can support POST here: openspacetrust.org/support-post
