Warning! This is a long posting!
Vermont’s forests face a threat of unprecedented proportions. Two exotic invasive pests, the Emerald Ash Borer and Asian Longhorned beetle, have devastated forests in the mid-west and mid-Atlantic and have been found close to Vermont’s borders. Another exotic invasive insect, the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid is expanding within the state. While the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Vermont Department of Forests Parks and Recreation, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, the US Forest Service and UVM Extension are responsible for educatiing the public, coordinating detection activities, regulating the movement of infested material, recommending control strategies, providing financial incentives and technical assistance, and supporting research, ultimately it is up to local governments, businesses and private property owners to monitor and manage trees and pests in their own towns. Research shows that 80% of the costs of non-native forest insects are borne by municipal governments and homeowners (Aukema et al. 2011). The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation and Agency of Agriculture have established relationships and regular communication with other state and federal agencies, but we have identified a need to nurture local leaders to assist with outreach and education to residents and officials at the community level. We are seeking highly motivated volunteers to assist Vermont in preparing for and responding to the introduction of these invasive forest pests by serving as the local liaison.
Saturday, June 7th (rain date June 8th) 9:30am-5pm, Essex High School, Essex, VT. The goals of the training are to:
1. meet the Forest Pest Detectors Program staff and other FDs;
2. provide an overview of the program;
3. provide detailed information on HWA, EAB and ALB and other forest pests on the horizon;
4. provide tools and resources for diagnosing hosts, damage, and life stages for forest pests; and
5. provide local resources and volunteer opportunities.
BEFORE the training please:
1. We are asking for a year commitment with the hope that you’ll love this so much you just won’t want to stop. In general, we expect volunteers to spend on average 2 hours/month on First Detector activities but realize that some times of year are busier for people than others.
2. Fill out the online volunteer interest form and register for the training
This form is a way for Program staff to make sure that we have your correct contact information and allows us to understand your background and experience so we can direct training and support for you as a First Detector. To fill out the form visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-oaLMcbtJFyDRyZTHtnD4o3qdpaRn9OEbcyNk2mzG4s/viewform
3. Complete all 7 Online Training Modules and Quizzes (see attached document for access and instructions).
Before attending the in-person training we ask you to complete an online training, which provides background information on the First Detector program, impacts of EAB, ALB and HWA, pest biology, collecting and submitting samples, and available screening tools. The online training should take about 60 min. I've set you up with a username (mwiner) and password (f1rst.detector note the 1 instead of an i and period between first and detector.)
Your assistance with outreach, education, surveying efforts, and community preparedness is critical and we are all VERY GRATEFUL for your time! Thank you again on behalf of UVM Extension, VT Department of Forests and Parks, VT Department of Agriculture and USDA APHIS. Please email or call me at (802) 656-7746 with any questions.
Best,
Caitlin
Caitlin Cusack
Urban & Community Forestry Outreach Specialist
UVM Extension
655 Spear St.
Burlington, VT 05405
Phone (M, T, W, Th): (802) 656-7746
Cell: (802) 989-9616
Email: caitlin.cusack@uvm.edu
Feb 4, 2025, 6:30 to 8 PM
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AuditionsFeb 9, 2025, 6 to 9 PM