Issue 17, September 24, 2012

Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Plan to Attend the (1st Annual) Illinois First Detector Tree Pest Training Program

10. This program was planned by a special committee: Stephanie Porter, U of I Plant Clinic Diagnostician and Outreach Coordinator, Kelly Estes, U of I Agricultural Pest Survey Coordinator, Travis Cleveland, U of I Extension Specialist in PSEP, Jay Hayek, U of I Extension Specialist in Forestry, David Shiley, U of I Extension Educator, Andi Dierich, Morton Arboretum Forest Pest Outreach & Survey Project, Emily Hanson, SIU Urban and Community Forester, and Jean Burridge, U of I Plant Clinic Staff and Certified Arborist.

9. Our Objective: To establish a first detector training program in Illinois focusing on tree pests. These courses will provide in depth training sessions on current and emerging pathogens and insects affecting Illinois trees.

8. Projected Outcome:

  1. Improve first detector training and invasive species awareness
  2. Reduce potential risks from pathogens and pests
  3. Increase rapid and affordable plant diagnostic support to local, state, and national agriculture and green industry programs and to end-users

7. The focus of the program in 2013 will be Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), Thousand Canker Disease (TCD), and Invasive Plant Species (specific to area of training)! Activities will also be held to aid in the identification of Ash, Walnut, and Invasive Species.

Course Elements for EAB, TCD, and Invasive Plant Species:

  • Identification /detection
  • Life cycle/biology
  • Hosts
  • Sampling
  • Management
  • Commonly confuses look-a-likes
  • Regulation


"D-shaped" EAB hole -- Picture taken by Jean Burridge


TCD Distribution and Quarantines

6. This Illinois First Detector Tree Program will be held at five locations across Illinois:

  • Springfield, U of I Extension conference room, February 12th, 2013, (9 am - 3pm)
  • Quad Cities, Black Hawk Historical Site, Facilities Rental, February 26th, 2013, (9 am - 3pm)
  • Mt. Vernon, U of I Extension conference room, March 7th, 2013, (9 am - 3pm)
  • Collinsville, U of I Extension conference room, March 14th, 2013, (9 am - 3pm)
  • Champaign, U of I Extension conference room, March 21st, 2013, (9 am - 3pm)

5. A low Registration cost of $25 per person, with lunch provided! This fee will help cover the program costs as well as provide funding to continue this program on an annual basis! Registration is not open at this time, but will be held at the host U of I Extension office.

4. Target Audience: Certified Arborists, Tree Care Professionals, Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, Forestry and Natural Resource Professionals, Conservationists, and many more!) CEU's will be available!

3. Additional online training modules will be available to program participants prior to training. These will help to cover topics that will not be covered during the one day program. Participants can complete these on their own time, if they choose.

2. Each participant will receive a binder full of EAB, TCD, and Invasive Plant information! A special feature will be key tree drawings (provided by Jean Burridge) to aid in the identification of Ash, Walnut, and Invasive Plant Species!


Artist: Jean Burridge

1. YOU WILL BECOME A CERTIFIED ILLINOIS FIRST DETECTOR!

(Stephanie Porter and Kelly Estes)

Authors:
Stephanie Porter
Kelly Estes

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