FOREST PEST OUTREACH AND SURVEY PROJECT An Outreach

FOREST PEST OUTREACH AND SURVEY PROJECT An Outreach Success Story…. Patty Douglass SPHD-CT/MA/RI December 1, 2010

Forest Pest Outreach & Survey Project 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Background Goals & Approaches Who’s involved Messages Cool Tools Results Challenges/Opportunities Lessons Learned

FPOSP Background Friday, August 1, 2008 5: 30 pm Worcester, MA Saturday, August 2, 2008 noon

FPOSP Background Late September ‘ 08 New England & NY meet Cooperative Venture between Fed & States What can we do? Subcommittees Project Chairpersons designated Project designed Funding obtained First year May-December 2009

FPOSP Background First year (May-Dec ‘ 09) nine states: ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA Funding at $75 K/state Second year (~May ‘ 10 – Apr ‘ 11) eleven states: added OH and IL; Funding at $75 K/state except NY at $150 K Third year? Submitted 10201 Farm Bill Suggestions for all states above plus MN, KY, NC, IN and minus PA. Funding at $37, 500/state except NY at $75 K

FPOSP – Goals & Approaches Education Train the Trainer Sessions Visual Survey of High Risk Communities Governor’s Proclamations Intense media coverage Promote “Lurking in the Trees” documentary

FPOSP – Goals & Approaches Campground & Second Home Surveys Getting volunteers to survey and report results on www. beetledetectives. com Monthly FPOSP Conference Calls Conduct an annual program review

FPOSP – Who is involved? State DOA’s, Morton Arboretum, Experiment Station, state forestry, USFS, PPQ, CAPS Committees Farmers markets, garden clubs, libraries, master gardeners, TNC, public access stations, wildlife organizations, loggers, state/local fairs, towns & cities, nurseries, landscapers, beekeepers, maple syrup industries, Native American Tribes, forestry organizations, parks, museums, firewood dealers, public works and utility companies, land trusts, rotary clubs, invasive species partnerships, Boy/Girl Scouts …. .

FPOSP - Messages Protect Our Trees! Serious Forest Pests are damaging our forests! Know what pests to look for; signs/symptoms Know where and how to report suspicious infestations in your state. Detect early to minimize impact! Don’t let this happen to your community – NY, NJ, IL and MA ALB infestations! DON’T MOVE FIREWOOD!!!

FPOSP – Cool Tools

FPOSP – Cool Tools

FPOSP – Cool Tools

FPOSP – Cool Tools K. Dugas, CAES, CT

FPOSP – Cool Tools

FPOSP – Cool Tools Cooperators developed Presentations and shared with others Brochures, pamphlets, buttons, bags, posters T-shirts, hats, bumper stickers Water bottles, paper/pen pads Post cards, wallet cards, cootie catchers Costumes

FPOSP – Cool Tools

FPOSP – Cool Tools

FPOSP – Cool Tools

FPOSP – Cool Tools

FPOSP – Cool Tools

FPOSP – Cool Tools Billboard on NY State Highways

FPOSP – Cool Tools Another Billboard on NY State Highways

FPOSP – Results Volunteers Trained

FPOSP – Results Events & People

FPOSP Challenges/Opportunities Keeping volunteers motivated Getting volunteers to see the bigger picture and how they contribute to healthy forests How to measure behavioral changes in the public How to measure success Creating new opportunities/change Reaching out to state project coordinators and providing feedback Funding

FPOSP – Lessons Learned Expanding time of year for visual survey Have your agreements run for 12 months Keep volunteers motivated Need to come up with fresh ideas Grab whatever press you can get Community reporters often more effective Nurture relationships with “regular Joe’s” Believe in what you’re doing!

FPOSP - Summary Project arose from field concern! States WANT to be involved because they see early detection as extremely important. Lots of opportunity for creativity in delivering messages. Found the humor and had fun doing many of the activities.

Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless. Sherry Anderson