Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Educating a broad-based, statewide clientele (over 10,000 public contacts) the IPM team continues to reach new audiences. Now in its 32nd year, the Alaska E-IPM Program is the most recognized, statewide education and outreach effort that successfully promotes the adoption of IPM principles and practices. IPM training and consultation was provided to ethnic minority groups at the Anchorage Refugee gardens project and the international Farmer's Market. These individuals produce for small market and for subsistence. IPM outreach was offered at Local Farmer’s Markets, Garden Fairs, and to Master Gardeners. Youth groups who received IPM training included Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Municipality of Anchorage, Youth Employment in Parks, public school elementary and middle-school students, and over 500 Anchorage School 6th graders at BLM Outdoor Week. The E-IPM Program supported statewide community forestry with staff efforts on the AK Community Forest Council and collaboration with the USFS-SPF Forest Health Protection. IPM promotes sustainable tree health, responsible pest management and community involvement. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? In collaboration with our partner organizations we provide E-IPM seasonal technicians with annual training regarding pest scouting/trapping and safety. Additionally, we provide monthly webinar opportunities on scouting, identification, and management of new and emerging pests. All E-IPM faculty and staff are encouraged to attend statewide conferences for additional professional development. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? 1. Webinars (Invasive Plant Issues) 2. Publications (Extension, Pest Notes, Invasive Plant Issues, Master Gardener Curriculum) 3. Statewide Conferences (Alaska SARE, Greenhouse, Nursery and Landscape, Invasive Species Conference, Pesticide Safety and Education Program Recertification Conference) 4. Alaska IPM and Alaska Master Gardener Facebook Pages 5. Face-to-face, phone, and email What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? This is the final report for 2010 Alaska EIPM Program Coordination, project number ALK-10-01. With continued support from follow-up finding, we will continue to work to expand the outreach of the E-IPM program to reach clientele across the state and protect Alaska’s food supply and natural resources. Additionally, we plan to work with and provide additional training and professional development opportunities to E-IPM staff.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The success of this project is due in large part to the leveraging of these USDA NIFA funds with support and cooperation of the U.S. Forest Service, State and Private Forestry-Forest Health Protection and the Alaska Division of Agriculture, in cooperation with ARS, NRCS, APHIS and the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Experiment Station. E-IPM staff recorded positive identifications of 800 insect, plant, and disease specimens and placed 500 insect monitoring traps in 24 communities across the state. E-IPM addressed noxious weeds prevention and management through a variety of educational outreach programs (http://www.uaf.edu/ces/pests/aiswg/). One of the most successful is the annual statewide invasive ‘Weed Smackdown’ events, conducted in 4 communities throughout the state each year during early summer. These events attract over hundreds of participants annually and feature a contest for the most weeds removed. Smackdowns are multi-agency efforts involving months of planning to recruit volunteers and sponsors. Alaska EIPM addresses invasive species through the lnvasive Plants Program, as a collaborator in the Committee for Noxious and Invasive Plants Management in Alaska (CNIPM), and through Extension. UAF CES and the Alaska EIPM program play a vital role invasive pest outreach at an annual CNIPM annual conference. In addition, Alaska EIPM gains contact with clientele through other conferences, consultations, site visits, lectures/workshops, leading nature/conservation walks, public weed-pulls, websites, and publications. Alaska EIPM addressed noxious and invasive weeds prevention and management and leads statewide monitoring for insect introductions through a variety of programs. E-IPM in collaboration with agency partners authored a new invasive weed management publication on ‘Control of bird vetch (Vicia cracca. E-IPM has continued to provide control advice on creeping thistle, Cirsium arvense as the state has continued to target this thistle for control and eradication. EIPM provided assistance in identification and control recommendations to partners in Juneau, Anchorage and Fairbanks and assisted AK Division of Agriculture with inspection of suspected. Elodea (Elodea nuttallii) is an emerging issue for aquatic invasive species management in Alaska. E-IPM responded supporting agency partners in providing public education, hosting community meetings, working with local cooperative weed management areas, and assisting with applying for state pesticide treatment permits for public and private waters. We expanded our educational distance delivery opportunities offering nine webinars (http://www.uaf.edu/ces/pests/cnipm/k12/webinars/) addressing management strategies for specific invasive species. Additionally three face-to-face Invasive Pest ID and Management Trainings here offered in 3 communities throughout the state, with over 55 participants. Expanded range for Green Alder Sawfly (Monsoma pulveratum) was reported throughout much of SE Alaska threatening watersheds and natural resources. E-IPM authored and disseminated a new publication on monitoring, ID and management options for this pest. Through our trained “first detectors in the WPDN system, Alaska EIPM staff recorded positive identification of more than 2200 insect, plant, and disease specimens during the period of the project. Community Clientele: AKIPM assists various organizations and disseminates relevant information on Community Forest Health, regarding local ecology and pesticides. The goal of this IPM outreach is to reduce general chemical usage and impacts, minimizing both human health risk and environmental impacts. More than 2,000 clients were assisted representing individuals, agencies and organizations including: arborists, community volunteers, Master Gardeners, clubs, farmers, restaurants, greenhouse/nurseries, homeowner groups, pest control operators, retailers, local governments, land lords & rental agencies, landscapers, parks, museums & centers, recreational facilities, rural residents, educators, and tribal groups. With an increase in bed bug outbreaks, AKIPM has teamed with city, state and non-profit organizations to organize our knowledge establish uniform educational material. This group provides outreach with appropriate control measures for homeowners, apartment/hotel managers, daycare personnel and others. In 2011 AKIPM implemented this "task-force", for bed bug controls and outreach, with a multi-agency and pest-control operator workshop. The data is being assessed to define control measures guidelines and publications along with the examination of local government regulations. In addition, this “task force” has convened to tackle bedbug problems at low income, transient housing facilities which are high risk facilities. Alaska IPM Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Alaska.IPM) shares timely pest alerts, educational opportunities, and pest ID inquiries. Over 34,000 unique users were reached through this tool. Our Citizen Scientist online portal continues to grow in acceptance by the public and partnering agencies as a means to report pest sightings. In the first half of 2013, 12 potential pest problems were reported through this network (http://www.uaf.edu/ces/ipm/cmp/). Nearly 6000 publications were disseminated to clients by hardcopy and online download. More than 300 Alaska Master Gardener trainees were reached annually through face-to-face and online training modules on IPM and related educational topics. Specific training topics included ‘What is IPM; ‘Beneficial insects and IPM’ and ‘Using pesticides responsibly’. Approximately half will go on to become Certified Master Gardeners and be recognized as sustainable gardening leaders in their communities. E-IPM has partnered with NRCS to provide IPM education and outreach to the EQUIP program high tunnel cooperators. Alaska has the most per capita of anywhere in the US, resulting in over 500 high tunnels installed since the program initiation, with more planned for 2014. These structures have provided for extended growing season, greater crop diversity, and increased instate food production, and with that has come increases in pest occurrence and diversity. E-IPM provides education on pest scouting, ID, and management options, both conventional and alternative. E-IPM assesses IPM workshops participants using post-workshop evaluation methods. Participants report that after attending workshops, they have: • greater awareness of new IPM recommendations for consumer and commercial pest issues • are more likely to adopt and apply IPM principles, products, and control measures in the home or business Indirectly, we feel that by averaging over 10,000 IPM related contacts annually, over the past decade, we are making a difference in reducing the direct and indirect human and environmental health risks associated with pesticide exposure. One trend, reported by our IPM staff and faculty, is that we are receiving considerably better educated pesticide related home-horticulture inquiries regarding, IPM practices and alternatives to pesticides to reduce usage, and identification of least-toxic pesticide products to meet pest control thresholds while protecting human and environmental health, than we were even a couple of years ago. We take this as a positive indicator that Alaskans are taking vital steps in protecting their natural resources and we feel will result in an enhanced natural environment for all Alaskans. Our non-NIFA partners have been extremely supportive of the Alaska E-IPM Program and its outreach capabilities, these partnerships would not exist without NIFA base-support of our seasonal IPM technicians.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Updated publications (3):
2012. R. Gorman. Slugs. PMC-10070, UAF CES.
2013. J. Chumley. Beekeeping in Alaska. ABM-00230, UAF CES.
2013. IPM Technician Handbook, UAF CES.
New publications (3):
2012. Graziano, G., A. Grant, and T. Wurtz. Control of bird vetch (Vicia cracca). PMC-00341, Invasive Plant Issues, UAF CES.
2013. Chumley, J., J. Lundquist, and J. Reese. Leaf roller defoliation of alder and other tree species on the Kenai Peninsula and South Central Alaska. Integrated Pest Management Issues, UAF CES.
2013. Gorman, B. Green Alder Sawfly (Monsoma pulveratum): A threat to Sitka and Southeast Watersheds. UAF CES.
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Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Educating a broad-based, statewide clientele (over 10,000 public contacts) the IPM team continues to reach new audiences. Now in its 32nd year, the Alaska E-IPM Program is the most recognized, statewide education and outreach effort that successfully promotes the adoption of IPM principles and practices. IPM training and consultation was provided to ethnic minority groups at the Anchorage Refugee gardens project and the international Farmer's Market. These individuals produce for small market and for subsistence. IPM outreach was offered at Local Farmer’s Markets, Garden Fairs, and to Master Gardeners. Youth groups who received IPM training included Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Municipality of Anchorage, Youth Employment in Parks, public school elementary and middle-school students, and over 500 Anchorage School 6th graders at BLM Outdoor Week. The E-IPM Program supported statewide community forestry with staff efforts on the AK Community Forest Council and collaboration with the USFS-SPF Forest Health Protection. IPM promotes sustainable tree health, responsible pest management and community involvement. Changes/Problems: Alaska is experiencing growth in many areas, including: urban population, tourism, agricultural crop diversity, and acreage under cultivation. With these increases, additional demand for IPM education and training regarding new and emerging pest issues has resulted. Reduced funding from all partners, supporting limited, seasonal faculty and staff is currently unable to meet the demand. In 2013 the E-IPM lacked two major seasonal positions in major population areas, Anchorage and Fairbanks. This decrease in clientele support put excessive strain on staff in other areas of the state that were less familiar with the IPM concerns specific to those areas. Furthermore, to maintain the quality assistance with specimen ID and IPM management options our clientele has come to expect from our excellent E-IPM, this decrease resulted in those staff having reduced hours for educational outreach programs. We hope that in spite of reduced funding from all partners for the 2014 season, we will be able to provide at least seasonal E-IPM staff for all 6 CES offices. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? In collaboration with our partner organizations we provide E-IPM seasonal technicians with annual training regarding pest scouting/trapping and safety. Additionally, we provide monthly webinar opportunities on scouting, identification, and management of new and emerging pests. All E-IPM faculty and staff are encouraged to attend statewide conferences for additional professional development. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Webinars (Invasive Plant Issues) Publications (Extension, Pest Notes, Invasive Plant Issues, Master Gardener Curriculum) Statewide Conferences (Alaska SARE, Greenhouse, Nursery and Landscape, Invasive Species Conference, Pesticide Safety and Education Program Recertification Conference) Alaska IPM and Alaska Master Gardener Facebook Pages Face-to-face, phone, and email What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? This is the last reporting period for this E-IPM funding. With continued support in 2014, we will continue to work to expand the outreach of the E-IPM program to reach clientele across the state and protect Alaska’s food supply and natural resources. Additionally, we plan to work with and provide additional training and professional development opportunities to E-IPM staff.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
E-IPM staff recorded positive identifications of 800 insect, plant, and disease specimens and placed 500 insect monitoring traps in 24 communities across the state. E-IPM addressed noxious weeds prevention and management through a variety of educational outreach programs (http://www.uaf.edu/ces/pests/aiswg/) . One of the most successful is the annual statewide invasive ‘Weed Smackdown’ events, conducted in 4 communities throughout the state in early summer 2013. The event attracts over 200 participants annually and features a contest for the most weeds removed. Smackdowns are multi-agency efforts involving months of planning to recruit volunteers and sponsors. E-IPM is a key partner in organizing these smackdowns by, recruiting and promoting these events through educational outreach events and presentations in the community, as well as providing face-to-face education on current, new, and emerging invasive species on both a state and local level. Specifically, in response to extensive requests from clientele, E-IPM in collaboration with agency partners authored a new invasive weed management publication on ‘Control of bird vetch (Vicia cracca), PMC-00341’. Additionally, E-IPM has continued to place additional effort to provide control advice on creeping thistle, Cirsium arvense, as the state has continued to target this thistle for control and eradication, while new infestations continue to be identified. We provided assistance in identification and control recommendations to partners in Juneau, Anchorage and Fairbanks and assisted AK Division of Agriculture with inspection of suspected locations (reporting sightings, chain-store nursery stock, etc) and witnessed disposal efforts mandated by the state. Elodea (Elodea nuttallii)is an emerging issue for aquatic invasive species management in Alaska. In 2013 was the first report and identification on the Kenai Peninsula. E-IPM responded supporting agency partners in providing public education, hosting community meetings, working with local cooperative weed management areas, and assisting with applying for state pesticide treatment permits for public and private waters. We expanded our educational distance delivery opportunities offering nine webinars (http://www.uaf.edu/ces/pests/cnipm/k12/webinars/), reading 151 persons addressing ID and management strategies for specific invasive species. Additionally three face-to-face Invasive Pest ID and Management Trainings here offered in 3 communities throughout the state, with over 55 participants. Expanded range for Green Alder Sawfly (Monsoma pulveratum) was reported throughout much of SE Alaska threatening watersheds and natural resources. E-IPM authored and disseminated a new publication on monitoring, ID and management options for this pest. Alaska IPM Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Alaska.IPM) shares timely pest alerts, educational opportunities, and pest ID inquiries. Over 34,000 unique users were reached through this tool in 2013. Our Citizen Scientist online portal continues to grow in acceptance by the public and partnering agencies as a means to report pest sightings. In the first half of 2013, 12 potential pest problems were reported through this network (http://www.uaf.edu/ces/ipm/cmp/). Nearly 6000 publications were disseminated to clients by hardcopy and online download. More than 300 Alaska Master Gardener trainees were reached through face-to-face and online training modules on IPM and related educational topics. Specific training topics included ‘What is IPM; ‘Beneficial insects and IPM’ and ‘Using pesticides responsibly’. Approximately half will go on to become Certified Master Gardeners and be recognized as sustainable gardening leaders in their communities. E-IPM has partnered with NRCS to provide IPM education and outreach to the EQUIP program high tunnel cooperators. Alaska has the most per capita of anywhere in the US, resulting in over 500 high tunnels installed since the program initiation, with more planned for 2014. These structures have provided for extended growing season, greater crop diversity, and increased instate food production, and with that has come increases in pest occurrence and diversity. E-IPM provides education on pest scouting, ID, and management options, both conventional and alternative.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Updated publications (3):
2012. R. Gorman. Slugs. PMC-10070, UAF CES.
2013. J. Chumley. Beekeeping in Alaska. ABM-00230, UAF CES.
2013. IPM Technician Handbook, UAF CES.
New publications (3):
2012. Graziano, G., A. Grant, and T. Wurtz. Control of bird vetch (Vicia cracca). PMC-00341, Invasive Plant Issues, UAF CES.
2013. Chumley, J., J. Lundquist, and J. Reese. Leaf roller defoliation of alder and other tree species on the Kenai Peninsula and South Central Alaska. Integrated Pest Management Issues, UAF CES.
2013. Gorman, B. Green Alder Sawfly (Monsoma pulveratum): A threat to Sitka and Southeast Watersheds. UAF CES.
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 2012 Alaska IPM Season reached approximately 10,000 clientele, which reflects steady IPM acceptance by stakeholders. AKIPM clients receive education from six seasonal IPM technicians, and three full-time staff based at six CES offices. IPM staff record all contacts made via phone, email, office and site consultations. The IPM team reached over 6000 clients through Educational programs: classes, fair booths, field trips, workshops. Over 300 IPM educational programs were held, statewide. AKIPM addresses invasive species through the lnvasive Plants Program, the Agriculture/Horticulture Program, and through Extension. UAF-CES provides invasive pest outreach at an annual Invasive Species conference, consultations, site visits, lectures/workshops, public weed-pulls, websites, and publications. IPM technician statewide trapping efforts, in the fall of 2011, for the AK Division of Agriculture found no gypsy moths, emerald ash borers, nun moths, Siberian silk moths or rosy gypsy moths. Gypsy moths are ranked in the top three insect threats to Alaska and are not yet established here. CES-IPM maintains collaborative partnerships with public outreach (for pest monitoring to safeguard Alaska's natural resources) in strategic projects with federal, state & local organizations. AKIPM serves as proactive, first detectors with monitoring and outreach to help prevent imported pests from becoming established in Alaska's forests, wood lots, agricultural fields, home yard greenhouses. This work facilitates early detection and rapid response. WPDN 1st Detectors: staff are trained "First Detectors" in the WPDN system. In2012 IPM staff recorded positive identification of more than 800 insect, plant, and disease specimens. Community Clientele: AKIPM assists various organizations and disseminates relevant information on Community Forest Health, regarding local ecology and pesticides. The goal of this IPM outreach is to reduce general chemical usage and impacts, minimizing both human health risk and environmental impacts. More than 2,000 clients were assisted representing individuals, agencies and organizations including: arborists, community volunteers, Master Gardeners, clubs, farmers, restaurants, greenhouse/nurseries, homeowner groups, pest control operators, retailers, local governments, land lords & rental agencies, landscapers, parks, museums & centers, recreational facilities, rural residents, educators, and tribal groups. With an increase in bed bug outbreaks, AKIPM has teamed with city, state and non-profit organizations to organize our knowledge establish uniform educational material. This group provides outreach with appropriate control measures for homeowners, apartment/hotel managers, daycare personnel and others. In 2011 AKIPM implemented this "task-force", for bed bug controls and outreach, with a multi-agency and pest-control operator workshop. The data is being assessed to define control measures guidelines and publications along with the examination of local government regulations. In addition, this "task force" has convened to tackle bedbug problems at low income, transient housing facilities which are high risk facilities. PARTICIPANTS: Michael Rasy, IPM Statewide Technician/Arborist, Gino Graziano, Invasive Plants Program Instructor, and Corlene Rose, IPM Program Manager provided major support to the statewide IPM Program by training staff, assisting the six district IPM technicians with pest lD, plant lD, control recommendations, and collaborative project guidance. Partner Organizations included: USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Municipality of Anchorage, Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Association of Conservation Districts, Eagle River Nature Center, Chugach State Park, CANWIN, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Botanical Garden, Department of Transportation, Alaska Division of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks and SE. TARGET AUDIENCES: Educating a broad-based, statewide clientele (over 10,000 public contacts) the AKIPM team continues to reach new audiences. Elder audiences, above age 50, were served at "OLE" Opportunities for Lifelong Education program with pest management outreach for the home gardener. IPM education was delivered to disadvantaged participants of WC and EFNEP programs regarding IPM for produce growing and storage. IPM training and consultation was provided to ethnic minority groups at the Anchorage Refugee gardens project and the internationals Farmer's Market" These individuals produce for small market and for subsistence. IPM outreach was offered at Local Farmers Markets. Garden Fairs and to Master Gardeners. Youth groups who received IPM training included Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Municipality of Anchorage, Youth Employment in Parks, Fairbanks middle-school students, and over 500 Anchorage School 6th graders at BLM Outdoor Week. Now in its 31st year, the Alaska Extension IPM Program supports most recognized, statewide education and outreach effort that successfully promotes the adoption of IPM principles and practices. The AKIPM Program supported statewide community forestry with staff efforts on the AK Community Forest Council and collaboration with the USFS-SPF Forest Health Protection. AKIPM promotes sustainable tree health, responsible pest management and community involvement. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
"Diagnosing Tree Disorders", and "Identifying Introduced Pests", and "Invasive Plants: Weed Control Strategies" were programs taught to 70 new Master Gardeners and over 100 members of Alaskan gardening clubs. Extension publications, presentations and direct supported these efforts. The AKIPM collaborated with the Alaska Botanical Garden (ABG) and the USFS/PNW Research Station to develop a half-mile Forest Health Education trail. The 14-station trail, with a printed map guide, highlights forest health issues from exotic pests to current research on pathogens affecting tree stands. This trail is the first step in a collaborative effort focused on educating thousands of annual members and visitors that utilize the ABG gardens. A multi-paneled, permanent interpretive display on different forest health issues is under development. AKIPM supported a city-wide Forest Health assessment of tree health data. The 130 trees annually assessed throughout the 29 community districts in Anchorage represents a thorough and ongoing analysis of different conditions and pests affecting urban trees. The data collected annually from this sentinel trees will allow city managers to better respond to pest problems in a more economic and strategic manner. IPM staff recorded positive identifications of 800 insect, plant, and disease specimens and placed 500 insect traps in 24 communities across the state. AKIPM addressed noxious weeds prevention and management through a variety of programs. In July 2012 the statewide invasive weeds smackdowns were conducted in 4 communities. The Anchorage smackdown, targeting European bird cherry, attracted over 130 participants. Smackdowns are multi-agency efforts involving months planning to recruit volunteers and sponsors. AKIPM is a key partner in organizing these smackdowns by, recruiting and promoting these events through other educational outreach events and presentations in the community. CES- IPM has placed additional effort to provide control advice on creeping thistle, Cirsium arvense, as the state is currently targeting thistle for management. We provided assistance in identification and control recommendations to partners in Juneau, Anchorage and Fairbanks. We initiated plant management webinars addressing control strategies for specific invasive species, and the use of tools that facilitate landscape level planning for invasive species management. After examining the extent of the geometrid moth outbreak in Southcentral Alaska in the 2010, the AKIPM responded in 2011 with publications, newspaper articles and televised outreach to provide current and relevant information to the public, AKIPM with USFS entomologists and land managers to document the extent and history of the geometrid moth event. After getting positive identities of the moths involved the previous year, and learning the life cycle, AKIPM responded to the public demand for control options.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The 2011 Alaska IPM Season was successful, with an average of 10,000 clientele reached annually, these numbers reflect steady IPM acceptance by stakeholders. AKIPM clients received education and recommendations in 2011, from our six seasonal IPM technicians, and three full-time staff, based at six statewide CES offices. IPM staff record all contacts made via phone, email, office and site consultations. Additionally the IPM team reached 4,000 clients through Educational programs: classes, fair booths, field trips, and workshops. Over 92 IPM educational programs were held, statewide. AKIPM addresses invasive species issues through the Invasive Plants Program, the Agriculture/Horticulture Program, and through Extension Agents. UAF-CES provides invasive pest outreach at an annual CNIPM conference, consultations, site visits, lectures/workshops, public weed-pulls, websites, and publications. IPM technician trapping efforts, in the fall of 2010, for the AK Division of Agriculture found no gypsy moths, emerald ash borers, nun moths, Siberian silk moths nor rosy gypsy moths statewide. Gypsy moths are ranked in the top three insect threats to Alaska's forests, and are not yet established here. CES-IPM maintains collaborative partnerships with public outreach (for pest monitoring to safeguard Alaska's Natural Resources) in strategic projects with federal, state & local organizations. AKIPM serve as proactive, first detectors with monitoring and outreach to help prevent destructive, imported pests from becoming established in Alaska's forests, woodlots, agricultural fields, home gardens and greenhouses. This work facilitates early detection and rapid response. WPDN 1st Detectors: AKIPM staff are trained "First Detectors" in the WPDN system. In 2011 IPM staff recorded positive identifications for more than 800 insect, plant, and disease specimens. Community Clientele: AKIPM assists various organizations and disseminates relevant information on Community Forest Health, regarding local ecology and pesticides. The goal of this IPM outreach work is to reduce general chemical usage and environmental impacts, minimizing both human health risk and environmental impacts. More than 2,000 clients assisted were from agencies and organizations including: Arborists, Community Volunteers, Master Gardeners, Garden Clubs, Farmers, Restaurants, Greenhouse/Nurseries, Homeowner Groups, Pest Control Operators, Pesticide Retailers, Local Governments, Landlords & Rental Agencies, Landscapers, Parks, Museums & Science Centers, Recreational Facilities, Rural residents, Educators, and Tribal groups. With an increase in bedbug outbreaks, AKIPM has teamed with city, state and non-profit organizations to organize our knowledge to establish uniform educational material. This group provides outreach with appropriate control measures for homeowners, apartment/hotel managers, daycare personnel and others. In 2011 AKIPM implemented this "task-force", for bed bug controls and outreach, with a multi-agency and pest-control operator workshop. The workshop data is being assessed to define control measures guidelines, publications along with the examination of local government regulations. PARTICIPANTS: Michael Rasy, IPM Statewide Technician/Arborist, Ashley Grant, Invasive Plants Program Instructor, and Corlene Rose, IPM Program Manager provided major support to the statewide IPM Program by training seasonal staff, assisting the six district IPM technicians with pest ID, plant ID, control recommendations, and collaborative project guidance. Partner Organizations included: USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Municipality of Anchorage, Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Association of Conservation Districts, Eagle River Nature Center, Chugach State Park, CANWIN, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Botanical Garden, AK Department of Transportation, Alaska Division of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks and SE. TARGET AUDIENCES: Educating a broad-based, statewide clientele (over 10,000 public contacts) the AKIPM team continues to reach new audiences. Elder audiences, above age 50, were served at "OLE" Opportunities for Lifelong Education program with pest management outreach for the home gardener. IPM education was delivered to economically disadvantaged participants of WIC and EFNEP programs regarding IPM for produce growing and food storage. IPM training and consultation was provided to ethnic minority groups at the Anchorage Refugee Gardens project and the International Farmer's Market. These individuals produce for small market and for personal subsistence. IPM outreach was offered at Local Farmers Markets, Garden Fairs and to Master Gardeners. Youth groups who received IPM training included Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Municipality of Anchorage Youth Employment in Parks, Fairbanks middle-school students, and to over 500 Anchorage School District 6th graders at BLM Outdoor Week. Now in it's 30th year, the Alaska Extension IPM Program supports the most recognized, statewide educational outreach effort that successfully reduces potential human health risks, minimizes adverse environmental impacts and improves cost benefit analysis through the adoption of IPM principles and practices. The AKIPM Program supported statewide community forestry with staff efforts serving on the AK Community Forest Council and collaboration with the USFS-SPF Forest Health Protection team. AKIPM promotes sustainable tree health, responsible pest management and community involvement. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
"Diagnosing Tree Disorders" and "Identifying Introduced Pests" were programs taught to 55 new Master Gardeners and over 100 members of Alaskan gardening clubs. Extension publications, presentations and direct assistance supported these efforts.The AKIPM collaborated with the Alaska Botanical Garden (ABG) and the USFS/PNW Research Station to develop a half-mile Forest Health Education trail. The 14-station trail, with a printed map-guide, highlights forest health issues from exotic pests to current research on pathogens affecting alder stands. This trail is the first step in a collaborative effort focused on educating thousands of annual community members and visitors that utilize the ABG gardens. A multi-paneled, permanent interpretive display focusing on different forest health issues is under current development. AKIPM supported a city-wide Community Forest Health assessment of tree health data. The 130 trees annually assessed throughout the 29 community districts in Anchorage represents a thorough and ongoing analysis of different conditions and pests affecting urban trees. IPM staff recorded positive identifications of 800 insect, plant, and disease specimens. They also placed 500 insect traps in 24 communities across the state. AKIPM addressed noxious weeds prevention and management through a variety of programs. In July 2011 the first annual, statewide invasive weeds smackdown targeting the invasive woody ornamental European bird cherry, attracted over 130 volunteers to Anchorage Park, Valley of the Moon. This was a multi-agency collaboration that required months of planning and recruitment of volunteers and sponsors, who donated many prizes and giveaways. AKIPM was instrumental in organizing, recruiting and promoting this event through collaboration with our many partners as well as multiple educational outreach events and presentations in the community. During the feedback survey and suggestions after the event, when asked how volunteers heard of the event, they specifically mentioned AKIPM's presentations delivered in the community. CES-IPM worked with Anchorage on an invasive plant control cost share management plan for the highly ranked invasive species Japanese knotweed. This plant is not yet common in Southcentral AK,a homeowner approached the IPM Program seeking advice to manage a large knotweed infestation in close proximity to riparian areas. The CES-IPM team consulted on a management plan and through the cost share management plan, was able to successfully eradicate the infestation and have a monitoring plan in place for the future. After initially examining the extent of the geometrid moth outbreak in South-central Alaska in the 2010, the AKIPM responded in 2011 with publications, newspaper articles and televised outreach to provide current and relevant information to the public, AKIPM worked with USFS entomologists and land managers to document the extent and history of the geometrid moth defoliation event. After getting positive identities of the moths involved the previous year, and learning the life cycles, AKIPM responded to the public demand for control options: http://www.uaf.edu/ces/anchorage
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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