Source: WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
FOREST HEALTH DEFENDERS: ENHANCING BIOSECURITY THROUGH PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IN PLANT DISEASE RESEARCH
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1022970
Grant No.
2020-67034-31766
Cumulative Award Amt.
$164,967.00
Proposal No.
2019-07338
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jun 15, 2020
Project End Date
Jun 14, 2022
Grant Year
2020
Program Code
[A7201]- AFRI Post Doctoral Fellowships
Recipient Organization
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
240 FRENCH ADMINISTRATION BLDG
PULLMAN,WA 99164-0001
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Non-native forest pathogens threaten the health and production of forest ecosystems and there is critical need to enhance capacity for monitoring and early detection of the introduction of these organisms. The major aim of the proposed project is to establish a citizen surveillance program to train and empower volunteers to monitor tree health and contribute samples for research. The pilot project of the Forest Health Defenders program will engage residents of the Pacific Northwest to monitor and characterize the health issues of red alder (Alnus rubra), an important ecological, cultural and commercial tree species that is native to forests in the western USA. The objectives will be achieved through an approach that integrates extension, educational, and research activities. Engaging citizens as Forest Health Defenders will enhance the biosecurity of the Pacific Northwest and strengthen democracy by empowering residents to make critical observations. The program will unite many key stakeholders with a common goal to keep forests healthy and the proposed activities will advance the application of citizen science for forest protection.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
30%
Applied
50%
Developmental
20%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1230613107030%
1240530310010%
1360613107010%
2120613116030%
8060613107010%
1240613107010%
Knowledge Area
212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants; 806 - Youth Development; 136 - Conservation of Biological Diversity; 124 - Urban Forestry; 123 - Management and Sustainability of Forest Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0530 - Parks and urban green space; 0613 - Mixed conifer-broadleaf forests;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology; 1160 - Pathology; 3100 - Management;
Goals / Objectives
The over-arching goal of the proposed project is to integrate extension, education and research activities to establish a 'citizen science' program that enhances biosecurity, promotes forest health and provides professional development opportunities for the PD. Specific goals of the project and professional development are outlined below.1.Project Goals a.Extension i.Establish a citizen biosurveillance program called Forest Health Defenders or similar.1.Grow a network of engaged volunteers.2.Train and empower participants to monitor tree health and contribute to research. ii.Establish partnerships between WSU and tribes, non-profits, government agencies, businesses and industries in the Pacific Northwest.iii.Engage stakeholders and partners in co-production of the citizen biosurveillance program.iv.Curate and disseminate resources for a long-term forest health, citizen science research program. v.Increase capacity for forest health extension in Washington State. b. Educationi. Provide opportunities for informal education1.Design and lead workshops with stakeholders and volunteers.2.Organize and lead educational hikes with youth through partnerships with schools and extracurricular programs.ii.Raise awareness of the threats of non-native pests and pathogens and ongoing forest health issues in the region. iii.Increase youth interest and public support for forest health research and stewardship. c. Researchi.Conduct a synthesis of methods of public engagement in forest health research to develop a framework of best practices.ii. Characterize Alnus rubra tree health issues in the region.iii.Map the extent of Alnust rubra health issues throughout Washington State.iv.Characterize and compare Phytophthora communities associated with Alnus rubra in distinct land use classes.2. Personal Development Goals a.Advance my skills as academic entrepreneur i.Build partnerships with and receive mentorship from business leaders and professionals in academic, government and non-profit sectors. b.Grow as a leader in implementing citizen science approachi.Overcome shortfalls of previous citizen science project led during PhD.1.Increase transparency of program methods, sample processes, and results2. Incorporate effective experimental design to ensure sampling is rigorousii. Evaluate and summarize merit of public engagement and disseminate potential benefits to professional networks and peers. c. Improve ability to communicate across cultures. i.Establish partnerships and learn about community needs and concerns of local tribes and rural communities. d.Improve at engaging with stakeholders to co-produce project designs and deliverables. e.Establish program to serve as career foundation. i.Build a scalable and expandable program that can serve as a basis for follow up research questions and public engagement.
Project Methods
The objectives of the proposed project will be achieved through an approach that integrates extension, education and research efforts. A 'citizen science' program will be established following best practices identified from a synthesis of methods to engage volunteers used by other forest health research projects globally. The program will serve as a foundation to achieve the education and extension objectives while simultaneously advancing knowledge about forest health issues in the region and achieving the research objectives. The research objectives will be achieved through a pilot project that can be accomplished within the duration of the Fellowship, but the educational and extension efforts within the program will be designed to promote the sustainability of the program to deliver science-based knowledge to Washington residents beyond the duration of the Fellowship. For example, the pilot project will focus on health issues of one tree species, Alnus rubra, to achieve the research objectives, but forest health issues for other tree species will also be explored and integrated into educational and extension efforts. The program will then be used as a foundation for the PD to serve Washington residents over a longer term and develop a research program to address other forest health issues with citizen science in the future. The research objectives will be achieved through a pilot project that invites residents in the Pacific Northwest to share observations to characterize and identify areas of Alnus rubra health issues and contribute samples to assess the possible association with Phytophthora species. Samples will also be collected independently to ensure the experimental design is rigorous by countering sample distribution fragmentation and incorporating randomization. Relationships between the presence of Phytophthora species and Alnus rubra health characteristics will be tested using mixed effect models. Additional analyses will be conducted to compare Phytophthora communities between distinct land use categories using permutation based multivariate analyses and explored using ordination such as non-metric multidimensional scaling. The research objectives will be considered accomplished when the relevant products (e.g. publications) are realized. Educational objectives will be achieved through efforts to provide informal education opportunities for diverse audiences, including educational hikes with local youth development programs and workshops for stakeholders such as plant care professionals. Curricula and extension materials that summarize forest health issues in the region will be disseminated through the educational and communication efforts of the program to promote stewardship of healthy forests. Metrics and analytics to quantify program participation (workshop attendance, samples submitted, unhealthy tree reports) and resource importance (number of views or downloads), respectively, will be measured throughout the duration of the Fellowship for evaluation. Participants of educational efforts will also be invited to provide anonymous feedback immediately following each effort for evaluation.

Progress 06/15/20 to 06/14/22

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences and stakeholders of the project included forest managers, volunteer and community groups, community scientists, students, youth crews, and Tribal youth. The project and professional development also fostered partnerships across many sectors including, industry, local, state and federal government, non-profits, academics and small businesses. The project reached audiences of these sectors through many efforts and channels including in person events, workshops, seminars, guest lectures, online webinars, science pubs, community office hours, monthly research update presentations and educational hikes. Overall, the project reached many audiences through a combination of research, education, and service approaches. Forest managers engaged through this project included urban foresters, small forest landowners, parks and recreation offices, conservation districts, and staff from municipal, state, and federal agencies and entities. Examples of municipal entities include the City of Seattle and City of Tacoma. State agencies included the Washington Department of Transportation, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Oregon Department of Forestry, and the Washington Department of Ecology via the inclusion and training of Washington Conservation Corps crews. Audiences managing forests in federal agencies included the Forest Health and Protection division of the USDA Forest Service and staff from National Parks in Washington State. Relationships were also developed with Tribal Nations and the entities managing their forested ecosystems. For example, multiple site visits and youth hikes were organized with staff in Manulife Investment Group in the Muckleshoot Tomanamus Forest. Volunteer and community groups included Green City Partnership Forest Stewards, WSU Master Gardeners, WSU Master Naturalists, City of Tacoma Chip-In Park Stewards, Issaquah Alps Trail Club members, Arbutus ARME community members, Tacoma Tree Foundation stakeholders, Trees for Seattle stakeholders, and more. Community scientists were recruited through many channels and engaged during many activities and events, in person and virtually. More than 200 individuals signed up as community scientists through the project webpage and 197 subscribed to the project newsletter. The number of individuals signed up as community scientists from each state/province are as follows: British Columbia (2), Idaho (2), California (1), Montana (7), Oregon (49), Washington (135), and Wyoming (1). Students from nearby colleges and universities were engaged in guest lectures, hikes, field trips and projects. Guest lectures were given to classes at University of Washington, Green River College, Pierce College, and Washington State University. Two students from a Tacoma Highschool were mentored during a research project to survey Phytophthora in unhealthy red alder stands. Two additional Natural Resource students from Green River College were mentored during a capstone project that involved isolating oomycetes from soils collected under western redcedar trees. Three more Environmental Studies students from University of Washington Seattle were mentored in capstone projects to assess the health of trees across urban heat islands. Finally, a Biology Student from Pacific University was mentored during a capstone project to collect soils, isolate Phytophthora, and inoculate redcedar trees during the project. Youth were engaged through conservation groups such as the Washington Conservation Corps, Northwest Youth Corps, and AmeriCorps. Activities were also organized with the Muckleshoot Tribal College - Early College Program which included a tour of the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center. Youth were also engaged through school programming such as a forest walk with a Botany class at the Mount Tahoma High School, a tree identification activity with Hilltop Heritage Middle School, and a tree planting activity with the Ecology Club at the Puyallup Chief Leschi Tribal School. Three activities were specifically organized with Tribal youth from the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe. Overall, USDA NIFA was acknowledged during many efforts with many groups and communities through this project. Support for this project ensured WSU could deliver research, education, and service outcomes to many audiences, including many individuals from communities underrepresented in STEM fields such as Native American Tribes. Changes/Problems:The outcomes of the project varied slightly from the proposed project goals because of changes to accommodate primary concerns of stakeholders and foster participation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed project was designed to assess the health of red alder (Alnus rubra) trees. However, after the project was funded a more pressing issue was identified for western redcedar (Thuja plicata). Many stakeholders and partners of the project identified the dieback of western redcedar as their primary concern. Therefore, the focus of the project was shifted to evaluate the link between western redcedar and other factors leading contributing to its dieback. Shifting the project to address these stakeholder concerns and research needs also increased support for the project and focusing on a culturally significant tree helped build relationships with Tribal communities that may not have been possible otherwise. The project methods were also shifted to provide opportunities for citizen scientists to contribute without requiring in-person training or the handling of samples to avoid health concerns associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic. The project therefore engaged many participants to share observations online without collecting physical samples. However, after vaccinations were available and communities became more comfortable with in-person engagement activities, citizens were trained and invited to collect soil samples for oomycete surveys as proposed in the original project. Despite these changes, the overall objectives of the project were accomplished and the establishment of the Forest Health Watch program will continue to serve as a career foundation for the PD and program that provides extension, research and education outcomes to stakeholders and society. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project accomplished all goals relevant to professional development. The PD advanced as an academic entrepreneur, grew as a leader in using the citizen science approach, developed relationships across cultures, particularly with Native American communities, improved at engaging stakeholders in co-production, and established a program that will serve as a career foundation. The PD also benefited from mentorship and trainings offered during the project and developed as a early career researcher through the mentorship of many undergraduate students for many area colleges. Outcomes of the project advanced the PD as an academic entrepreneur because it provided opportunities to establish novel partnerships between WSU and many sectors of society. For example, more than 100 organizations were engaged and invited to participate in 3 series of 'collaborator updates' about the Forest Health Watch program. Many of these partnerships also fostered mutually beneficial activities such as the engagement of Forest Stewards in the Green Cities Partnership led by Forterra, a Seattle based land conservation non-profit. In this example, Forest Stewards grew in awareness about forest health issues, the program recruited community scientists, and the PD developed a relationship with Forterra and organizers of Green Cities Partnerships in multiple cities. The resulting partnerships between WSU and these other sectors will continue beyond the scope of this project. The PD also grew as a leader in advancing the citizen science approach. He was invited to share about the methods of engaging citizens in plant health research in a seminar series in Sweden and the International Plant Health Conference in London. He has also prepared a manuscript for a special issue in Frontiers of Ecology and Evolution about citizen scientist engagement in biosecurity. The PD has also become established as a leader in the citizen science community of the Pacific Northwest. He co-organized a PNW Citizen Science Summit that featured more than 30 projects in 2021 and is involved in planning of the 2022 Summit as well. In the 2021 Summit, he gave a presentation about how to create a citizen science project and he is often consulted with questions about the feasibility of projects by colleagues at WSU. He also developed the webpage https://pnwcitsci.org which is a central hub for sharing citizen science information regionally and lists 35 projects in the Pacific Northwest. The project also helped the PD develop as an early career researcher capable of communicating across cultures. For example, the PD received mentorship and learned best practices for cultivating relationships with Tribal Communities. Lessons learned include the recognition of multiple ways of knowing, the need to earn traditional knowledge, and the difference between reciprocal and extractive relationships. The PD also learned the value of approaching research opportunities after identifying research needs within sensitive communities. Together these lessons contributed to the development of the PD as an early career researcher capable of addressing needs across cultures. The PD also developed professionally in his capacity to co-design and co-produce research projects with partners outside of Academia. The shift in the program title from Forest Health Defenders to Forest Health Watch and the shift from a focus on Alnus rubra to Thuja plicata followed input from stakeholders and partners. Engaging with these communities before starting the research project ensured the results were meaningful and useful to the stakeholders, it also increased community support because there was greater cooperation from the start. The PD will continue to approach research opportunities after identifying stakeholder needs and co-desigining solutions when fitting. The Forest Heatlh Watch program was established through this project and will continue to serve as a foundation for the PD to build his career. The program was designed to host multiple projects so that it can shift to new topics as issues arise. For example, the program now has support from Washington State Department of Natural Resources to engage communities in research about the emergence of Sooty Bark Disease, a new issue affecting urban and natural forests in the Pacific Northwest. This shift demonstrates the flexibility and sustainability of the Forest Health Watch program and its utility for the PD's career going forward. Furthermore, the network of community scientists fostered through the establishment of the program in this project can be leveraged to take action as future opportunities and needs arise. As part of this project, the PD participated in the following workshops: Integrating Climate into Hazard Mitigation Plans (Western Region), Tribes & Climate Change Program, Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, Northern Arizona University. CC101: Introduction to Climate Change Adaptation Planning for Tribes, Tribes & Climate Change Program, Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, Northern Arizona University. Software/Data Carpentry workshop at the UW eScience Institute, University of Washington. 2021 Partnership Development Training, USDA Forest Service PI Roles and Responsibilities Training, Washington State University. Working with Industry 101, Washington State University. Study Circle on Racism and Equity, Washington State University. The PD also mentored the following students during the project: Hibaaq Arte, Capstone Project (Senior), Environmental Studies, University of Washington Daviti Vardishvili, Internship Project (Junior), High-Value Agriculture Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduate Students (REEU) Program, Washington State University Grant Irey, Internship Project (Freshmen), College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences Internship Program, Washington State University Nicole Vonberckefeldt, Capstone Project (Senior), Natural Resources, Green River College Jennifer Olson, Capstone Project (Senior), Natural Resources, Green River College Lyndsay Felthoven, Capstone Project (Senior), Environmental Studies, University of Washington Angela Mabel Gaither, Capstone Project (Senior), Environmental Studies, University of Washington Brieanne Laia & Hailey Dilow, Marine Chemistry Science Project (Grade 12), Bellarmine Prepratory Highschool, Tacoma, Washington. Mentorship outcomes include: Arte H, White E, Felthoven L, Gaither A, Billo T, McDonald S, Hulbert JM (Manuscript in Prep). Western redcedar dieback is associated with urban heat in King County Washington. Olson J, Vonberckefeldt N, Hulbert JM 2022. Oomycete communities associated with redcedar on Green River College campus, Green River College Capstone Presentation. Vardishvili D, Shrader K, Harvey S, Hulbert J, Chastagner G. 2022. Post-harvest hydration treatment effects on the vase life of Peonie, Washington State University, Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium. (Poster Presentation.) Gaither A, Billo T, Hulbert JM 2022. Redcedar dieback and urban heat in Renton, Environmental Studies Capstone Project Presentations, University of Washington. Poster Presentation. Felthoven L, Billo T, Hulbert JM 2022. Redcedar dieback and environmental health disparities in Seattle, Environmental Studies Capstone Project Presentations, University of Washington. Oral Presentation. Laia B, Dilow H, Hulbert J 2021. Phytophthora species associated with unhealthy red alder trees at Titlow Park, Bellarmine Prepatory Highschool Science Fair. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results of the project have been disseminated through many platforms including written summaries, oral and visual presentations, and other sources of media such as YouTube videos and websites. Communities of interest were also engaged during monthly research update presentations open to the public virtually. Many stakeholders and project participants routinely joined these research updates to learn updates from analyses and provide feedback for project outcomes. The communication platforms such as the project website (https://foresthealth.org/) and these monthly research updates will continue beyond the scope of the project as the Forest Health Watch continues to engage communities in forest health projects. Substantial effort was dedicated to outreach during the project. Outreach activities included tabling at events, leading educational hikes, organizing webinars, giving guest lectures, offering monthly online community office hours, providing online information sessions, and partnering in community events such as tree giveaways and tree plantings. Together these outreach activities provided many opportunities to connect communities of interest with the results and outcomes of the project. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The outcomes of the project benefited stakeholders and society at large through change in knowledge, actions, and conditions, described below. Overall, the project accomplished most of its original goals and successfully integrated extension, education, and research activities to establish a citizen science program that will continue to deliver outcomes beyond the completion of this postdoctoral fellowship. The project also provided many professional development opportunities invaluable to the success of the PD as an early career researcher. Outcomes of the project led to changes in knowledge for many stakeholders and project participants by raising awareness and providing opportunities for critical thinking. Educational outcomes were delivered through many platforms including technical and popular writing, oral and poster presentations, radio interviews, webinars, video productions, virtual office hours, monthly research updates open to the public, and activities such as site visits, educational nature walks and activities involving sample collection and tree identification. An example of a specific outcome is the change in knowledge about the behavior and best management practices for reducing the impacts of invasive plant pathogens in restoration nursery practices. In this example, the PD raised awareness of staff and Washington Conservation Corps crew members at the City of Tacoma restoration plant nursery. The breadth of the approaches used within this project reached many audiences and demonstrates the value of integrated projects. The project also had outcomes that changed the actions of stakeholders and project participants. Many activities including presentations and trainings were dedicated to recruiting and inspiring interest to volunteer time as citizen scientists. More than 200 individuals signed up as community scientists within the Forest Health Watch program website and more than 550 had joined the iNaturalist project. Two hundred and fifty of those people shared observations in the iNaturalist project, contributing to the research. Additional citizen scientists submitted samples to the laboratory for diagnostics. Engagement in this project also inspired one participant to send letters to elected officials requesting greater support for similar projects and advocating for more action to reduce the impacts of climate change on forest health. Many undergraduate students conducted independent research projects contributing to and using the iNaturalist dataset. These students learned and applied skills that prepared them for STEM careers such as data collection, visualization, and analyses. Some students mentored in this project also learned GIS skills where others learned laboratory methods for isolating oomycetes from soils. Project outcomes also led to changes in condition for some project participants. For example, after raising awareness about the best management practices for reducing impacts of plant pathogens in nurseries, the City of Tacoma nursery steamed their pots, raised their potted plants off the ground, and sent plant and soil samples to the WSU Plant Clinic for disease diagnostics. Since then, nursery staff have noted a general increase in plant health condition after following the best management practices introduced through the project. Albeit this is one specific example, the project reached many audiences with similar messaging that generally led to a more aware population more conscious about the factors affecting forest health. Specific project goals accomplished within this project include: a.Extension i.Established a citizen biosurveillance program called Forest Health Defenders or similar 1.Grow a network of engaged volunteers. 2.Trained and empowered participants to monitor tree health and contribute to research. ii.Establish partnerships between WSU and tribes, non-profits, government agencies, businesses and industries in the Pacific Northwest. iii.Engage stakeholders and partners in co-production of the citizen biosurveillance program. iv.Curate and disseminate resources for a long-term forest health, citizen science research program. v.Increase capacity for forest health extension in Washington State. b. Education i. Provide opportunities for informal education 1.Design and lead workshops with stakeholders and volunteers. 2.Organize and lead educational hikes with youth through partnerships with schools and extracurricular programs. ii.Raise awareness of the threats of non-native pests and pathogens and ongoing forest health issues in the region. iii.Increase youth interest and public support for forest health research and stewardship. c. Research i.Conduct a synthesis of methods of public engagement in forest health research to develop a framework of best practices. Specific project goals not yet met: ii. Characterize Alnus rubra tree health issues in the region. iii.Map the extent of Alnust rubra health issues throughout Washington State. iv.Characterize and compare Phytophthora communities associated with Alnus rubra in distinct land use classes. The above goals were not met because we shifted our focus to Western redcedar (Thuja plicata) health issues following feedback from project stakeholders and limitations experienced during the COVID-19 Pandemic (see changes/problems). However, some preliminary investigation relevant to these goals was accomplished. For example, the diversity of Phytophthora species associated with unhealthy red alder (Alnus rubra) was investigated during a research project that mentored two highschool students from Bellarmine Prepratory Highschool during a research project for their senior science class.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Elliott M, Hulbert JM, Streng D, Chastagner GA 2021. Multiagency collaborations help public gardens contain Phytophthora outbreaks while providing insights and opportunities for novel research. Plant Health Progress. DOI: 10.1094/PHP-02-21-0045-FI.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Fraisl D, Hager G, Bedessem B, Hsing P, Gold M, Haklay M, Hulbert, JM, and others 2022. Citizen Science in environmental and ecological sciences, Nature Review Methods Primers 2, 64. DOI: 10.1038/s43586-022-00144-4.
  • Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2022 Citation: Brooks R, Hulbert JM, Omdall D, Elliott M, Chastagner GA. Sooty Bark Disease Diagnostic Guide, WSU Extension Fact Sheet.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Hulbert JM, Cleary M, Hallett RA, Roy HE and others (in prep). Citizen science can enhance forest pest and pathogen management strategies.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: https://foresthealth.org
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: https://pnwcitsci.org
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Hulbert JM, Are Oomycetes associated with the dieback of western redcedar?, 10th Meeting of the International Union of Forest Resaerch Organizations, Working Party S07.02.09 - Phytophthora in Forests and Natural Ecosystems Berkeley California.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Hulbert JM, Forest Health Watch: empowering communities to keep trees healthy, 10th Meeting of the International Union of Forest Resaerch Organizations, Working Party S07.02.09 - Phytophthora in Forests and Natural Ecosystems Berkeley California.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Hulbert JM, Community engagement to accelerate research and learning about the dieback of western redcedar. Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference. (Virtual Presentation).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Hulbert JM, Community engagement can accelerate research about urban forest health issues. Urban Ecology and Conservation Symposium, Urban Ecosystem Research Consortium, Portland Oregon. (Virtual Presentation).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Hulbert JM, Western redcedar dieback as an indicator of the effects of climate change on cultural resources and tribal communities, 2021 Rising Voices Workshop, Virtual (Poster-walk) Presentation
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Hulbert JM, So, you want to start a citizen science project?, 2021 Pacific Northwest Citizen and Community Science Summit, Virtual Presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Hulbert JM, Forest Health Watch: empowering community scientists to accelerate research, Northwest Climate Conference (Online), Virtual Presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Hulbert JM, Urban Ecology and Conservation Symposium, Urban Ecosystem Research Consortium, Exploring the dieback of western redcedar as a symbol of the inequities in urban environments. Video Poster Presentation.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Chastagner GA, Elliott M, Hulbert JM 2021. Effectiveness of fungicides and biopesticides in controlling Botrytis gray mold on western hemlock nursery stock. Tree Planters Notes, 64(1):21-31.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Elliott M, Rollins L, Bourret T, Hulbert JM, Chastagner GA 2021. Three new hosts for Phytophthora ramorum confirmed in Washington State: Salal, Oregon grape, and red huckleberry, Plant Health Progress. DOI: 10.1094/PHP-01-21-0003-FI.


Progress 06/15/20 to 06/14/21

Outputs
Target Audience:Many academic peers were reached through presentations during departmental seminars, conferences, and symposia (see Other Products). The PD also engaged closely with faculty and extension specialists at Washington State University (WSU) by organizing the WSU Forestry Working Group. Partnership were established with collaborators from key regional sectors listed below. These partners were updated through two quarterly collaborator update virtual events, individual meetings, or specific presentations. Agencies such as the USFS, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Department of Agriculture, Universities such as Oregon State University and University of Washington. Tribal natural resource departments and members of the Quinault Nation, Puyallup Indian Tribe, Kalispel Tribe of Indians, and the Swinomish Indian Community, and Iindustries such as Weyerhaeuser and Hancock Resource Management. Counties and local municipalities such as King County, Pierce County, City of Seattle, City of Tacoma, City of Portland. Nonprofits such as Forterra, The Nature Conservancy, Northwest Natural Resource Group, and Tacoma Tree Foundation. Many stakeholders such as small forest landowners, master gardeners, native plant societies, and volunteers in the Green Cities Forest Stewardship Program were reached during presentations to specific audiences. The PD also helped coordinate a WSU extension event for forest landowners. Members of the public were reached during webinars, websites and published popular media. Youth and students from two high-schools were reached through presentations. Guest lectures were given in 5 classes at four higher-education institutions such as WSU, Evergreen State College, University of Washington, and Green River College. Changes/Problems:The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the delivery of in-person engagement opportunities and training to potential citizen scientists. The research was expanded to include the dieback of western redcedar because it enabled the virtual engagement of citizen scientists, and it was identified as a primary concern by partners and collaborators. Citizen scientists have also been able to engage in the research by sharing observations and pictures of redcedar trees and answering questions about symptoms. These additions have fostered the creation and relevance of the Forest Health Watch program that will continue to achieve objectives relevant to the goals of this project during the next reporting phase. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Progress toward achieving all Professional Development Goals has been made because of this proposed project. I have also received professional development through mentorship from my primary mentor, Dr. Gary Chastagner as well as others across different sectors. These mentors have helped accomplish professional development goals such as Goals a, c and d. I also participated in four professional development workshops listed below: Software Carpentry, University of Washington. Partnership Development Training, USDA Forest Service PI Roles and Responsibilities Training, Washington State University. Working with Industry 101, Washington State University. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Delivery of major results of the project are still in progress, but some preliminary results have been shared through monthly research update events or collaborator updates hosted through the Forest Health Watch program. Preliminary results of the expanded research (see Changes/Problems) are updated daily through a public visualization maintained with Tableau Public (see https://foresthealth.org/analyses). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Effort to accomplish and expand all goals will continue through the next reporting period. Greater effort will be dedicated to offering in-person services now that there is a vaccine available. In person training events will increase sample collection capacity and data quality necessary for accomplishing the Research Goals. Now that the program has been established and many people have signed up as citizen scientists, we can invite participants to collect and submit soil samples. We have also collected some physical samples, but laboratory analyses are needed to accomplish the research goals. I will also continue to accomplish goals relevant to my professional development. For example, I will continue to grow as a leader in implementing the citizen science approach by helping organize a regional Pacific Northwest Citizen Science Summit. I will also continue to build the Forest Health Watch into a program that can serve as a career foundation. For example, the program is well set up to shift our focus to a new forest health issue such as the recent emergence of Sooty Bark Disease in Seattle.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Efforts to accomplish the over-arching goal to integrate extension, education and research activities are in progress. Some goals of each aspect have been accomplished, where others are still in progress. Extension Goals: goals relevant to establishing the citizen science program (Extension goals i and ii) were accomplished. For example, the Forest Health Watch program was established and many citizen scientists have signed up to collect samples. Education Goals: goals relevant to raising awareness and increasing interest and support (Education goals ii and iii) were accomplished. For example, more than 50 presentations have been delivered to various audiences, all acknowledging USFA NIFA support). Research Goals: goals relevant to conducting a synthesis of methods of public engagement in forest health research (Research goal i) have partially been accomplished. Personal Development Goals: all goals relevant to personal development have been accomplished to a certain degree as highlighted below: Goal a - My skills have been advanced as an academic entrepreneur as I've grown a network and established many novel partnerships with key resource managers and educators in the region, Goal b - i've grown as a leader in implementing the citizen science approach by improving program transparency by better utilizing and open data platform, iNaturalist, for achieving research objectives and by hosting quarterly collaborator updates and monthly virtual research updates for members of the public. Goal c - I've improved my ability fo communicate across cultures by pursuing and receiving mentorship for engaging with tribes by staff in the Intertribal Timber Council and the University of Washington Burke Museum; Goal d - i've improved at co-production through the establishment of new partnerships and finding methods to connect across diverse fields Goal e - i've established the Forest Health Watch program which will serve as a foundation for future public engagement projects.

Publications