IPM News and Events Roundup 09/13/2024
A weekly collection of IPM news, webinars, employment, funding opportunities, and more from the Northeastern IPM Center
If you have IPM-related research, events, or other IPM news you would like to have included, please email Jerrie Haines at jlh472@cornell.edu. If you would like to subscribe to the weekly Roundup, please email northeastipm@cornell.edu. Past Roundups are archived on our website.
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Northeastern IPM Center News
Call for Nominations: 2025 Outstanding Achievements in Integrated Pest Management Award
Submission deadline: Friday, October 25, 2024
The Northeastern Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Center is opening nominations for the 2025 Outstanding Achievements in IPM Award.
The Center launched the award in 2019 and has offered it most years since. The award honors those whose work on IPM in the Northeast deserves special recognition. Professionals (or organizations) and students are eligible. Nominations come from colleagues, advisors, supervisors, and others familiar with the nominees’ work.
External reviewers with expertise in IPM evaluate the nominees. Each winner receives $500 and agrees to provide an article for the Center’s publications/website/social media outlets and/or present a webinar hosted by the Center.
The award seeks nominations of growers, consultants, researchers, educators, managers, and college/university students (undergraduate, master’s, and PhD) in the Northeast region who are working in:
- Agricultural IPM (fruit, vegetables, ornamentals, and livestock and field crops)
- Affordable housing
- Homes
- Schools and institutions
- Natural-areas/water-resources IPM
- Invasive species
For more detailed information, or if you’d like to submit a nomination, visit neipmc.org/go/YpTc.
Increasing Access to Practical Biocontrol Information through Digital Resources
October 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
Register at cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MFNtyp2KQoaWGYrAbDfvPw
The webinar will be recorded for anyone unable to attend the live session.
Description
The New York State Integrated Pest Management Program Biocontrol website continues to grow with information for all of North America. In the past year, we have added profiles of individual biocontrol agents, and we are planning to incorporate resources developed through the Augmentative Biocontrol (ABC) Working Group. The focus for both is to provide practical information that addresses barriers to biocontrol adoption and helps growers and gardeners successfully implement biocontrol. During the toolbox talk we will provide a tour of biocontrol agent profiles and describe the ongoing process and progress to create resources on augmentative biocontrol.
Amara Dunn-Silver
Biocontrol Specialist – New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, part of the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Amara supports the effective use of biological control solutions for pests in all agricultural commodities, as well as pests encountered by New Yorkers where they live, work, play, and learn.
Hillary Peterson
Integrated Pest Management Specialist – Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Hillary is responsible for IPM education and implementation across the state including pests affecting structures like schools, homes, and restaurants, agriculture, invasive species, and more.
October 29, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
Register at cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wxN5zM8QTje8oyz45iChdw
The webinar will be recorded for anyone unable to attend the live session.
Description
This panel will explore a unique Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) perspective; best practices of DEI; an opportunity to learn how to implement change in light of the anti-DEI legislation, and how it’s affecting experiences across the country. We will provide the necessary examples that will equip you to be a more informed leader with DEI in mind and lean into how to support your administration, faculty, staff and students in an anti-DEI climate. This session will give participants an opportunity to think through real-life diversity, equity and inclusion scenarios, and help create a network for you to turn to when addressing DEI issues.
Panel members:
Dr. Antomia “Mia” Farrell - Associate Dean and Director College of Agriculture & Natural Resources (CANR), Michigan State University
Dr. Quatez Scott - Assistant Dean for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Agriculture (IDEA), Colorado State University
Dr. Jacquelyn Mosley - Professor of Human Development and Family Sciences and the Assistant Dean, Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas
Dr. Anna Katharine Mansfield - Associate Director & Associate Professor, Cornell AgriTech
Bee Breeding and IPM for Better Pollinator Health
November 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
Register at cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YZTukWExRLq9o2-3qgTL2g
The webinar will be recorded for anyone unable to attend the live session.
Description
This presentation will focus on recently published and current research on the genetics and breeding of mite-resistant stocks in honey bees, and a recent study using a sustainable method to manage varroa mites in bee hives.
Dr. Hongmei Li-Byarlay
Associate Professor, Central State University
Dr. Hongmei Li-Byarlay is a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society and president of the International Branch of the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Her doctoral degree is in entomology from Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana) and she studied the genetics and physiology of Drosophila melanogaster. Then she worked at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and North Carolina State University to study functional genomics and social behavior of honey bees. In 2017, she started her research lab on bee genetics, genomics, pollinators, and ecology. She has mentored 40 undergrad students at CSU, and published 49 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters including P.N.A.S., BMC Genomics, Insect Molecular Biology, etc. She has presented 120 talks for research. She’s on the Editorial Board of Current Research in Insect Science, and topic editor for Nature Scientific Reports, Cell Heliyon, and the Journal of Insect Science.
DEC Announces EPA-Approved Pollution Prevention Plan for Cayuga Lake Watershed
Finalization of ‘Total Maximum Daily Load’ for Phosphorus Will Improve Water Quality and Assist Region in Addressing Watershed Threats
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced the finalization of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved nutrient pollution reduction “budget” to help restore the water quality of Cayuga Lake's southern end for recreation and help protect drinking water. The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the lake provides a detailed analysis of phosphorus pollutant sources, recommends a 30 percent reduction of phosphorus from the watershed to meet the lake’s water quality standards, and will be used by stakeholders throughout the entire watershed to improve water quality.
https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases
NOP Creates New Tool to Help Producers and Handlers Connect with USDA Accredited Certifiers
At the National Organic Program (NOP), we have heard it can be challenging for those interested in applying for organic certification to know where to start. We know that searching for a certifier and researching separate certifier websites can be time consuming! To address this challenge, the NOP created a tool to help potential applicants express their interest to certifiers.
Anyone interested in attaining organic certification can now use the Organic Certification Interest Form to answer a few questions about their business activities and products they want certified organic. Completed interest forms will automatically be sent to certifiers accepting new applicants. Certifiers who provide the services an applicant needs can then contact the applicant directly to provide more information about their services and application process.
We hope this new tool will ease the process for producers and handlers and help them connect with the right certifier. If you or anyone in your community is interested in getting certified, please click or share the link below to express that interest to potential certifiers.
EPA Requiring Additional Actions at Superfund Sites Based on Safe Drinking Water Act Standards for PFAS (pfasinsights.com)
EPA is requiring additional testing at sites subject to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund) five-year review based on PFAS standards issued under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). In April 2024, EPA finalized a rule designating two of the most studied and prevalent PFAS, Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane... Continue Reading
Research in the News
Ingestible hydrogel microparticles improve bee health after pesticide exposure (nature.com)
Bees provide crucial pollination services for crop cultivation, contributing billions of dollars to the global agricultural economy. However, exposure to pesticides such as neonicotinoids represents a major problem for bee health, necessitating strategies that can improve agricultural sustainability and pollinator health. Here we report a simple and scalable solution, through ingestible hydrogel microparticles (IHMs), which can capture neonicotinoids in vitro and, in the bee gastrointestinal tract to mitigate the harmful effects of pesticides. Using the common eastern bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) as a model species and the neonicotinoid imidacloprid, we demonstrated by means of lethal and sublethal assays the substantial benefits of IHM treatments. Under lethal exposure of imidacloprid, bumblebees that received IHM treatment exhibited a 30% increase in survival relative to groups without IHM treatment.
Feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection normally causes mild or subclinical signs and is common in domestic cats. However, in some cats, FCoV infection can also lead to the development of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)—a typically lethal disease. FCoV has two serotypes or genotypes, FCoV-1 and FCoV-2, both of which can cause FIP. The main difference between the genotypes is the viral spike (S) protein that determines tropism and pathogenicity, crucial mechanisms in the development of FIP.
Effects of combining soil-applied insecticide and Bt corn for integrated pest management and resistance management of western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) (academic.oup.com)
The western corn rootworm, (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a serious pest of corn (Zea mays Linnaeus, Cyperales: Poaceae) in the midwestern United States. Management practices for corn rootworm larvae include crop rotation, transgenic corn producing insecticidal toxins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) (Bt), and soil-applied insecticides. The extent to which combining soil-applied insecticide with Bt corn would be beneficial from the perspective of insect resistance management (IRM) or integrated pest management (IPM) remains uncertain. We conducted a 3-yr field study to characterize the implications of combining a soil-applied insecticide and Bt corn for IRM and IPM of western corn rootworm.
Identifying new invasive plants in the face of climate change: a focus on sleeper species (link.springer.com)
Sleeper populations are established populations of introduced species whose population growth is limited by one or more abiotic or biotic conditions. Sleeper populations pose an invasion risk if a change in those limiting conditions, such as climate change, enables population growth and invasion. With thousands of established introduced species, it is critical that we identify and prioritize potential sleepers. Here, we identified introduced plants established in the northeastern United States with high impacts and the potential to expand with climate change. Of 1795 introduced plants established in one or more northeastern states, we focused on 118 taxa regulated by one or more states outside the Northeast plus 61 taxa recorded as invasive globally and under consideration for regulation in the Northeast.
Researchers Seek Right Density of Bait Stations to Suppress Mosquito Numbers (entomologytoday.org)
When it comes to controlling mosquito vectors of disease, as with so many other endeavors, cutting corners doesn’t work. At least, that’s what University of Florida researchers found out when they tested a one-of-a-kind trap that can turn disease-bearing mosquitoes into a tool for suppressing their own populations. The two-year study suggested that pest control professionals cannot shave costs if they deploy a device used for a trap-and-release strategy of mosquito control at a density lower than that prescribed by the manufacturer’s instructions.
News
Insecticide, Miticide, & Fungicide Guide (growertalks.com)
Hot off the Press: 2025 Insecticide, Miticide & Fungicide Guide
GrowerTalks special edition guides have become treasured commodities for greenhouse professionals, and when they’re updated, you certainly want to have the latest versions bookmarked digitally or on your shelf.
The 2025 INSECTICIDE, MITICIDE & FUNGICIDE GUIDE was just released and includes new chemistries in the handy charts, as well as articles sharing the latest research from crop protection experts. Click the link above and download your PDF today!
Are you seeing fewer spotted lanternflies? Here’s why (nypost.com)
Pat yourself on the back, New York City! Operation Squish was a success.
There were significantly fewer spotted lanternflies feasting on vegetation across the city this summer, and entomologists credited human intervention — stamping out the tree-killers on sight — with contributing to the drop.
“I have to think we are making an impact,” said Brian Eshenaur, senior extension associate for NYS Integrated Pest Management at Cornell University.
ASU researchers studying why a majority of one type of mosquito in Maricopa County aren't dying from insecticide (12news.com)
ASU researchers are finding a majority of one type of mosquito found in the Valley is insecticide resistant in a lab setting.
Amid mosquito season, ASU researchers are finding a majority of one type of mosquito found in the Valley is resistant to one of the main types of insecticides used to control mosquitoes.
"A lot of people don't like mosquitoes, right? Because they are these annoying little things buzzing in our ears," Associate Professor Silvie Huijben, PhD at ASU's School of Life Sciences said. "But they're important, they're the most dangerous animal in the world."
AI boosts indoor food production’s energy sustainability (news.cornell.edu)
Integrating artificial intelligence into today’s environmental control systems could reduce energy consumption for indoor agriculture by 25% – potentially helping to feed the world as its population rises, Cornell engineers have found.
High Tunnel Production Toolkit (uvm.edu)
Expand your knowledge.
Factsheets | Newsletters | Presentations | Videos
Pest Talks (growertalks.com)
2025 IMF Guide
Dacthal Recall
Pendimethalin safety
Algae & Mosses
VSD Survey
UCR Entomologist Makes a Case for Eating Bugs (pctonline.com)
Erin Wilson-Rankin, a professor in UC-Riverside's Entomology Department, shared why the practice of eating arthropods, or entomophagy, is gaining in popularity.
Call for papers
Journal of Economic Entomology - Recent advances in biological control of spotted-wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii
The Journal of Economic Entomology (JEE) invites you to submit a manuscript proposal for a special collection titled “Recent advances in biological control of spotted-wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii”.
JEE’s special collections bring together articles on special topics of interest that would benefit from group presentation in the journal and dedicated promotion by ESA communications and our publishers at Oxford University Press.
For this special collection, we aim to collect original research and review articles highlighting recent and important research progress or providing novel insights into methods for enhancing or assessing the impact of natural enemies especially parasitoids on SWD control. Articles may cover but not limited to the following themes: (1) Release, establishment and impact of introduced parasitoids; (2) optimal methods for rearing and cold storage of key parasitoids; (3) overwintering survival of introduced parasitoids; (4) climatic tolerances and geographical distributions of key parasitoids; (5) host fruit effects on the efficiency of key parasitoids; (6) interspecific interactions and outcomes of key parasitoids; (7) pesticide effects on key parasitoids; (8) chemical ecology of parasitoid host location and host specificity; (8) behavioral ecology of parasitoid foraging efficiency; (9) other biological control agents (predators and entomopathogens); and (10) integration of biological control into SWD IPM.
Submission deadline: March 1st, 2025. We aim to publish this special collection in June 2025, but papers will be published online as soon as they are completed and then gathered into an online collection once all of them are available.
Webinars, seminars, meetings, and more
Newly featured this issue
Understanding and Applying Integrated Pest Management Methods with Janet Hurley
September 24, 2024 | 1:00 CDT
Pests can damage crops by stealing nutrients and spreading pathogens, but insects are also critical for pollination – finding the right balance between conservation and pest management is key within this delicate ecosystem. Join us to learn how common-sense practices like proper sanitation and pest proofing can be your best tools for creating an effective pest management program. Janet Hurley will share the fundamentals of IPM, and how to utilize resources in your local environment to put the right controls in place. This webinar will provide a broad overview and history of integrated pest management (IPM) in all its forms.
NEW S520 STANDARD FOR PROFESSIONAL MOLD REMEDIATION
Oct 2, 2024, 12:00 PM in EST
We hope you can join us for a webinar focused on the new standard for professional mold remediation. This discussion will focus on the revisions in the latest edition of the S520, and how these shifts address critical changes to the industry that include: - Cleaning and disinfecting product claims; - Quality and performance issues; - The public's misunderstandings regarding mold and health; - And provide information about misunderstood topics like mycotoxins, fungal ecology, glucans and mushrooms. This introduction to the new S520 standard will also highlight new justifications, definitions and language changes to the world's only multidisciplinary standard of Care for Professional Mold Remediation with ANSI accreditation.
Friday, October 18th, 2024
The Cornell Rice Field Day is hosted by faculty at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering.
Friday, October 18, 2024 / 8:30am to 5pm
$45 per person (includes breakfast, lunch and transportation between Parts 1 & 2 locations.
Each workshop attendee must complete a separate registration and payment form.
Please register by October 6th at this link: https://riceconference.securepayments.cardpointe.com/pay
Previously featured
The Entomology Seminar is generally held weekly on Thursdays from 11:05 AM to 12:05 PM. Please check the schedule because some meetings are held on different dates and times*
September 19th, 11:05 AM - 12:05 PM
2123 Comstock/Zoom & A137 Barton Lab (speaker will be in person)
Speaker: Laurel Symes, Cornell Center for Conservation Bioacoustics
TBC
Host: Cole Gilbert
September 26th, 11:05 AM - 12:05 PM
2123 Comstock/Zoom & A137 Barton Lab (speaker will be in person)
Speaker: Peter Nagy, Cornell University
A pathogen-specific Nox-Atm-Cytokine pathway controls epithelial cell turnover upon infection
Host: Nicolas Buchon
October 3rd, 11:05 AM - 12:05 PM
2123 Comstock/Zoom & A137 Barton Lab (speaker will be in person)
Speaker: Ann Hajek, Cornell University
Spongy moth: A tale of two pathogens
October 10th, 11:05 AM - 12:05 PM
2123 Comstock/Zoom & A137 Barton Lab (speaker will be in person)
Speaker: Mike Turell fmr. USA AMRIID Arbovirologist
50 years of research at the U. S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases.
Host: Laura Harrington, Corrie Moreau
Southern IPM Hour: Supporting Homeowner IPM Programs
This is an ARDP research project. The main problem we seek to resolve is developing a cohesive dataset and holistic recommendations for pest management in and around structures that can be implemented by homeowners and non-pest management professionals. (We use the term "homeowner" to also include renters.) RESEARCH The research goal of our proposal is to fill data gaps that inhibit integrated, science-based recommendations for the control of perimeter pests. Research Objective 1. Define the minimum interstitial space that will prevent perimeter pests or serve as harborage using peridomestic cockroaches as a model and expanding to other pests. Research Objective 2. Laboratory efficacy testing of over-the-counter products. EXTENSION goal is to deliver science-based IPM information directly to consumers by diversifying the IPM message and messengers. Extension Objective 1. Survey citizens about their current knowledge of IPM and pesticide use. Extension Objective 2. Develop homeowner-friendly recommendations that incorporate results from research objectives and use in direct-marketing to the general public. Extension Objective 3. Build Extension's capacity by engaging non-traditional change agents who will then reach a more diversified audience. Extension Objective 4. Demonstration project to complement laboratory research objective on exclusion. The Southern IPM Hour presents research, issues, and programs in Integrated Pest Management from the Southern Region of the United States. Recordings of the webinars are available after the event. More info southernipm.org/ipmhour
Date & Time
Sep 17, 2024 01:00 PM in EST
Join New York State Integrated Pest Management at Cornell University for our monthly seminar series designed to increase awareness of new research and techniques that advance Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and its adoption in all types of pest management settings.
Seminar
Brawling weeds and the fight for crop survival
Speaker: Clarence Swanton, University of Guelph
September 25, 2024
Fall 2024 Cornell Climate Impact Speaker Series
In the last three years, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), establishing approximately $500 billion in federal funding for clean energy projects. These laws together represent the most historic action any nation has ever taken to address climate change and ushered in a new era of optimism for a clean energy future. However, the success of these laws hangs in the balance, with political obstacles, regulatory hurdles, and infrastructure bottlenecks creating significant headwinds for clean energy projects to move forward. This conversation will include looking back at the work behind-the-scenes that led to the creation and passage of these laws, and looking ahead to what work is needed in coming months and years to ensure that the US is able to realize the full potential of the IRA/BIL, and achieve significant GHG reductions.
October 3: Augustus Doricko (Rainmaker)
[5:00 p.m., G155 M. Van Rensselaer Hall, Register]
Augustus Doricko is the founder of Rainmaker, a cloud-seeding geoengineering startup that aims to create water abundance in the United States.
What’s Bugging You First Friday is a monthly virtual series that explores timely topics to help you use integrated pest management (IPM) to avoid pest problems and promote a healthy environment where you live, work, learn and play. IPM is a wholistic approach that uses different tools and practices to not only reduce pest problems, but to also address the reasons why pests are there in the first place. Each month, our speakers will share practical information about how you can use IPM.
The 2024 What’s Bugging You First Friday schedule is now available on the program’s website, and you can register for multiple events using our registration form. We look forward to seeing you in 2024!
October 4th: Identifying Pests in Your Home
November 1st: 2024 Tick Blitz Results | No Spray Needed
December 6th: Feed the Birds | Repurposing a Holiday Tree
2024 Webinar Series for Greenhouse, Nursery & Garden Center Professionals
Join UNH Cooperative Extension and other experts to sharpen and refresh plant production skills. These monthly webinars on a variety of topics are intended to provide practical training for greenhouse, nursery and garden center professionals, although all are welcome to attend. One New England pesticide applicator recertification credit has been applied for each event.
Register for one, multiple or all of the interactive, Online Classes
2024 Class Dates:
September 24 - Injecting a Drench - Jonathan Ebba
October 29 - Renewable Energy Sources for Greenhouse Environmental Control - Dr. Md Sazan Rahman
November 26 - Mealybug - Dr. Amber Vinchesi-Vahl
December 17 - Fertilizer Selection Basics/Water Analysis - Jonathan Ebba
If you have questions or would like assistance registering for or accessing the webinars, including language access, please contact Jonathan at Jonathan.Ebba@unh.edu
Save the Date!
The 11th International IPM Symposium
March 3 – 5, 2025
San Diego, CA
This is an excellent opportunity for state IPM program directors and ARDP PDs to meet USDA NIFA presentation requirements.
The Symposium is a key conference that cuts across IPM issues and offers much in the way of highlighting current issues in IPM, presentations on current research and developments, and valuable networking for stakeholders.
Penn State Extension Associate Director of Programs (University Park, PA)
Penn State Extension is seeking an Associate Director of Programs to coordinate programming efforts and ensure Penn State Extension develops and delivers high-quality, relevant, and impactful extension educational programs, products, and services. This senior-level leadership position will provide daily oversight in the development and implementation of a customer-centric, innovative business strategy that meets the mission of the land-grant university and will be an integral part of Extension’s Senior Administrative Team. Review of applications will begin in late October.
Postdoctoral Research Associate - EAB
Dr. John J. Daigle, Professor in the School of Forest Resources at the University of Maine is seeking applicants for a postdoctoral position research scholar with a strong social science and forest management background. This is a full-time position that will provide an individual who has recently been awarded a doctorate to undertake the responsibilities of community engagement and research. The position will include outreach and communications for collaboration in sustaining brown ash as a component of forest environments.
Previously featured
Coastal Resilience Strategy Program Specialist
The Coastal Resilience Strategy Program Specialist at the University of Maryland Sea Grant Extension Program (UMDSGEP) is responsible for program coordination, project management, and leadership in developing a comprehensive coastal resilience strategy.
This role involves facilitating reporting processes, managing grant applications, and responding to NOAA National Sea Grant Office (NSGO) requests. The Program Specialist will spearhead research, analysis, and strategy development focused on community climate adaptation, stakeholder engagement, and equity & justice.
The University of Maryland, College Park
The Seo laboratory is seeking a talented and motivated faculty assistant to conduct research in uterine and placenta biology, with a focus on the interactions between the conceptus and the uterus that mediate implantation and placentation. Approaches used include molecular and cellular biology methods, powerful imaging technologies, transcriptomics, metabolomics as well as in vitro cell/tissue culture. The lab utilizes and integrates research across multiple mammalian species, including pigs, sheep and cattle to pursue comparative studies across species that have different types of implantation and placentation to gain insights into the physiological, cellular and molecular events that support successful pregnancy.
Administrative and Events Coordinator
The Native Plant Center is seeking a part-time Administrative and Events Coordinator to provide integral program support, including office, event, membership, and volunteer management.
This is a part-time position with more hours worked in-season vs. off-season. The salary range begins at $30/hour and is commensurate with experience.
Assistant Professor in Global Change Ecology
The Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation in the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech invites applicants for the position of assistant professor in global change ecology as part of a campus-wide hiring initiative focusing on the grand challenge of invasive species. We seek a candidate with interest and experience in invasion science through the lens of invasion ecology, ecosystem disturbance, and/or novelty in terrestrial ecosystems. This is a full-time, tenure-track, 9-month appointment with primary responsibilities in research and teaching. The Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation is committed to building an inclusive community through programs and activities that are integrated into our research, education, and outreach efforts. We welcome applications from persons identifying with groups underrepresented within the discipline, including but not limited to, Black, Indigenous, people of color, first-generation, and underrepresented genders.
As part of a campus-wide cluster hire on invasive species, the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation in the College of Natural Resources and the Environment at Virginia Tech seeks applicants for a 9-month, tenure-track, research (60%), teaching (30%), and service (10%) position at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank. The successful candidate will study fish or wildlife populations using cutting-edge genetic/genomic tools to improve detection, identification, rapid response, management, and/or eradication of invasive species. Possible areas of research could include the use of environmental DNA, metabarcoding, genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, gene editing, or related approaches for studying invasive species that affect fish or wildlife populations.
The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in their area of expertise in the department. Advising and mentoring both graduate and undergraduate students is required. Participation in departmental, college, and university affairs and collaboration with faculty both within the department and across the university is expected.
The Bureau of Water Supply seeks to hire a Scientist (Water Ecology) I for a position with the Ecological Research and Assessment Section, Natural Resources Division, Watershed Protection Programs Directorate, located in Kingston, New York.
The Ecological Research and Assessment (ERA) Section provides an array of services to the Bureau of Water Supply and other bureaus in the fields of invasive species, wetlands, restoration, aquatic ecology, and project review. Through research and monitoring programs, ERA supports management of City lands, regulatory reviews, partnership programs and a wide range of watershed protection and management programs. Understanding and managing the wetlands, streams, lakes, ponds and reservoirs in the watershed and their relationship with the uplands is very important for assessing their condition and identifying and mitigating potential water quality threats.
Under supervision, of the Invasive Species Biologist, the Scientist (Water Ecology) I serve as Field Technician and will assist in performing field surveys, management activities, data collection and analysis, project reviews, and procurement-related and administrative tasks to support the completion of goals and tasks in the Ecological Research and Assessment Section. Specific duties include:
- Assisting in conducting routine field data collection and surveys in support of the Wetlands and Aquatic Ecology Program, Invasive Species Program, and Restoration Ecology Program
- Assisting in managing aquatic and terrestrial invasive species through mechanical means
The University of Maryland, College Park, is seeking a Program Coordinator who will oversee the administrative management and coordination for the UME Associate Dean and Senior Admin Team. The responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to, management and oversight of statewide search processes for tenure track faculty and other state-level positions, managing and coordination of periodic reviews of administrators/unit directors, coordination of departmental/program reviews, coordination of UME events and functions, oversight of travel arrangements, budget management, and project management for the senior admin team. The coordinator will also manage the background check process for 7000+ UME volunteers. Other duties as assigned.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Science (COS) at Virginia Tech are inviting applications for a 9-month (academic year) tenure-track research and teaching position at the Associate or Full Professor level in applied economics with a focus on invasive and other harmful species. This broadly encompasses any species that pose threats to terrestrial and / or aquatic ecosystems, impact markets, economic decision-making and outcomes. The academic home for this position will be either the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics (in CALS), the Department of Economics (in COS), or a joint appointment in both. The position also carries expectations for funding summer activities through external grants, teaching, or other mechanisms. The successful candidate will have proficiency in theoretical, analytical, and quantitative tools and methods to tackle complex problems as part of a campus-wide invasive species cluster hire.
The Specialist will be part of College of Agriculture & Natural Resources (AGNR) and University of Maryland Extension (UME) and work closely with the Environment and Natural Resource team, to provide leadership for natural resource and environmental management related programs. It is the responsibility of the Specialist to be self-motivated and work intentionally and collaboratively with partners to increase the visibility and reach of Extension programs that are specifically designed to meet the needs of diverse audiences. The Specialist will use a variety of delivery and communication strategies appropriate for the intended target audience, including but not limited to conferences, workshops, classes, demonstration projects, websites, webinars, social media, publications, and mass media. The faculty member will be on track for tenure and promotion to a higher rank in accordance with UMD policy and UME tenure guidelines within the timeframe defined and will perform teaching, scholarship, and service requirements of a University of Maryland faculty member. In carrying out these duties, the individual reports to the Program Leader & Assistant Director, Environmental, Natural Resources, and Sea Grant Program.
The Specialist will report to the Assistant Director and Program Leader of the Environmental and Natural Resource Program.
Statewide Coordinator (Nutrient Management Advisor)
University of Maryland Extension (UME) Agriculture and Food Systems (AgFS) Program seeks candidates for a 12-month Agricultural Nutrient Management Program (ANMP) Nutrient Management Advisor. ANMP Nutrient Management Advisors develop nutrient management plans for agricultural producers to balance nutrient inputs with crop requirements, thus optimizing production potential, improving farm profitability, reducing excess nutrient inputs into the Chesapeake Bay and enabling producers to comply with the State of Maryland’s Water Quality Improvement Act of 1998.
Facility Manager Position at University of Maryland college of AGNR
Under the general supervision of the Center Director, establishes the operations and management of a 35-acre facility which is home to turf grass research and education which is located at the northern edge of the University of Maryland College Park campus. Works directly with researchers and their staff to implement projects, assist with research and educational programs related to turf grass. Provide support as outlined by the Center Director. This position requires a knowledge of turf grass production and maintenance and the willingness to be a working manager, performing tasks in the daily operations alongside facility employees as well as provide supervision and training.
SARE Seeks Web Services Developer
Through the activities described below, the Web Services Developer will help develop, manage and maintain the IT systems for national SARE programs.
The Web Services Developer will assist the national SARE program to maintain web-based IT systems that support online content management and the creation of modern educational resources for SARE grantees, grant managers, communication specialists and outside stakeholders by enhancing the functionality and usability of online content and maintaining system security. The position will be employed through UMD’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, at College Park, Md. They will report to the SARE Associate Director and work under the guidance of SARE’s IT Director to collaboratively support all NRCCO colleagues and SARE’s national partners. The Web Services Developer will also be responsible for providing IT support to SARE’s Food Loss and Waste National Grant and Training and Technical Assistance (FLW) program. This is a new, temporary program that requires similar IT support and focus to all SARE grant and outreach programs, but with specific needs required by the USDA NIFA to uphold its FLW program priorities.
Overall, the Web Services Developer will improve SARE’s ability to advance our digital outreach capacity, efficiency and effectiveness to SARE regional partners, national stakeholders and the public.
Extension Entomologists (2 positions)
The Department of Biology at Utah State University (USU) seeks applicants for two tenure track faculty positions (Assistant Professor rank) in entomology. One position will focus on insect pests in horticultural crops of Utah (fruit, vegetables and nursery) and the other in agronomic crops (alfalfa, small grains, corn) and turf. The successful candidates will be expected to establish Extension and research programs related to insect pests in horticultural and agronomic crop production systems in UT reflecting USU’s land grant mission. The positions will have a role assignment of 50% Extension, 45% Research, and 5% Service. There is no teaching expectation for these positions, and they are not eligible for remote work. The successful candidates have the option to secure an additional one-month salary from external funding such as grant awards. Review of applicants will begin October 1, 2024, and will continue until the positions are filled, with a tentative start of August 1, 2025.
Greenhouse Grower S05 -Cornell Agricultural Experiment Station (2 positions)
These S05 Greenhouse Grower positions will assist the Greenhouse Supervisor with the daily operations of the CALS Greenhouses by providing excellent care for high value plants, closely following direction provided, including watering and fertilizing of plants. Maintain greenhouses and work areas in a clean, sanitary and orderly condition. Pay close attention to detail and adhere to high standards of reliability and timeliness.
Assistant Professor - Applied Honeybee Entomology
North Dakota State University
The School of Natural Resource Sciences (SNRS) at North Dakota State University is seeking an outstanding individual for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in the area of applied honeybee entomology. North Dakota is the top honey-producing state in the U.S., with 800,000+ honey bee colonies, with most transported cross country for commercial pollination services (https://www.ndda.nd.gov/divisions/plant-industries/apiary-honey-bees). Duties of the successful candidate include: conducting research in the area of applied honey bee entomology, which could include (but is not limited to) bee behavior, bee health, ecology and resource use, integrated pest management, or hive/apiary management; developing a nationally recognized research program; securing funding through external sources; producing peer-reviewed publications and other relevant research and Extension outputs; mentoring graduate and undergraduate students; providing leadership and conducting Extension programming for the state related to honey bees and apiaries; and serving on SNRS, College, and University committees. Research and Extension efforts should help support relevant North Dakota stakeholders (e.g. industry, land managers) and the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-research/ag-research) including maintaining or improving bee and apiary resources.
University of Maryland Extension (UME) is seeking an Extension Educator responsible for organizing, developing, implementing and evaluating educational programs for youth, families and communities. The Educator would work with volunteers and youth development agencies to provide experiential learning opportunities for youth, leading to the development of life skills for youth. The educator is also responsible for developing an active, ongoing recruitment campaign to involve new volunteers and youth. As a tenure- track faculty member, the Educator will be responsible for providing leadership to develop focused youth development programs in cooperation with colleagues across the county and Capital Maryland cluster. The faculty member will be on track for tenure and promotion to a higher rank in accordance with University policy and UME tenure guidelines within a timeframe defined.
Agent, Regional Watershed Restoration Specialist
University of Maryland
The University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) is a leading Land-Grant institution providing teaching, research, and Extension programs through University of Maryland Extension (UME) to a diverse clientele in the State of Maryland and beyond. UME seeks to fill a 12-month, tenure-track faculty position in watershed-based education with a particular focus on green infrastructure and nature-based solutions at individual and community landscape levels. The Regional Watershed Specialist for the Capital Cluster will work in the Anne Arundel, Charles, and Prince George’s counties of Maryland as well as statewide to provide non-formal education and technical assistance to stakeholders, including local and county governments, watershed groups, communities, and individuals. Education programming will focus on practices that improve water quality and quantity at the local level that lead to quantifiable reductions in non-point sources of pollution as well as improvement of water quantity/quality issues in the face of changing climate, increasing catastrophic weather events and intensities in a rapidly urbanizing region and state. The educator will be a member of the University of Maryland Extension’s Watershed Protection and Restoration Program (WPRP), consisting of faculty members with similar education responsibilities in other regions of the state. The educator will work closely with the Maryland Sea Grant Program (MDSG) to assist with implementing strategic Sea Grant initiatives that emphasize environmental justice and climate resiliency.
Funding Opportunities
This message is to notify the research community of a recently released Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) funding opportunity for the Deployed Warfighter Protection (DWFP) Program Award. The Armed Forces Pest Management Board (AFPMB) invites pre-applications for research projects up to 3 years and up to US $975,000. Pre-applications should describe original, innovative research designed to develop new interventions for the protection of deployed military personnel from medically relevant pests including arthropod disease vectors. The program supports the product development of: (1) new toxicants or the adaptation of existing toxicants to medically relevant pests; (2) new insecticide application techniques; (3) new personal protection tools for bite prevention; (4) new decision support tools; and (5) surveillance tools that link to improved vector control outcomes. Research should be product-oriented, consisting of advanced research related to a particular technology or new capability, field evaluation of products for military uses, or research directed towards the development of an existing prototype product for future commercialization and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration.
Pre-applications must be submitted electronically to the Electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://ebrap.org by the 4 October 2024 deadline. For more information about this funding announcement, please visit https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/ProgramFY.htm?programFYId=625101.
NOAA announces $600,000 citizen science competitive grant opportunity
The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing a $600,000 funding opportunity for members of the public to conduct science that helps fisheries and fishing communities prepare for climate change. As the lead for this project, NOAA Fisheries will accept proposals for citizen science projects that help improve stock assessments or contribute to our understanding of how our fisheries and fishing communities may be impacted by changing environmental conditions.
NOAA seeks to strengthen its ability to provide science-based management and conservation of our nation’s living marine resources under a changing climate, including investing in innovative data collection approaches like citizen science. Citizen science typically involves members of the general public participating in the scientific process alongside researchers to answer real-world questions.
The citizen science project proposals should address the following priorities:
- Support and improve federal fishery stock assessments using innovative approaches that address data gaps related to catch, size or age, composition, life history, or stock identification and definition.
- Work to better understand how fish species may be impacted by changing environmental conditions.
- Understand how fishing communities, whose livelihoods and lifestyles often rely on sustainably managed marine resources, will be impacted by climate change.
This funding will support three to eight different projects at approximately $75,000 to $200,000 per project from fiscal year 2025 to 2026. Proposals are required and are due by November 4, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants are also asked to submit an optional Letter of Intent by September 5, 2024 to aid in planning the review panels.
Please visit NOAA Fisheries Open Funding Opportunities for details on how to apply or see the full funding announcement on grants.gov.
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Cooperative Weed Management
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) was launched in 2010 to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world — the Great Lakes. As one of the initiative’s 16 regional working group members, the U.S. Forest Service uses GLRI resources to strategically target the biggest threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem and accelerate progress toward long-term restoration goals for this important ecosystem.
Who May Apply
GLRI funding is available to Cooperative Weed Management Areas (and similar organizations, e.g., Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas and Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management) that work within the Great Lakes Basin of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMAs) and similar groups are organized partnerships of Federal, State, and local government agencies, Tribes, individuals, and various interested groups that manage invasive plants within a defined area, generally a county or larger in size.
Applications may include work on all land ownerships within the Great Lakes watershed of the United States. See the RFA Instructions document for more information on eligibility requirements.
Important Dates
- ??Applications Due: September 18th, 2024-- Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 6:00 p.m. Eastern/5:00 p.m. Central.
- To add your organization to the GLRI mailing list for updates, please send a request to SM.FS.glri@usda.gov.
- Fiscal Year 2024 GLRI CWMA Request for Application Instructions
- Fiscal Year 2024 GLRI CWMA Project Narrative Form (required for all applications)