IPM News and Events Roundup 09/15/23

IPM News and Events Roundup

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

IPM Toolbox webinar: Weeds of the Northeast

September 21, 2023, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. EDT | Zoom | Free, registration required

Antonio DiTommaso—professor of weed science and chair of the soil and crop sciences section in the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University—will introduce the new edition of the comprehensive reference book, Weeds of the Northeast, which he co-authored, and answer your weed-related questions. The book includes descriptions and photos of floral and vegetative characteristics, giving home gardeners, landscape managers, pest management specialists, and allergists the ability to identify weeds before they flower.

For more information: https://www.northeastipm.org/ipm-in-action/the-ipm-toolbox/weeds-of-the-northeast/
To register: https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xoZq9txQTlK3EE78TyBDeQ

IPM Toolbox webinar: Working with Museums, Libraries, and Archives to Use IPM to Prevent and Combat Infestations

October 26, 2023, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. EDT | Zoom | Free, registration required

Since the late 1990s, museums, libraries, archives, and other cultural heritage institutions have adapted agricultural IPM techniques to suit their specific collection risks and work practices. This webinar will assess some of the most important successes over the past decades while also examining where improvements are needed. Presented by Rachael Perkins Arenstein, a partner in A.M. Art Conservation, a private practice in the New York area with a specialization in preventive care.

For more information: https://www.northeastipm.org/ipm-in-action/the-ipm-toolbox/working-with-museums-libraries-and-archives-to-use-ipm-to-prevent-and-combat-infestations/
To register: https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rhZP5LlRSwuW07StgDJ0-g

Call for Nominations: 2023 Outstanding Achievements in Integrated Pest Management Award

The Northeastern IPM Center is opening nominations for the 2023 Outstanding Achievements in IPM Award, which recognizes professionals and/or students based on their efforts and accomplishments in IPM. The Center seeks nominations of growers, consultants, researchers, educators, managers, and college/university students in the Northeast region.

For more information about the nomination criteria and award process, visit: https://neipmc.org/go/FdNt

Nomination deadline: Friday, October 27, 2023

Coming soon: Northeastern IPM Center 2024 RFA

Stay tuned for the Northeastern IPM Center’s 2024 request for applications (RFA) for projects seeking funding in the Northeast region. Learn more about our grant programs at https://www.northeastipm.org/grant-programs/ipm-center-grants/

Other Regional IPM Centers News

2024 Call for Proposals (Southern IPM Center)

The Southern IPM Center has announced the release of the 2024 Southern IPM Grants request for applications (RFA), with total funding of $250,000 to be distributed to projects in the Southern region.

2024 Funding Available for Critical Issue Research and Working Group Projects (North Central IPM Center)

The North Central IPM Center has released their 2024 request for applications (RFA), with approximately $300,000 to distribute to roughly ten projects in the North Central region.

Western IPM Center Annual Grants Program Opens October 4 (Western IPM Center)

The Western IPM Center’s annual grants program opens October 4 with about $320,000 to award to selected projects in the Western region.

News

Hoping a tiny wasp has a huge impact in controlling spotted wing drosophila (Western IPM Center)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and several cooperating universities are rearing and releasing Ganaspis brasiliensis—a small, stingless, parasitic wasp that lays eggs in spotted wing drosophila larvae—to explore its effectiveness as a biocontrol agent against the target pest.

New invasive plant confirmed in West Virginia’s New River Gorge National Park (WBOY 12 News)

Invasive chaff flower was confirmed in West Virginia’s only national park. The plant was first confirmed in the U.S. in Kentucky in the 1980s. Chaff flower can grow up to six feet tall and kill native plants in its area by shading them out. Generally, it’s found along creek and river beds and in floodplains. It’s easy to spread accidentally because its “brackets” stick to cloth and fur. Although the plant grows only from April to September, seeds can be spread year-round.

Webinars, Seminars, Meetings, and More

What’s Bugging You? First Friday Events (New York State IPM Program)

Fridays | 12:00 pm. – 12:30 p.m. EDT | Zoom | Free; registration required

In this monthly virtual series, we explore 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. What is IPM? It's 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.

2023 What’s Bugging You First Friday Schedule

Join us Live on the first Friday of every month from Noon to 12:30 EST on Zoom.

October 6: Jumping worms | Roof gutter pests
November 3: Winter Garden prep | Tick check reminder
December 1: Houseplant IPM | Firewood pests

Register for upcoming events.

What’s Bugging You First Friday events are in Spanish this year. Individuals interested in these events can find more information on this website: https://cals.cornell.edu/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/events/whats-bugging-you-webinars/conozca-su-plaga

And can register using this form: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3OQDpakcGrSd3tc

2023 New Hampshire Landscape Association Field Day (University of New Hampshire Extension & New Hampshire Landscape Association)

Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Belknap County 4-H Fairgrounds, 174 Mile Hill Rd, Belmont, NH

The 2023 NHLA Field Day, co-hosted by UNH Extension and the New Hampshire Landscape Association, is a full day of educational sessions, demonstrations, vendors, and networking. Speakers include specialists from UNH Extension, NH Department of Environmental Services, NH Division of Forests and Lands, and many industry professionals. Four pesticide applicator credits available. Details & registration at https://nhlaonline.org/fall-activities/

Registration available at event but discounted rate offered for pre-registration. For pre-registration, payments must be received by September 13.

Staying Safe Outdoors: How Understanding Tick Biology Can Help You Avoid Lyme Disease (Harvard Medical School)

September 27, 2023, 12:00 – 1 p.m. EDT | Zoom | Free; registration required

Are you an avid gardener? Do you run, hike, golf, or walk your dog? If you spend time outdoors, you are at risk for Lyme disease, a tick-borne bacterial infection that affects almost half a million people each year and can become serious if not treated early. Lyme disease is one of several illnesses you can contract from a black-legged tick bite. Drawing on her research, Isobel Ronai, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, will describe the biological characteristics that make ticks a particularly daunting threat and will explain how we can use what we know about tick biology to protect ourselves against ticks and the diseases they cause. Ronai will also address important knowledge gaps in tick research and explain how filling those gaps may help us gain more ground against ticks.

For more information: https://lyme.health.harvard.edu/lwi-events/
To register: https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hCgTKDKsTsaI-2EdZKEBCw

2023 New York Invasive Species Expo

Join us for the 2023 NYS Invasive Species Expo! This is a unique conference focusing on invasive species, and will combine classic presentations and creative use of outdoor space to appeal to a wide range of attendees. The Expo will be an immersive, hands-on experience featuring:

Unique presentations
Interactive demonstrations
Hands-on workshops
Small-group discussions
Field trips & outdoor activities

The Expo will be hosted within the unique, historic architecture of beautiful Saratoga Spa State Park and will be open to the public with no cost for general attendance.

Sessions will be centered around the overall theme: Reflect, Adapt, Evolve. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on what’s been accomplished so far in the field of invasive species management, learn about the innovative ways we can adapt in unprecedented times, and discuss how we can evolve to confront challenges moving into the future.

September 24-26, 2023

Invasive Insect Certification Program for Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forest Pests (UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Program)

September 27, 28; October 10, 11, 25, 26 | Webinar

This six-day webinar series (each listed separately below) looks at the characteristics of invasive insects and the impacts and costs they have regionally and nationwide while highlighting the biology, ecology, and identification of some of the most destructive examples, including Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, spongy moth, hemlock woolly adelgid, and winter moth. State and federal regulations pertaining to invasive insect management will be discussed. Management as a part of landscapes will be presented along with strategies to prevent human-assisted movement of these organisms. IPM will be the focus, highlighting cultural and mechanical management options along with the use of biological control. Participants may optionally receive a certificate in invasive insect management.

View these and other upcoming program events (web page) or view detailed agenda (PDF)

Wednesday, September 27: The Impacts and Costs of Invasive Insects
Thursday, September 28: The Impacts and Costs of Invasive Insects, continued
Tuesday, October 10: Invasive Forest and Agricultural Insects in MA: Current and Future
Wednesday, October 11: Invasive Forest and Agricultural Insects in MA: Current and Future, continued
Wednesday, October 25: Management of Invasive Forest and Landscape Insect Pests
Thursday, October 26: Management of Invasive Forest and Landscape Insect Pests, continued

IPM in California Schools – North Central School IPM working group (IPM Institute, Pest Defense for Healthy Schools)

September 28, 2023, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. PM CDT | Zoom | Free; registration required

Pest Defense will host Jose Flores and Howard Grashin of Integrated Pest Control Management (IPCM). Jose opened IPCM in 2016 after 21 years in the pest control industry, and Howard joined in 2019. During this webinar, they will draw on their experience to share strategies that comply with California restrictions to control rodents and other pests in schools. Register at https://bit.ly/SchoolIPCM

Tick Academy (IPM Institute, Tick IPM Working Group)

October 11 – 12, 2023, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. CST| Zoom | Registration required

Once a year, the Tick IPM Working Group hosts the Tick Academy, which is an opportunity for researchers, educators, students, public-health professionals, pest-control professionals, public-space managers, and citizen scientists interested in learning more about what they can do to stop the spread of ticks and tick-borne diseases in their communities. This virtual event will feature presentations from experts in the tick IPM field including Tammi Johnson, Alexis White, Susan Paskewitz, Bob Maurais, Brian Allan, Kirby Stafford, and more.

One Health: Understanding Threats to Wildlife and Human Health

October 12, 2023, 1:00 p.m. EDT | Webinar | Free; registration required

From avian flu to SARS-CoV-2 to chronic wasting disease, there is no shortage of threats to wildlife health across every biome and species, with many of these threats affecting agriculture and public health as well. Steve Osofsky, Krysten Schuler, and Jennifer Bloodgood of the Cornell Wildlife Health Center at the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine will share their experiences from the field and the lab to illustrate how the health of wildlife and our own health are inextricably linked.

31^st Annual NAISMA Conference: Foundations for Success (North American Invasive Species Management Association)

October 16 – 19, 2023 | Lincoln, Nebraska

Hear the latest on invasive species management research and strategies from experts at three plenaries, 50+ talks, poster sessions, and special networking events at this year’s NAISMA annual conference. Conference registration includes discounted hotel rate.

Vertebrate Pest Management Needs Assessment Survey (North Carolina State University | West Virginia University Extension)

The purpose of this survey is to collect data from professionals who provide information, advice, or educational resources to their clientele on vertebrate pest management. The researchers will use the responses to learn what resources participants currently use or distribute, and determine how we can create future learning opportunities on IPM in vertebrate pest management. Target audience is extension professionals (specialists, agents/educators), state and federal wildlife agency staff, technical advisors, and other wildlife control professionals throughout the United States and its territories.

Survey to remain active until November 1, 2023

Entomology 2023: Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting (Entomological Society of America)

November 5 – 8, 2023 | National Harbor, Maryland

The theme for Entomology 2023 is Insects and Influence: Advancing Entomology's Impact on People and Policy.

Northeast Greenhouse Conference & Expo

November 8 – 9, 2023 | Manchester, New Hampshire

The biennial Northeast Greenhouse Conference & Expo is co-sponsored by New England Floriculture, a group of grower representatives from the Northeast, augmented by university and cooperative extension staff in each state who specialize in greenhouse crops and management. Typical attendees include greenhouse growers, garden centers, retailers, nurseries?, landscapers, press, allied trade, educators, and students.

Varying registration tiers available with discounted rates through September 25

Wild Spotter Invasive Species Ambassador Training Course (Invasives Free USA)

December 5 – 7, 2023 | Coeur D’Alene, Idaho | $300

This intensive training will include: building relationships and partnerships and engaging stakeholders; branding and marketing programs; using innovative tools and technologies; and leveraging volunteer citizen-science coordination, recruitment, and retention to meet invasive species management goals and expand local community capacity for action.

This gathering will have limited attendance through a merit selection process. Priority will be given to participants who can demonstrate their commitment to building invasive species management capacity within their community.

Employment Opportunities

Horticulturist (Full-time)

Cornell Botanic Gardens Mundy Wildflower Garden

Assist in the oversight of all aspects of the site management, restoration, and protection of the 25-acre Mundy Wildflower Garden, Park Park prairie restoration, and gardens at Beebe Lake in support of the Cornell Botanic Gardens mission.

Faculty Specialist – Entomology & IPM (Full-time; Ellicott City, Maryland)

University of Maryland Extension

University of Maryland Extension is seeking a faculty specialist to join its team at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center in Ellicott City, Maryland. The specialist will assist with the entomology and IPM educational programming needs of the Home and Garden Information Center, State Master Gardener Program, and county-based home horticulture faculty. Learn more or apply at https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/111894

For best consideration, apply by October 15, 2023.

Funding Opportunities

Regional IPM centers 2024 calls for proposals/requests for applications (RFAs)

North Central IPM Center: Submission deadline Friday, November 17, 2023, 5:00 p.m. Eastern
Northeastern IPM Center: Stay tuned for RFA opening
Southern IPM Center: Submission deadline Friday, November 17, 2023, 5:00 p.m. Eastern
Western IPM Center: RFA opening October 4. Submission deadline Friday, December 8, 2023, 5:00 p.m. Pacific

New York DEC Announces $3 Million in Grants Available for Invasive Species Projects (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation)

New York DEC has announced the availability of $3 million in the third round of the state’s Invasive Species Grant Program. This program is designed to advance projects that address spread prevention of both aquatic and terrestrial invasive species across the state, with awards ranging from $11,000 to $200,000.

Applications due by 3 p.m. on November 1, 2023