Scott Schlarbaum
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 - 9:30-10:00
Once exotic forest pests have become established, mitigation procedures involving control, germplasm preservation, and restoration of host and associated species come into play. Each action can require a different set of skills, human and physical resources, and even organizational mandate. Complete resolution can span decades and incur significant costs, which most organizations or agencies cannot bear alone. Multiagency, multidisciplinary approaches are needed to resolve or partially address exotic forest pest problems. Voluntary participation by private groups and individuals will be necessary due to the magnitude of landscape-level activities needed to address these problems. Increasing public awareness should be integrated into the overall strategy to address exotic forest pests. Educational programs about the impacts of these foreign pests on North America’s natural heritage and associated costs should be developed for the general public and integrated into K-12 school standards.
Keywords: GERMPLASM PRESERVATION, RESTORATION, PARTNERSHIPS