Natural History Wanderings

A series of webinars on Invasive Species, Post-Disturbance Restoration, and Fire x Fauna

Connecting Research with the Nation’s Forest and Grassland Managers

What: The SCIENCEx webinar series brings together scientists and land management experts from across U.S. Forest Service research stations and beyond to explore the latest science and best practices for addressing large natural resource challenges across the country.

These webinars will be primarily management focused, but with applicability for participants from across sectors. SCIENCEx will typically be organized as week-long webinar ‘blitzes’ around salient topics, allowing for deep-dives into subtopics or dynamics within specific geographies.

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Upcoming Webinars

SCIENCE x Invasive Species

When: February 22-26, 2021 – 12:30-1:30 Pacific / 1:30-2:30 Mountain / 2:30-3:30 Central / 3:30-4:30 Eastern

Where:  Adobe Connect link.

Schedule:

FEBRUARY 22: SCIENCEx Invasive Tree Pests and Pathogens

• Threats, Impacts, and Management of Invasive Species With Highlights on Developing an Integrated Management Program for Emerald Ash Borer, presented by Therese Poland
• What is a Hemlock woolly adelgid, and who is eating them? presented by Nathan Havill
• Forest Health Monitoring for Pests and Pathogens of Trees, presented by Ryan Blaedow

FEBRUARY 23: SCIENCEx Invasive Tree Diseases

• White pine blister rust in a changing climate: investigating complex interactions to develop strategies to restore and sustain mountain-top ecosystems, presented by Anna Schoettle
• Patterns and Impacts of Rapid Ohia Death in Hawaii’s Native Forests: Science-Based Management Approaches, presented by Flint Hughes
• Thirty Years of Sudden Oak Death: The Consequences of a Pathogen Invasion, presented by Susan Frankel

FEBRUARY 24: SCIENCEx Invasive Aquatics

• Biosecurity Priorities to Forestall Amphibian Chytrid Transmission, presented by Deanna ‘Dede’ Olson
• Detecting Aquatic Invaders with eDNA: Challenges and Opportunities, presented by Brooke Penaluna
• Recognized and Unrecognized Effects of Invasive Bivalves on Native Freshwater Mussels, presented by Wendell Haag

FEBRUARY 25: SCIENCEx Invasive Animals & Animal Pathogens

• A One Health (Ecosystems Health) Approach to Managing Invasive Animals and Animal Pathogens, presented by Patrice ‘Patty’ Klein
• White Nose Syndrome, presented by Sybill Amelon
• Barred Owl Range Expansion in western North America: Ecological Impacts and Conservation Lessons, presented by John Keane

FEBRUARY 26: SCIENCEx Invasive Plants

• Cheatgrass Impacts and Management Options in Western U.S. Ecosystems, presented by Ali Urza and Brice Hanberry
• Impacts of Invasive Cogongrass on Private and Public land: Prevention and Control Strategies, presented by Rima Lucardi
• Ventenata Invasion in the Western U.S.: Using Remote Sensing & Model Output to Understand Invasion Risk, presented by Becky K. Kerns

SCIENCE x Post-Disturbance Restoration

When: April 5-9, 2021 – 11-12 Pacific / 12-1 Mountain / 1-2 Central / 2-3 Eastern
Where:  Adobe Connect link.

Schedule:

April 5: SCIENCE x Fire Disturbance (day 1)

• Understanding Post Wildfire Management Effects on Stand Structure and Woody Fuel Loadings, presented by Morris Johnson
• Where to Intervene in Wildfire-Altered Forests in California, presented by Jonathan Long
• Fire-Catalyzed Forest Conversions: Causes, Consequences, and Potential Paths Forward, presented by Sean Parks

April 6: SCIENCE x Fire Disturbance (day 2)

• What Do We Do Now? Extending Forest Restoration to Post-Fire Management in Dry Coniferous Forests, presented by Dave W. Peterson
• Fire Severity in California’s Klamath Mountains: Drivers and Land Management Implications, presented by Stacy Drury
• A Demonstration of the Climate Smart Restoration Tool, a User-Friendly Seed Transfer Mapping Tool for Current and Future Climates, presented by Bryce Richardson

April 7: SCIENCE x Flood Disturbance and Erosion

• Title TBD, presented by Keith Nislow
• Dirt Goes Downhill: Predicting and Mitigating Watershed Response After Wildfires,presented by Peter R. Robichaud
• Impacts of Floods on Forest Restoration and Conservation in the Southern U.S., presented by Ge Sun

April 8: SCIENCE x Insect Disturbance

• Forest Health Monitoring and Insect Disturbances in the Southeast U.S., presented by Chris Asaro
• Near and Long-Term Southern Pine Beetle Outbreak Forecasts: Advances in Forest Science, presented by Steve McNulty
• Bark Beetles in an Era of Megadisturbance: Reducing Impacts and Facilitating Recovery, presented by Chris Fettig and Jackson Audley

April 9: SCIENCE x Wind Disturbance

• Microtopography and Tree Regen in Northern Hardwoods: Research Results and Ideas for Management, presented by Christel Kern
• A Primer on Wind Disturbance in Southern Forests: Unanswered Questions and Management Considerations, presented by JT Vogt
• Silver Linings Playbook: How Windthrow and Salvage Logging can Promote Biodiversity, presented by Alex Royo

Past Webinars

Fire x Fauna

The Fire x Fauna series, held November 16-19, 2020, explored the effects of wildfire and prescribed fire on wildlife in the United States. Covering ecosystems and fire management practices across a wide range of geographies, speakers presented research and best practices for balancing wildlife conservation and forest management goals. Recorded webinars are available here.