IPM News and Events Roundup 05/19/23
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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Check out these up-coming training opportunities for housing and pest control professionals.
Eliminate Cockroaches from Affordable Housing with Assessment-Based Pest Management
Join StopPests in Housing on June 6th, 2023, 1:00-2:15pm Eastern to hear from Virginia Tech’s pest management expert, Dr. Dini Miller, on how assessment-based pest management works and how housing professionals can use this information to improve pest control in their buildings and developments. Dr. Miller has dedicated the greater part of her career in studying and promoting effective pest management practices. She’ll share what her years of research, and field studies in public housing have revealed and why she’s certain with effort and the right tools we can eliminate most cockroach infestations even chronic infestations in homes with sanitation issues. Join us for this informative talk for housing and pest management professionals and stick around for the last 15 minutes to listen to Dr. Miller answer your questions.
Register for the webinar here.
Questions? Email stoppests@cornell.edu
In 2022, the Northeastern IPM Center launched a series of webinars to highlight and foster diversity in IPM. We have invited presenters from historically marginalized groups to discuss topics related to their research, or to share their perspectives on overcoming barriers and succeeding in their chosen profession.
Please join us for the next webinar in our series:
Promoting LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in the IPM Field: Perspectives from IPM Professionals with:
Kim Skyrm (he/him), Chief Apiary Inspector at Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and East Director for the Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA),
John McMullen (they/he), Postdoctoral Fellow at Indiana University Bloomington ,
Samantha Bosco (she/they), Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education postdoctoral fellow at National Agroforestry Center (NAC),
Mary Centrella (she/her), Director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (CCE-PSEP)
June 20, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Register at cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lytxoycDQeWn9XgEvLBDGw
To learn more, or to view recordings of past webinars in the series, visit www.northeastipm.org/ipm-in-action/deij-in-ipm/
Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases: Updated Pest Alert
The North Central IPM Center has released an updated pest alert about ticks and tick-borne diseases. Available in web page format and PDF for download.
Research
Transect-based trapping for area-wide delimitation of insects (academic.oup.com)
Typical delimitation trapping survey designs for area-wide (nonlocalized) insect populations are regularly spaced grids, and alternative shapes have not been evaluated. We hypothesized that transect-based designs could give similar detection rates with significantly shorter servicing distances. We used the TrapGrid model to investigate novel “trap-sect” designs incorporating crossed, spoked, and parallel lines of traps, comparing them to a regular grid, in single survey and multiple-site scenarios. We calculated minimum servicing distances and simulated mean probabilities of detecting a pest population, judging overall performance of trap network designs using both metrics. For single sites, trap-sect designs reduced service distances by 65–89%, and most had similar detection probabilities as the regular grid. Kernel-smoothed intensity plots indicated that the best performing trap-sect designs distributed traps more fully across the area.
Research in the News
Managing Ticks & Mosquitoes (NE1443 | 2014-2019) (mrfimpacts.org)
Multistate research has led to safe, effective, inexpensive, easy ways to control ticks, which can transmit #Lymedisease. Studies found that bait boxes with a certain fungus reduce blacklegged tick nymphs by 78-95%.
Other News
Tick Blitz: How Community Science is Helping New York State Monitor Ticks (entomologytoday.org)
Roughly 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year, alone. But, in the United States, ticks spread at least 16 different diseases to humans. And, for the last six years, the Northeast has reported the most emergency room visits from tick bites out of any region in the country.
“Right now, vector surveillance public health units are really struggling with how to monitor these ticks,” says Laura Harrington, Ph.D., a professor at the Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in Ithaca, New York. She says strategies like engaging community scientists can help officials close in on tracking ticks and the diseases they spread.
New York’s Invasive Species Awareness Week 2023
New York’s Invasive Species Awareness Week (#NYISAW) is June 5th – 11th!
The mission of the New York Invasive Species Awareness Week (NYISAW) is to promote knowledge and understanding of invasive species and the harm they can cause. We want to empower YOU to stop the spread of invasive species!
Organizations across all of New York State are offering a variety of engaging events, such as interpretive hikes, volunteer days, webinars, movie screenings, and fun family activities! By participating in NYISAW, you can help protect your community’s natural spaces, learn about the emerging invasive species, meet your neighbors, get outdoors, and even win prizes!
We hope you join us! Find an event near you below.
Hosting an event? Sign up here.
Click here to view the NYISAW events calendar!
Slightly Off the IPM Path
What is the deadliest spider in the world? (livescience.com)
Spiders are common critters. And, as almost all of Earth's 43,000 known spider species are venomous (opens in new tab), it is likely that most people have encountered a venomous spider at one point or another.
So that's the bad news. The good news, however, is that of these, only 25 species are known to have killed or caused serious harm to humans. But which spider is the deadliest?
Volunteers Needed
We are looking forward to this year’s New York State Tick Blitz event and are looking for volunteers to participate! The NYS Tick Blitz is a community-engaged project that works with volunteer participants to help determine the presence and distribution of newly invasive tick species. The project is a partnership between our NEVBD program at Cornell University and the NYS Integrated Pest Management Program. It’s a great educational opportunity for volunteers. It’s free to participate, training will be offered, and participants will learn about tick habitat, tick bite prevention, and get hands-on experience in entomological research.
This year the Tick Blitz is being held June 12 – June 23. Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to watch this short informational video. Those wanting to participate can then complete the registration form to sign-up and select which training session they will attend. For more information and to see results from previous years, please visit our website.
Requests for Input
Who should take this survey: Those working in public agencies focused on controlling disease vectors (e.g. mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, bedbugs) as a public service. Also, those who work for private companies and are contracted by public entities to control disease vectors.
Thank you for your interest in this survey distributed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Vector-borne Diseases in Fort Collins, CO. This survey aims to evaluate the capacity of vector management programs receiving public funds in the Upper?Midwest, mid-Atlantic,?Northeast, and Pacific coast in the United States to conduct tick surveillance and control, educate the public about tick-bite prevention, and assess the efficacy of tick control efforts. Survey data will allow CDC to identify barriers to the development of comprehensive tick management programs, assess the feasibility of key program components, and determine ways CDC can partner with vector control organizations to expand the tick management community of practice. We sincerely appreciate your time and effort in completing this survey. Participation in this survey is entirely voluntary. All data will be aggregated, and no personally identifiable information will be collected. Aggregated results data will be presented at professional meetings, included in peer-reviewed publications, and guide the development and enhancement of new and existing tick control programs. If you have questions or encounter errors during the survey, please contact tickcontrol@cdc.gov.
We would like to collect only one completed survey from each organization; however, we encourage groups of personnel within the organization to answer the survey together.
DISCLAIMER: Neither the authors of this survey nor CDC endorse any of the tick control or surveillance methods mentioned in this survey.
2023 Pesticide Use and Resistance Survey for the Northeast
NEVBD Pesticide Resistance Monitoring Program is asking those working in state- and county-level public health and vector control agencies in the Northeast region to complete the survey to direct their program. Your participation is essential to the continuing development of the pesticide resistance monitoring program. Please note: this survey is targeting professionals working in the Northeast region specifically.
Clicking on the link below will take you to the pesticide use and resistance survey, which should only take between 10-to-15 minutes to complete and will ask questions relevant to the following subjects:
2023 Pesticide Use and IR Monitoring Survey
The Herbicide Drift Survey aims to collect data on awareness of herbicide drift damage and herbicide-application issues. Our goal is to help both grape growers and herbicide applicators by identifying if knowledge gaps exist; if identified, these will be used as future focus points for Penn State Extension specialists.
To grape growers: To the best of your knowledge, please fill out the survey even if your vineyard is not impacted by herbicide drift.
To herbicide applicators: Please fill out the survey even if you believe your methods are not causing herbicide drift or damage to off-target plants.
Please be as detailed as possible and answer all questions that are relevant to your business.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comment on draft guidance to improve the efficiency of EPA’s Endangered Species Act (ESA) analyses for new pesticide active ingredient applications and active ingredients undergoing registration review. This guidance, when finalized, fulfills requirements outlined in the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022 (PRIA 5) and furthers goals outlined in EPA’s 2022 ESA Workplan to protect listed species from exposure to pesticides.
Among other requirements, PRIA 5 mandates that EPA develop and issue guidance to registrants regarding analyses necessary to support the evaluation of potential adverse effects from outdoor uses of pesticide products on listed species and designated critical habitat. PRIA 5 specifies that the draft guidance be available for public comment and be finalized within nine months of PRIA 5 issuance.
The draft guidance applies to:
- New conventional pesticides and biopesticides that are intended for outdoor use; and
- Existing conventional pesticides and biopesticides that are intended for outdoor use that are being reevaluated under registration review.
Although this document does not create new requirements for applicants, the recommendations in the guidance will help applicants address potential effects to listed species for new active ingredients and registration review actions. In particular, the recommendations focus on actions that applicants can voluntarily pursue to inform their proposed mitigation measures for listed species. These actions include identifying where a pesticide will be used, how species may be exposed to the pesticide, and how to select mitigation to reduce the exposure. If followed, these recommendations should expedite the FIFRA action and improve the efficiency of the overall ESA-FIFRA process.
Guidance for new uses of existing active ingredients will be made available at a later date.
The draft guidance, which incorporates lessons EPA has learned over the past several years as it has worked to implement EPA’s ESA workplan, is available for public comment in docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0281 at www.regulations.gov for 30 days.
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.
- June 2: Common Garden insects | Poison ivy management
- July 7: Pest of home berry plants | Spiders in the home
- August 4: Groundhog management | Bat exclusion
- September 1: Right plant, right place | Transplanting trees/shrubs
- 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 before our session on June 2, 2023.
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
NC RISCC spring 2023 webinar series. This virtual series aims to 1) introduce community members to different existing decision support tools to manage invasive species in a changing climate and 2) gather community input to inform the development of new tools. Advanced registration is required to attend the webinars. Register here.
Amy Wray (USGS)
June 2, 2023, 10 - 11 am MT
Tool overview: The final webinar will introduce a new system that is in development - an online portal that will house existing tools and datasets to aid invasive species management - from species distribution models to occurrence data and more. This centralized hub will facilitate early detection and rapid response to biological threats across the US.
Speaker bio:
Amy Wray is a Biologist and Technical Outreach Coordinator at the USGS Fort Collins Science Center, working on the National Early Detection Rapid Response Information System. She is originally from San Diego, CA, and completed her PhD in Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Amy was a postdoc and lab manager at the University of Wyoming before relocating to Colorado, and her previous research interests focused on wildlife disease and community ecology.
Sustainable Landscapes and Integrated Pest Management
Learn how to create a more sustainable, environmentally friendly landscape while reducing the impacts of pests during NYSIPM’s 2023 Annual Conference. Speakers will provide insight and instruction on incorporating sustainability and trusted IPM strategies to create landscapes that combine ecological, climate and societal considerations to achieve a more beautiful space with less work.
Event date: Thursday - June 15, 2023
INTEGRATED MOSQUITO MANAGEMENT UTILIZING UAVS AND ATVS (90-minute webinar)
Mosquito control districts are increasingly using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) as both monitoring tools and for applying pesticides. This webinar will explore how these technologies are evolving and becoming integrated into mosquito management programs. Federal and local experts will also discuss potential limitations and regulatory challenges with UAVs and ATVs. This webinar will provide the attendees an opportunity to obtain continuing education credits from the following state agencies and organizations: * State Lead Agencies: TBD * Organizations: TBD
Event date: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 2:00 PM - 3:45 PM EDT
State of the Science Webinar: Ecological Restoration and the Northeast Seed Network
New York Invasive Species Awareness Week (NYISAW) for our next State of the Science webinar on the topic of restoration. Our featured speakers will include James Aronson and Eve Allen of the Ecological Health Network. James Aronson is a long-time restoration practitioner with four decades of experience in the field, is a Co-Founder of the Ecological Health Network and Emeritus senior scientist at Missouri Botanical Garden. Even Allen is the Program Director of Northeast Initiatives at Ecological Health Network, where they are working to advance the science and practice of ecological restoration. We’re excited to bring together expertise on this topic, so stay tuned for details and registration in the coming weeks!
June 9 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Register here: https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pra6lyfBQwi9VpR4RNWF5w
INNOVATIVE TOOLS IN MOSQUITO CONTROL – UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (105-minute webinar)
Pesticide applicators are increasingly using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as both pest monitoring tools and for applying pesticides. This free webinar will explore how these technologies are evolving and becoming integrated into mosquito management programs. Federal and local experts will also discuss potential limitations and regulatory challenges with UAVs. This webinar will provide the attendees an opportunity to obtain continuing education credits from the following state agencies and organizations: Tuesday May 23rd, 2023, 2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
How to manage spider mites in tomatoes with predatory mites Tom Bilbo, Clemson University; James Walgenbach, North Carolina State University | May 24, 2023
Bilingual Pesticide Labeling National Webinar
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a public webinar on Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm EST to obtain input from the public on ways to make bilingual pesticide labeling accessible to farmworkers as required by the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022 (PRIA 5).
The majority of our nation’s two million farmworkers speak Spanish. This effort will advance environmental justice by ensuring those farmworkers have access to important health and safety information on pesticide labels in their native language. During the webinar, EPA will provide a brief overview of the PRIA 5 requirements on bilingual pesticide labeling and milestones. PRIA 5 amended the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, requiring Spanish language translation for key health and safety sections of the end-use pesticide product labels where the translation is available in the EPA Spanish Translation Guide for Pesticide Labeling. The Spanish language translation must appear on the pesticide product container or on a link to the translation via scannable technology or other electronic methods readily accessible on the product label. These translations are required on a rolling schedule from December 2025 to December 2030 depending on the type of product and the toxicity category. PRIA 5 also requires EPA to begin to seek stakeholder input on ways to make bilingual pesticide labeling accessible to farmworkers by June 30, 2023, and to implement a plan to ensure that farmworkers have access to the bilingual pesticide labeling by December 2025.
As EPA determines the next steps in developing a plan to make bilingual pesticide labels accessible to farmworkers, the Agency is interested in feedback on the following items.
- What communication approaches, processes or strategies should the Agency consider to ensure bilingual pesticide labels are accessible to farmworkers?? What specific approaches should the Agency avoid or adopt when implementing efforts to best ensure access by farmworkers to bilingual pesticide labels?
- What technologies, mobile applications, and internet access should the Agency consider? Would web-based labels be accessible to farmworkers? How should the Agency overcome internet connectivity issues that some farmworkers may face?
- How can the Agency effectively share health and safety information on pesticide labels with farmworkers? What should on-the-ground logistics look like? Which entities (e.g., community-based organizations) should the Agency work with to provide label information to farmworkers?
- As the Agency implements actions to meet this requirement, how can EPA effectively increase farmworker access to bilingual pesticide labels (e.g., communication plans, outreach strategies)?
Attendees have two options for webinar participation – listen only or listen and speak during the webinar to provide recommendations to EPA. Speakers will have up to three minutes to provide recommendations to the Agency depending on the number of participants interested in providing remarks. Speakers must register for the event by Friday, June 9th. Attendees can register any time until the start of the webinar as a listen only participant.
Following the webinar, EPA will open a comment period for 60 days through a Federal Register Notice to obtain written input on ways to make bilingual pesticide labeling accessible to farmworkers. Further information about the public docket will be provided during the event and in future EPA announcements.
Stakeholders are encouraged to share this announcement with their networks. This webinar will be held in English with Spanish and American Sign Language interpretation services.
Save these Dates for upcoming IR-4 Events
2023 Environmental Horticulture Workshop
The 2023 EHC Priority Setting Workshop will be held October 12-14 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The 2023 Food Use Workshop will be held September 12 – 14 in Raleigh, NC.
2023 Industry Technology Session
The 2023 Industry Technology Session will take place virtually on Thursday, July 20.
Employment Opportunities
Greenhouse Supervisor, Cornell Agricultural Experiment Station
Cornell University
The Cornell Agricultural Experiment Station (Cornell AES) is dedicated to sustainable "science for life," in its two-core separate but related functions -- the operation of world-class research facilities throughout the state and the generation and application of research-based knowledge through the administration of federal formula grants.
The Cornell AES greenhouse operations on and around the Cornell Campus are, with 127,000 square feet, the largest non-commercial greenhouse facility in the state. The 146 compartments are primarily used as teaching and research facilities, housing 300 to 400 research projects at any given time. Plant services for all these projects are provided by the dedicated greenhouse staff, which is responsible for the setup, daily care, and maintenance.
Assistant Extension Specialist
Rutgers University
The Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics invites qualified candidates to apply for a tenure-track faculty position as an Assistant Extension Specialist (equivalent to Assistant Professor) in Farm Viability. This is a 12-month tenure track position, housed in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics. The Assistant Extension Specialist will hold a majority appointment in Rutgers Cooperative Extension and is expected to be an active member of the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics. The successful candidate is expected to develop and lead externally funded research and extension programs that support and strengthen the viability of New Jersey farms, spanning different scales, commodities, and production systems. The expected outcomes are identifying needs and providing program outreach to underserved farmers and agricultural constituencies. Programmatic emphases will include sustainable agricultural production, diversified farming systems, climate resilience, feasibility analysis, farm management and business decision-making, and the development of marketing strategies. In addition, the Specialist is expected to participate in undergraduate and/or graduate teaching and advisement of independent research projects in the field of expertise.
The SARE Fellows program provides an immersive educational experience for participants to enhance their understanding of sustainable agriculture through broad-based training and interpersonal interactions at unique agriculture operations nationwide. Participating Fellows build professional relationships, improve their teaching and technology transfer skills, and are better prepared to develop programs that meet the needs of their local agricultural communities.
Program Details
The Fellows program is a two-year commitment and participants are selected on a competitive basis. Each year, one individual from each of the four SARE regions is chosen resulting in a total of eight Fellows participating in any given year.
State-based study tours are the core of the program. The tours are three to four days long and are held every spring and fall. They occur in each region on a rotating schedule, so that each Fellow visits all four regions during their two-year program. Specific dates are chosen by the host state with input from the participants. Selected Fellows agree to participate in all four study tours over the two-year period.
After completing the program, the graduating class of Fellows facilitates a “Reading the Farm” super seminar and farm tour at the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) annual meeting.
All travel, meal, and lodging expenses will be covered by the program. Additionally, participants receive a complete SARE library and are eligible for a $1,500 stipend after successful completion of all four study tours. Stipends must be used for program support in their own professional outreach activities, which will require a plan of work and final report.
For more information see SARE Fellows Program Eligibility and Application.
Mountain Top Arboretum (MTA), in Tannersville, NY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - The Mountain Top Arboretum (MTA), in Tannersville, NY seeks an energetic, entrepreneurial, mission-driven professional to become MTA’s next Executive Director (ED). Working closely with its engaged and dedicated Board of Directors and in collaboration with the Director of Horticulture & Environmental Stewardship, the new ED will be responsible for advancing the organization financially, strategically, programmatically, administratively, and operationally. This is an outstanding opportunity for a professional who is committed to excellence in nonprofit organizational leadership; who has the vision to leverage our strong organization and drive it to the next stage of growth and long-term sustainability; and who is passionate about horticulture/public gardens, education, environmental stewardship, and the Catskills. Critical priorities for this role include: 1) assuring the Arboretum’s long-term financial health and sustainability through robust fundraising, donor stewardship, and the development of new revenue streams; 2) enthusiastically implementing MTA’s recently-adopted Strategic Plan; 3) guiding the day-to-day administration as well as growing the organization’s staffing and programmatic capacity consistent with the anticipated growth of financial resources; 4) creating synergies and partnerships, with other organizations, that amplify MTA’s local and regional impact; 5) advancing our position as a cultural and educational asset to the Mountain Top community and an organizational jewel in the greater Catskills crown. We seek a candidate who embraces our vision, mission, and values; who will champion the Arboretum with leadership excellence and unquestioned integrity.
The Suffolk County Water Authority is seeking an Ecological Field Specialist to assist with the planning and implementation of ecological management and stewardship activities and projects in the Central Pine Barrens that foster biological diversity, natural resource conservation, water resource protection, and ecosystem protection and restoration, and the implementation of a scientific ecological research program.
University of Georgia
UGA-Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health-Tifton Campus
Post-Doctoral Associate
BASE ANNUAL SALARY: $53,000
GENERAL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS:
This Postdoctoral Research Associate position will work on mapping and modeling invasive and potentially invasive species to North America as part of a U.S. Forest Service funded project. This grant-funded position is initially funded for 19 months and could be extended if additional funding is available. The primary work will be utilizing distribution data from EDDMapS (www.eddmaps.org) and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (www.gbif.org) to model and map species distribution with variables of current and future climate, current land cover, and human population density. The position will be located in the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health and will work closely with the Center faculty and staff.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Doctorate in a relevant discipline (e.g., invasive species, forestry, natural resource management, ecology, entomology, weed science) with expertise in data management and geospatial analysis, particularly as it relates to species modeling and distribution. Candidates will demonstrate and be committed to thriving in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment and conceptualize, implement, and develop high quality/high impact interdisciplinary products.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in geospatial analysis, spatial data management, developing data visualizations and a working knowledge of coding geospatial operations (in R, Python, or other). Understand and synthesize knowledge across disciplines.
Assistant Director, Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources, Associate or Full Professor
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University Extension Assistant Director, Agriculture and Natural Resources program leader is responsible for the leadership and administration of the Ohio State University Extension's Agriculture and Natural Resources program area. The Assistant Director Agriculture and Natural Resources is responsible for the leadership of Ohio State University Extension's Agriculture and Natural Resources program area. This includes overall direction of educational programming within and across Ohio's 88 counties. The Assistant Director reports to the Director of OSU Extension and serves as a member of OSU Extension's Administrative Cabinet. Specifically, the Assistant Director provides leadership and direction for Agriculture and Natural Resources programming with emphasis on program and curriculum development; applied research; identifying potential collaboration and partnerships with universities, colleges, departments, peer agencies and industry partners; securing funding to support related activities; administrative leadership for the state Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources office; and professional development of faculty and staff.
The UMass Extension Agriculture Program has five Extension Educator positions open. If you want to use science to help Massachusetts farmers be more successful and sustainable, please apply for one or more of these opportunities to join our team! The default location for all positions is the UMass Amherst campus, with opportunities for hybrid work arrangements. Candidates who wish to be considered for more than one of the above positions need to apply for each position individually.
1 and 2. The UMass Extension Fruit Team is currently hiring one Extension Educator III (MS-level) and one Extension Educator II (BS-level). The successful candidate for the Educator III position will have expertise in tree or small fruit crop and pest management and will work with other members of the Fruit Team to provide science-based educational programming and technical assistance to commercial fruit growers in MA, and conduct applied research on relevant crop and pest management topics. Special consideration will be given to candidates with expertise in plant pathology and/or small fruit production. The Extension Educator II, which is a 24-month appointment that may be extended pending funding availability, will provide program support for the Fruit Team, assisting with educational programming, organizing grower meetings, contributing to publication of newsletters, and assisting with applied research trials. For more details please see the full position descriptions linked below.
Fruit Extension Educator III
https://careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-us/job/518181/fruit-extension-educator-iii-umass-extension
Fruit Extension Educator II
https://careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-us/job/518182/fruit-extension-educator-ii-umass-extension
3. Extension Educator III Production Agriculture
https://careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-us/job/518183/extension-educator-iii-production-agriculture
The UMass Extension Vegetable and Fruit Teams are hiring an Extension Educator III to provide cross-commodity educational programming and technical assistance for commercial vegetable and fruit growers in MA, and conduct applied research. Special consideration will be given to candidates with expertise in weed biology and management, but other cross-cutting disciplines, for example climate change and technology, will be considered. This is a 24-month appointment that may be extended pending funding availability. For more details please see the full position descriptions linked below.
4. Soil Health Extension Educator IV
https://careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-us/job/518166/extension-educator-iv-soil-health-umass-extension
The UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Lab is hiring a Soil Health Educator IV who will develop and deliver recommendations to customers and educational resources relevant to soil fertility and health, with potential for some applied research projects. They will collaborate with Extension professionals across multiple teams in production agriculture, commercial horticulture, and urban agriculture. This is a MS-level position requiring significant experience, with a preference for candidates with expertise in analytical testing and practical recommendations in soil fertility and health. This is a 24-month appointment that may be extended pending funding availability. For more details please see the full position descriptions linked below.
5. Urban Agriculture Extension Educator III
UMass Extension is hiring an Urban Agriculture Educator III to join a recently hired Urban Agriculture Educator based in Newton and a soon-to-be hired Extension Faculty member at the Stockbridge School of Agriculture. The Educator will develop and deliver educational resources to support agricultural enterprises in urban areas of Massachusetts and maintain working relationships with organizations and professionals in urban agriculture and linked fields. Successful candidates will have at least a BA/BS and three years of relevant professional experience, in addition to strong multi-cultural competence and experience delivering fact-based information. This is a 24-month appointment that may be extended pending funding availability. Alternate UMass locations in Massachusetts can be discussed with the preferred candidate. For more details please see the full position descriptions linked below.
Restoration Planting Specialist
NYC Department of Environmental Protection
The Bureau of Water Supply seeks to hire a City Planner II for a position with Invasive Species Program, 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.
Post-Doctoral Associate Position
Shrewsbury Lab - Biological Control / IPM
Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Position Summary: This position addresses the use of natural enemies (including pathogens) in the biological control of the invasive spotted lanternfly (SLF, Lycorma delicatula) in urban environments. The project is part of a collaborative effort with USDA and other university researchers with opportunities for networking and Extension. The incumbent will also participate in the statistical analysis and publication of existing data sets.
Required Qualifications: Ph.D. in entomology, sustainable pest management, biological control, insect pathology, or a closely related field; demonstrated strong statistical and writing skills; evidence of a publication record; ability to work independently; driver’s license; and be able to do physical field work.
Responsibilities: The incumbent will be responsible for: 1) designing research protocols and conducting lab and field experiments on the biological control of SLF using pathogens, 2) data management, 3) supervising undergraduate students, 4) statistical analysis and publication of on-going research projects, and 5) presenting results at professional and extension meetings.
Duration: 12 months, full time position with benefits.
Review of applicants will begin immediately and the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. Preferred start date as soon as possible.
Application Process: Email to Dr. Paula Shrewsbury at pshrewsbury@umd.edu: 1) a cover letter that includes your research and extension qualifications and interests, including your statistical and writing experience; 2) CV; 3) 1-2 representative publications, and 4) contact information for 3 references.
Integrated Pest Management Area Advisor (Applied Research and Extension) 22-26
The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) offers a unique recruitment opportunity for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) IPM Area Advisor. UC ANR operates a statewide network of researchers and educators dedicated to the development and application of knowledge to address local agricultural, environmental and health issues. Over 150 UC ANR UCCE advisors conduct research, outreach and education from locally based CE offices serving all 58 counties from 70+ locations throughout the state. By working and living among those we serve, UC ANR expands the University of California’s reach to engage all people and communities in California, ensuring equal access to the UC system.
Location Headquarters. UCCE El Dorado County Office, Placerville, CA
Purpose: The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Area Advisor will implement a dynamic applied research and extension outreach program addressing sustainable management for a wide range of pests and abiotic plant disorders affecting the diverse small farm cropping systems and associated grower communities found within the region.
Closing Date: To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by May 23, 2023
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)
About the Natural Resources and Lands Management Division - The Natural Resources and Lands Management (NRLM) Division within the Water Enterprise of the SFPUC is responsible for the management of approximately 61,000 acres of Bay Area watershed lands under SFPUC ownership as well as 150 miles of utility right-of-way. NRLM Division is responsible for managing, protecting, restoring, and monitoring the ecological resources on these lands and environmental compliance for the operations and maintenance of the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System which serves 2.7 million customers. We are committed to responsible natural resources management that protects and restores viable populations of native species and maintains the integrity of the ecosystems that support them for current and future generations. We strive to become a leader in science-based and collaborative environmental stewardship in order to continue providing high-quality and reliable water supplies to our customers.
About the Position- Under general supervision, the Integrated Pest Management Specialist inspects trees, shrubs, grass, rights of way (roads, flood control channels, transportation corridors, lots, landscaping and easements, etc.), bodies of water and structures for evidence of various pests and related damage, and takes appropriate steps to resolve problems. The position manages pests using biological, cultural, mechanical, physical and chemical controls with emphasis on the least toxic approach.
Application Opening Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2023
• Application Filing Deadline: Friday, June 2, 2023 at 11:59PM (PDT)
• Recruitment ID: PBT-3424-132591/ RTF0132510-01114884
• Location: 100 San Andreas Valley Road, Burlingame, CA 94011
Postdoctoral Research Scientist-Horticulture/Plant Science
Penn State’s Department of Plant Science (https://plantscience.psu.edu/) is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scholar to conduct research and Extension activities on Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD) within the framework of a collaborative interdisciplinary project funded by the USDA-NIFA OREI program and investigating the use of ASD for Enhancing and Advancing the Sustainability of Organic Crop Production.
Using agronomic and laboratory procedures for soil and plant analysis, the primary goal of the research will be to optimize and evaluate opportunities for integrating ASD in organic vegetable and strawberry crop systems and assess the short- and long-term impact of ASD on nutrient dynamics, soil ecology/microbiology, soilborne pests and pathogens, soil health, crop physiology and yield and quality performance.
The candidate will be supervised by Dr. Francesco Di Gioia and will be working with an interdisciplinary team of researchers with expertise in horticulture, soil microbiology, plant pathology, nematology, biogeochemistry, ecosystem science and management, and agricultural economics.
Location: Primary work location will be Penn State, University Park located at State College, in Central Pennsylvania.
Field Technician for Classical Biological Control Projects
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry: Plant Health Programs
Contract Position, Application Deadline: May 22, 2023
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is looking to fill a single position for contracted work for a total of 640 hours of work to be completed between June and October 2023. During the majority of the season, 40-hour work weeks will be the typical schedule, however, the position allows for some flexibility and would be an excellent opportunity for a student looking for full-time summer employment with some part-time flexible work into the fall. The technician will be working on two classical biological control projects. The first project focuses on controlling the invasive black swallowwort plant by introducing a caterpillar species (Hypena opulenta), continuing from previous work in 2022. The second project will be a collaboration with the laboratories of Dr. Phil Fanning and Dr. David Handley at the University of Maine to expand releases of a parasitoid wasp (Ganapsis brasiliensis) for the control of the invasive spotted winged drosophila. Both projects offer field and laboratory experiences with both entomology and horticulture. The successful candidate will assist in selecting sites and servicing sites weekly, aiding in the rearing and releasing of organisms, keeping records and manage data. Work will be based in Augusta, Maine, with some opportunities for telework. Some statewide travel is expected. If interested, please email a cover letter and resume or C.V. to Hillary Peterson (hillary.peterson@maine.gov).
Specialist - Outreach-Fixed Term
Michigan State University
The Department of Entomology at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a full?time, 12 month fixed-term Academic Specialist with a 100% outreach assignment. The position start date is anticipated to be 1 July 2023. Funding is available for this position for up to three years, renewable based on program performance.
The Pesticide Safety Education Program Coordinator (PSEP) position promotes responsible decision-making and actions to protect pesticide users, public, plant and animal health, and the environment. They offer information, training, and resources for pesticide applicators and the general public. To achieve these goals, the PSEP Coordinator is expected to work closely with partners in the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), Michigan State University Extension, and industry interest groups. The PSEP Coordinator is expected to be the go-to resource within Michigan on the safe use of pesticides and to provide programing on pesticide, integrated pest management (IPM), health, safety and environmental education for the public. The audience includes growers, pest control professionals, public land managers, Master Gardeners, and others. The PSEP Coordinator is responsible for maintaining updated pesticide training manuals and materials, and they are expected to engage with relevant regulatory agencies to maintain a strong understanding of pesticide regulations. They are also expected to communicate and collaborate with PSEP Coordinators in other states through regional and national education interest groups and professional societies such as AAPSE (American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators).
A key focus area for the incoming PSEP Coordinator will be to engage with a diversity of audiences, including those that have been historically underserved. The PSEP Coordinator will be expected to be innovative and creative when developing new training programs and materials and will be encouraged to seek external funding to support these efforts. The incoming PSEP Coordinator will also be expected to facilitate technology adoption by target audiences for training and to build capacity for new technology use within MSU and partner agencies.
In addition, the PSEP Coordinator is encouraged to be a collaborative member of project teams within the Entomology and other allied departments at MSU when expertise in safe pesticide use and education is needed.
Review of applications begins June 1st, 2023
WNY PRISM Education and Outreach Assistant
The Western New York Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (WNY PRISM)
The WNY PRISM Education and Outreach Assistant will work closely with WNY PRISM staff and partners to implement and expand our education, outreach and community science programs, and will report directly to the WNY PRISM Community Science and Engagement Program Manager. Education efforts are essential to the success of the partnership and are integrated into nearly all aspects of WNY PRISM’s work. The selected candidate will help maintain the WNY PRISM social media accounts and Listserv, update and develop invasive species educational materials, prepare e-newsletters, organize and lead education events, maintain detailed records, and communicate with partners. In addition, the Education and Outreach Assistant will assist with invasive species management activities such as invasive species surveys, removal and habitat restoration projects, as needed. WNY PRISM seeks highly motivated candidates with the education and experience necessary to succeed.
WNY PRISM is a supportive and collaborative environment that will provide the opportunity to learn and work within all aspects of invasive species management. Individuals will gain valuable experience and increase their skill level in the fields of public outreach and education, program development, materials development, volunteer coordination, and invasive species management.
This is a full-time, temporary position (40 hours/week @ $17.00/hour), which starts as soon as possible and continues through September 22, 2023. The E&O Assistant will work Tuesday – Saturday, with Sunday/Monday off.
Position is open until filled and review of applications will begin immediately.
Funding Opportunities
NYS DEC 2022 - Urban and Community Forestry Grants Program
This grant is now open, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and in the order received until funds are exhausted. See the Request for Applications (RFA) (PDF) for detailed information. The December 9, 2022 information session is now available to view. This is a special grant opportunity made possible in part by federal and state funds. (Information on Round 16 of the regular Urban and Community Forestry Grant will be updated below as dates are finalized.) Up to $350,000 will be available for Tree Planting in Disadvantaged Communities after Ash Loss. The November 9th information webinar was recorded. (Please note that the presentation starts at about 14 minutes in to the recording.) Eligible applicants include NYS Municipalities, Indian nations, or tribes, and 501(c)(3) not-for-profit (NFP) corporations.
Application Deadline:
2:00 pm, Tuesday, May 30, 2023, or when funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first.
This is a Big One! Applications for IRA-Funded UCF Grants Now Open, Close June 1
At an event today in New Jersey, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced more than $1 billion in grants to increase equitable access to trees and green spaces in urban and community forests where more than 84% of Americans live, work and play. The grant funding is available to community-based organizations, tribes, state and municipal governments, nonprofit partners, universities, and other eligible groups as they work to increase tree cover in urban spaces and boost equitable access to nature.
Along with the open grant funding opportunity, the Forest Service is providing up to $250 million to states and territories to further their competitive grant efforts to support urban communities through equitable access to trees and the benefits they provide.
This funding is made possible through investments from the Inflation Reduction Act.
Applications for the competitive grant opportunity are being accepted from April 12, 2023 to June 1, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
For information on how to apply for federal Urban and Community Forestry grants, visit the Forest Service website, or www.grants.gov using the opportunity number USDA-FS-2023-UCF-IRA-01. https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=USDA-FS-2023-UCF-IRA-01 For more information on funding to states and territories, visit the state allocations webpage. To learn how to apply for state or territory-administered subgrants, contact local state forestry agencies.