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Extension’s early detection and management of forest invasive species program shared at an international conference
By Angela Gupta
2017 Scholarship Recipient
Trip to Freiburg, Germany IUFRO (International Union
of Forest Research Organizations) 125th Anniversary Congress was wonderful! One
of my goals was to better understand how the UMN Extension's nationally
recognized programming related to volunteers, citizen science and invasive
species ranks at a world level. During the conference, I realized we are a
world leader! Further, I have already brought some of the ideas and goals
issued at the IUFRO back to Extension's Fall Conference, and the Extension
Invasive Species Community of Practice. I've followed-up with two other IUFRO
presenters that will hopefully lead to additional work (hopefully an academic
paper published together and a new 3D printed model of a new invasive species.)
The challenge to the presenters and the audience in my
session was to work on invasive species at a global level. Invasive species
impact the whole world. I think UMN Extension is well positioned to take
leadership at an international level. I hope to work towards that goal; which
should ultimately reduce the introduction, spread and negative impacts of
invasive species to ecosystems and human health.
During this trip and IUFRO conference I gave an oral
presentation titled: Empowering volunteers in early detection and management of
forest invasive species using 3D printed models, online tracking systems and
UAVs. That led to a networking dinner with the other session speakers;
follow-up contacts that are already talking about jointly publishing this work
and our ideas; and I've incorporated the global impact model that was presented
into UMN Extension's conversations about invasives at the 2017 UMN Extension Fall
Conference in Brooklyn Park.
In addition, I visited several of Freiburg's green and
sustainable projects and neighborhoods for ideas that could be incorporated
into Rochester’s growth and development. I met with Rochester's Sustainability
Coordinator on 10-16-17 during which we talked about Freiburg's efforts and how
some of those ideas could be used in Rochester.
It was great trip and conference! Thank you for
helping me to make it happen!
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