With Farm Bill funding provided by U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine, the Washington Invasive Species Council finished a new collaborative project in 2019 to improve response readiness for detections of new urban forest pests.

This work continued with funding provided by the U.S. Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program, administered through the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program. From 2020-2025, the council and partners hosted summits and workshops, while also developing new planning resources and templates.

Urban Forest Pest Readiness Playbook

Playbook

The playbook is a tool to prepare communities for potential pest outbreaks through self-assessments and recommended actions. The purpose is to close the gap in readiness and response capabilities between community leaders managing urban forests and state and federal responders.

Online Playbook Resources

The playbook contains different online resources such as a readiness contact list and planning templates. To view locations and contact information of supporting organizations, explore the readiness contact map. If you work for an organization that supports urban forest pest readiness and detection and would like to join our network, please fill out the form below.

Additional Resources

Events and Webinars

2023 Urban Forest Pest Virtual Summit

The Washington Invasive Species Council and the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Urban and Community Forestry Program held an urban forest pest virtual summit in October 2023. This event was spread out over two days and provided the opportunity for attendees to learn about current and emergent pests of concern, prevention, and management strategies. It takes everyone working together to protect Washington’s forests from invasive species. Click a given presentation title to be brought to the corresponding timepoint in the YouTube recording.

Day 1

Evan Elderbrock, Oregon Department of Forestry, Confronting the Green Menace: Planning for the Emerald Ash Borer in the Pacific Northwest  

Charles Ray, City of Vancouver, Vancouver’s Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan

Patrick Shults, Washington State University Extension Forestry, Forest Health and Pest Outreach

Jessica La Belle, Washington Invasive Species Council, Spotted Lanternfly and the Threat to Washington’s Municipalities

Corrie Podolak, Underwood Conservation District, Efforts to Control Tree of Heaven in White Salmon and Bingen

Laurel Downs, The Nature Conservancy, Don’t Move Firewood! Firewood Outreach and Resources

Day 2

Stephanie Helms, Washington Invasive Species Council, Role of Cities and Communities: Urban Forest Pest Readiness Playbook

Yolanda Inguanzo, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Response Structures

Maria Marlin, Washington Invasive Species Council, Reporting Invasive Species: See Something, Say Something

Scott Brooks, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Overview of Tree and Shrub Nursery Stock Inspection in Washington

Nathan Roueché, Washington State Department of Agriculture and Glenn Kohler, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Emerging Pests of Concern

Cassie Cichorz, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Statewide Pest Updates

Recorded Webinar

The council hosted a Webinar on “Improving Statewide Readiness and Response to Washington Forest Pest Risks” on October 29, 2019. The webinar provided an overview of Washington’s new Urban Forest Pest Readiness Playbook.

Questions?

Interested in Getting Notifications and Updates about the Project?

E-mail the Washington Invasive Species Council to get answers and stay involved. Also consider signing up for the Washington Department of Natural Resources Tree-Link Newsletter.