Early detection of exotic forest pests is critical to maintaining the health of the forest and landscape plants

The Morton Arboretum received a $110,085 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025), awarded September 17, 2025, with completion expected September 16, 2026. The award funds outreach, education, and training activities designed to increase public awareness and support for early detection and reporting of invasive forest pests of regulatory concern, including Asian Longhorned Beetle, Emerald Ash Borer, Spotted Lanternfly, and Spongy Moth across Illinois and the Midwest region.

The Arboretum will develop and deliver educational materials and training programs to establish a robust citizen-scientist network capable of identifying and reporting suspicious pest activity and plant damage. Through systematic stakeholder engagement, the project will educate the public on pest identification and proper reporting protocols to designated state points of contact. Deliverables include increased public understanding of invasive species threats and improved reporting mechanisms that enable federal and state cooperators to respond rapidly to pest discoveries, thereby supporting early eradication or containment efforts that protect forest resources, the nursery industry, forest products sector, and specialty crop operations including maple syrup production across affected regions.

Activities

This proposal is designed to deliver outreach, education, and training resulting in a continued base of citizens and organizations who can assist in scouting and reporting threatening invasive species to illinois and midwest forests. Deliverables and expected outcomes: as a result of this outreach and training, the public will become better educated about pests of concern and will better understand why and where to report suspicious pests or plant damage. All reports will be directed to the designated point of contact in the state that will respond and determine whether these reports are of concern to federal and state cooperators. Intended beneficiary(IES): this project benefits all persons who live, work or play in environments with trees. When forest insect and disease pests are found early, federal and state cooperators are often able to eradicate or reduce the spread of these threats within our natural and managed environments. Early detection and reporting of forest pests help to secure the livelihoods and quality of life of those who depend on our nation's forest resources including the nursery industry, forest product industry and other specialty crop areas including maple syrup production.subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: N/a