Early detection of exotic forest pests is critical for vermont's health of forest and landscape plants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the University of Vermont a $135,038 Cooperative Agreement on September 1, 2026, to conduct an early detection and public outreach program targeting exotic forest pests that threaten Vermont's ecological and economic health.

The award funds activities to enhance early detection of high-priority invasive pests including spotted lanternfly, Asian longhorned beetle, European cherry fruit fly, and box tree moth through expanded outreach to new audiences and broader cross-sections of Vermonters and visitors. Deliverables include training forest pest first detectors, coordinating education and outreach activities on invasive pests, producing a three-part video series on high-priority pests for regional news stations and YouTube, and increasing public awareness of VTInvasives.org as the central reporting location for suspect invasive pests. The program aims to increase the likelihood that the public will look for and report suspicious pests, thereby reducing potential impact to Vermont's maple, fruit, and forest industries and minimizing management and control costs associated with new infestations.

The period of performance runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, with all work performed in Vermont. The Cooperative Agreement is classified as assistance funding rather than a procurement contract, reflecting the partnership model between the federal agency and the recipient institution.

Activities

FY26 plan will enhance opportunities for early detection of high priority pests through new methods that will expand the outreach to new audiences. Targeted pests include the spotted lanternfly (SLF), asian longhorned beetle (ALB), european cherry fruit fly (ECFF), box tree moth (BTM) and other significant threats to vermont's ecological and economic health. Activities will focus on expanding outreach to a broader to include a wider cross-section of vermonters and visitors and increasing public awareness of vtinvasives.ORG as the central location for reporting suspect invasive pests. This will increase the likelihood that the public will look for and report suspicious pests, reducing the potential impact to vermont's maple, fruit, and forest industries. Forest pest outreach and detection program will include training of new forest pest first detectors (FPFDS), coordinate FPFDS education and outreach activities on invasive pests, produce a three-part video series on high-priority pests on regional news station and youtube, and increase the presence of staff and forest pest first detectors (FPFDS) at new public events. Plans also include updating the vtinvasives.ORG event booths and educational materials and install informational signage at six highway welcome and information centers about reporting suspect pests to vtinvasives.ORG. Collaborate with the national do not move firewood campaign to coordin ATE in-state messaging and outreach campaigns. Deliverables and expected outcomes: the plan's expected results include improved probability for early detection of forest pest infestations throughout vermont, sharing of resources/information between stakeholders on outreach methods, and detection of quarantine pests resulting in management and/or eradication of smaller infestations and reduced damage to natural areas and urban forests. Also, the project will development of a broader audience awareness of forest pests. Education activities to include public and private individuals, and groups engagement to look for and report suspect finds of forest pests. Educate the public about the importance of not moving firewood. Planning and management will encourage landowners and municipalities to be aware of the forest resources within their oversight. Educate landowners and municipalities about the varying state and federal programs for each of these pests. Increased sharing of resources and information between stakeholders on outreach methods and effectiveness. Development of innovative methods of public outreach with a broader audience awareness of forest pests. Intended beneficiary(IES): results from these samples will be provided to the state plant health director, plant health supervisor, state entom ologist and state survey coordinator. Outreach content to be included on vtinvasives.ORG. Also benefiting, will be master gardeners, the citizens of vermont and the state's visitors who enjoy outdoor recreation and activities. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: N/a. Cost categories: personnel: $59 ,846, fringe benefits: $33,155; travel: $1,340; equipment: $1,200; supplies: 2,300; other: $16,948; indirect costs: $20,249