Expand recovery efforts for parasitoids of emerald ASH borer in the northeast and mid-atlantic r egions and determine the impact of parasitoid releases on forest recovery

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a cooperative agreement totaling $196,989 to the University of Maryland, College Park on September 1, 2026, to expand recovery efforts for parasitoids of emerald ash borer in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions and evaluate the impact of parasitoid releases on forest recovery.

The recipient will deploy traps, collect and identify parasitoids of emerald ash borer, and update recovery records. The recipient will also use previously developed models and databases to predict regions where parasitoid recovery efforts are needed and determine whether parasitoids are having a positive impact on forest stand recovery. Deliverables include parasitoid recovery records, maps for stakeholders showing high-priority sites for recovery efforts, and analyses on how parasitoid establishment affects forest health and recovery. The work supports the Plant Protection and Quarantine program's emerald ash borer biological control initiative by evaluating program effectiveness and providing guidance on where additional recovery efforts are needed nationally.

The period of performance runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, with work performed at the University of Maryland's College Park, Maryland campus.

This will help plant protection and quarantine evaluate the impact of parasitoid releases against emerald ASH borer in these regions. Activities to be performed: the recipient will deploy traps, collect and identify parasitoids of emerald ASH borer, and update recovery records. The recipient will also utilize previously developed models and databases to predict regions where parasitoid recovery efforts are needed, and determine whether parasitoids are having a positive impact on forest stand recovery. Deliverables and expected outcomes: expected deliverables include parasitoid recovery records, maps for stakeholders showing high-priority sites for recovery efforts, and analyses to determine how parasitoid establishment affects forest health and recovery. Intended beneficiary(IES): plant protection and quarantine's emerald ASH borer biological control program will benefit from this work, as IT will allow for evaluation of the program and will provide guidance for where in the country more recovery efforts are needed.