This project will double the capacity to survey, identify, and detect forest pests, diseases, and invasive plants across michigan to prevent and reduce impacts to forests, increasing forest health and…

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service R9-Eastern Region awarded the Michigan Department of Natural Resources $750,772 under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance program (CFDA 10.664) on June 16, 2026, to double the capacity to survey, identify, and detect forest pests, diseases, and invasive plants across Michigan. The award will enable earlier identification of forest pests, resulting in smaller treatment acres and more cost-effective control options. The funded work includes developing invasive plant data and survey tools for DNR staff and citizen science platforms for invasive species identification in Michigan, with increased collaboration, training, and communication with partners to develop and communicate management strategies for prevention and control of invasive pests affecting maple, pine, oak, beech, and diverse understory tree species. Performance occurs in Michigan with a period ending May 26, 2031.

This project will double the capacity to survey, identify, and detect forest pests, diseases, and invasive plants across michigan to prevent and reduce impacts to forests, increasing forest health and productivity. This will allow earlier identification of forest pests, resulting in smaller treatment acres and more cost effective control options, overall improving their ability to prevent, slow the spread, and manage the forest pests, diseases, and invasive plants. Invasive plant data will be included in their invasive plant data and survey tool for internal staff to use and these data will inform citizen science platforms for invasive species identification in michigan. This will also include increased collaboration, training for, and communication with partners to develop and communicate management strategies for prevention and control of invasive pests to tree species such as maple, pine, OAK, and beech as well as the diverse understory trees in these forests.