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Join us for a free virtual presentation with guest speaker, Dr. Elizabeth Graham!

Western blackheaded budworms are a natural part of the forests in Southeast Alaska. Typically their populations are low and damage is negligible, but every 30 to 40 years their numbers build up and they become the most significant disturbance agent in the forest. An outbreak is currently underway with damage visible in most communities throughout Southeast Alaska. This presentation will take a look back at previous outbreaks, and the impacts will be reviewed as well as the status of the current outbreak.

Dr. Elizabeth Graham has been an entomologist with the USDA Forest Service Forest Health Protection Team since 2012 stationed in Juneau, AK. Her work focuses on monitoring the health of the forest and communicating that information to land managers and the general public. Sometimes accused of rooting for the insects, she is really just impressed by the impact insects have on forest health and the importance of their role in forest ecology.

This event will be recorded for future viewing and will be accessible on our YouTube page.