The 2021 Virtual Meeting of the Continental Dialogue was convened by The Nature Conservancy, in partnership with the Entomological Society of America, as a short series of webinars focused on partnerships in forest health, in the context of current strategic and planning needs. The goal of these conversations is to inform ongoing strategic planning for activities on behalf of The Nature Conservancy’s Continental Dialogue on Non-native Forest Insects and Diseases as well as the ESA’s Grand Challenges Agenda for Entomology. 

These webinars spanned from the prevention of introduction of new pests, through detection and management, all the way to resistant tree breeding and reforestation. Presentations are attached in PDF format per each talk, and the full session recording is listed with timestamps for convenience, below. Thank you to all our presenters and participants!

DECEMBER 7th: Tuesday, 2-5pm Eastern time. Theme: Before the Border

• 2- 2:10 Introductions: Leigh Greenwood, Forest Health Program Director, The Nature Conservancy.
• 2:10- 2:40 Continental Dialogue Strategic Planning Process, Explained: Leigh Greenwood, Forest Health Program Director, The Nature Conservancy.
• 2:40- 3:10 International Cooperation and Risk Analysis: Dr. Jiri Hulcr, Associate Professor, University of Florida.
• 3:10-3:40 High-Impact Insect Invasion Working Group: Dr. Angela Mech, Assistant Professor of Forest Entomology, University of Maine
• VIDEO RECORDING: View the recording of CD/GCAFE Webinar I: Before the Border (10:50 marks the start of Leigh Greenwood’s presentation; 43:50 marks the start of Dr. Jiri Hulcr’s presentation; 1:09:32 marks the start of Dr. Angela Mech’s presentation; 1:45:40 marks the start of General Discussion)

DECEMBER 8th: Wednesday, 2-5pm Eastern time. Theme: First Points of Contact

• 2- 2:10 Introductions: Leigh Greenwood, Forest Health Program Director, The Nature Conservancy.
• 2:10- 2:40 Inspections and Non-Compliance: Jared Franklin, Acting Director, Agricultural Enforcement and Engagement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• 2:40- 3:10 Current Efforts in Updating a Measure of Effectiveness of ISPM 15: Dr. Bob Haack, USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station (Emeritus)
• 3:10- 3:40 Grand Challenge Agenda for Entomology – Looking to 2022: Dr. Erin Cadwalader, Entomological Society of America.
• VIDEO RECORDING: View the recording of CD/GCAFE Webinar lI: First Points of Contact (7:20 marks the start of Jared Franklin’s presentation, and it is resumed at the 57:28 mark; 28:40 marks the start of Dr. Bob Haack’s presentation; 1:24:00 marks the start of Dr. Erin Cadwalader’s presentation; 1:39:10 marks the start of General Discussion)

DECEMBER 14th: Tuesday, 2-5pm Eastern time. Theme: Better Detection through Partnerships

• 2- 2:10 Introductions: Leigh Greenwood, Forest Health Program Director, The Nature Conservancy.
• 2:10- 2:40 Community Science thru Shared EDDMaps platform: Chuck Bargeron, Director, Center for Invasive Species & Ecosystem Health, University of Georgia.
• 2:40- 3:10 Healthy Trees, Healthy Cities: Rachel Holmes, Urban Forestry Strategist, The Nature Conservancy.
• 3:10- 3:40 Inland Detection Toolbox and Information Sharing: John Hastings, National Program Manager – Import Targeting (Acting), USDA APHIS
• 3:40-4:10 Spotted Lanternfly on the Infestation’s Leading Edge: Dr. Phil Lewis, Project Leader at the USDA PPQ Forest Pest Methods Lab in Massachusetts, USDA APHIS.
• VIDEO RECORDING: View the recording of CD/GCAFE Webinar llI: Detections and Response (8:38 marks the start of Chuck Bargeron’s presentation; 38:00 marks the start of Rachel Holmes’ presentation; 1:05:00 marks the start of John Hastings’ presentation; 1:26:24 marks the start of Dr. Phil Lewis’ presentation; 2:04:36 marks the start of the General Discussion)

DECEMBER 15th: Wednesday, 2-5pm Eastern time. Theme: Through the Lens of Trees

• 2- 2:10 Introductions: Leigh Greenwood, Forest Health Program Director, The Nature Conservancy.
• 2:10- 2:45 Resistance breeding from a Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources Perspective: Dr. Carolyn Pike, Forest Regeneration Specialist, US Forest Service Eastern Region
• 2:45- 3:20 Updates on American Chestnut Work: Sara Fitzsimmons, Director of Restoration, American Chestnut Foundation
• 3:20- 3:50 Managing for Climate Resilience: Katy Barlow, Restoration Strategy Manager, Virginia Chapter of The Nature Conservancy.
• VIDEO RECORDING: View the recording of CD/GCAFE Webinar lV: Seeing the Trees (12:46 marks the start of Dr. Carolyn Pike’s presentation; 45:55 marks the start of Sara Fitzsimmons’ presentation; 1:22:20 marks the start of Katy Barlow’s presentation; 1:50:55 marks the start of the General Discussion)