Western IPM Center Projects
- Information Networks
- Work Groups
- Addressing Western IPM Issues Grants
- Special Projects Grants
- Regional IPM Competitive Grants Program
Information Network Contacts
Alaska Arizona Dr. Al Fournier California Colorado Hawaii
and Other Pacific Islands |
Idaho Dr. Ed Bechinski Montana Nevada Oregon Dr. Paul C. Jepson Utah |
Washington Wyoming American Samoa Guam Micronesia Northern Marianas |
| See The Western Front newsletter for information on Western IPM news and events |
Work Groups
- IPM Consequences of Herbicide Tolerant and Insect Resistant Crops Work Group
- Curly Top Virus Biology, Transmission, Ecology, and Management Work Group
- Crop Insect Losses and Impact Assessment Work Group
- The Western Region Urban Residential and Institutional IPM Work Group
- Incorporation of IPM Guidelines in NRCS Conservation Planning
- Alaska Pest Management Program Work Group
- Western IPM Center Work Group on Weather Systems
- Oregon and Washington Small Fruits Work Group
- IPM Consequences of Herbicide Tolerant and Insect Resistant Crops Work Group
- Pacific Northwest Work Group
- OnePlan IPM Planner Work Group
- Pacific Northwest Work Group on Agricultural IPM Issues
- Crop Insect Losses and Impact Assessment Work Group
- Western Region Structural Pest IPM Work Group
- Work Group on Weather Systems
- Oregon and Washington Small Fruits Work Group
- Pacific Northwest Work Group on Agricultural IPM Issues
- Crop Insect Losses and Impact Assessment Work Group
- Western Region School IPM Implementation and Assessment Work Group
- Work Group on Weather Systems
- Pacific Northwest Work Group on Agricultural IPM Issues
- Western Region Conservation Biological Control Work Group
- Crop Insect Losses and Impact Assessment Work Group
- Western Region School IPM Implementation and Assessment Work Group
- Western Region IPM for Spanish-Speaking Landscape Workers Work Group
- Western IPM Center Work Group on Weather Systems
- Integrated Pest Management of Ants of Urban Importance in the Western Region
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2004 Work Groups
IPM Consequences of Herbicide Tolerant and Insect Resistant Crops (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Patrick Byrne, Colorado
Objectives:
Organize a work group of western agricultural professionals in the areas
of herbicide tolerant and/or insect resistant crops. Initiate a series
of video conferences for the work group in late spring 2004. Develop
a set of priorities for research and information needs and a strategy
for addressing them. Develop a prototype web site that will provide coordinated
access to herbicide tolerant and insect resistant (HTIR) information
resources.
Outcomes: Improved communication and collaboration within the region
among workers concerned with HTIR crops. A prototype web site providing
access to information resources. A coordinated approach for developing
additional information resources.
Progress Report
(PDF*)
Final Report
(PDF*,
MS Word)
Curly Top Virus Biology, Transmission, Ecology, and Management Work Group (2 years)
- Principal Investigator: Rebecca Creamer, New Mexico
Objectives: Assemble a work group that will include university, government, extension, and commodity-based individuals to assess the current status of curly top and set priorities for research on beet curly top virus. Organize research:
- to study beet curly top virus genetics in the western United States
- to assess the genetics and biology of populations of the beet leafhopper vector, Circulifer tenellus, within the western United States
- to study the role of weed hosts in curly top in the western United States
- to examine strategies for managing curly top
Outcomes: Assess status of current research and prioritize required
research into curly top virus genetics, vector biology and genetics, weed
ecology, and disease management. Develop an action plan to determine who
will accomplish which aspects of the research, including who will work together
to seek funding for the highest priority research. Coordinate research to
provide preliminary information needed to secure further grant funding.
Final Report (PDF*, MS
Word)
Crop Insect Losses and Impact Assessment Work Group (2 years)
- Principal Investigator: Peter Ellsworth, Arizona
Objectives: Collaborate with scientists and stakeholders throughout the low desert areas of Arizona and southern California. Serve as a forum to discuss and develop crop insect loss and impact assessment for key economic crops, starting with cotton, leafy vegetables, and melons. Periodically assemble diverse sources of information and perspective to evaluate crop losses and the associated causes and underlying costs.
Outcomes: Assess in detail the role of insects and insecticides in the production of cotton, melons and leafy vegetables
(key low desert crops). Provide ready access to pest management data (what is sprayed on crops, the intent or target
of those sprays, and other information), for economists, entomologists, other pest managers, regulators, policymakers,
and
other state, regional, and federal officials. Provide interested parties with specific information about crop loss, insects,
and other factors to guide new and existing research, implementation, and IPM outreach efforts.
Progress Report (PDF*, MS
Word)
The Western Region Urban Residential and Institutional IPM Work Group (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Rebecca Hines, Washington
Objectives: Establish a multistate, multiorganization work group to enhance communication and collaborations regarding urban residential and institutional IPM (schools, daycares, hospitals, residences, business, etc.). Identify the needs and obstacles to shifting to IPM practices encountered by people servicing accounts in urban residential and institutional pest control. Identify the needs and obstacles for consumers, institutions, and businesses in receiving IPM practices. Develop a regional plan, including funding, for moving toward short-term and long-term goals.
Outcomes: Enhanced communication through conference calls, face-to-face meetings, and emails. Report findings on obstacles and needs and possible projects to overcome obstacles and meet needs (short- and long-term). Report findings on educational resources and possible projects (short- and long-term). Report on potential funding sources for each element of the plan.
Progress Report (PDF*, MS
Word)
Final Report (PDF*, MS
Word)
Incorporation of IPM Guidelines in NRCS Conservation Planning (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Ronda Hirnyck, Idaho
Objectives: Facilitate a team of pest management experts to design a methodology and process for collaborating with NRCS. Identify or design a process/system for incorporating IPM guidelines into NRCS Conservation Plans. Identify additional funding sources to build an IPM Planner that would satisfy NRCS planning requirements. Facilitate relationships with multiple government agencies to promote collaboration and reduce duplication of efforts.
Outcomes: A final report describing the work group's recommended NRCS process and system.
Final Report (PDF*, MS
Word)
Pacific Northwest Work Group (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Thomas Jahns, Alaska
Objectives: Collaborate regionally with other state principal investigators to develop intra/interstate crop profiles and pest management strategic plans (PMSPs), to rank and prioritize emerging issues, and to develop regional publications. Participate in "alignment to the IPM Roadmap" development projects developed by other regional principal investigators.
Outcomes: Collaborative meetings between regional principal investigators leading to priority setting and future project assignments and collaborations for the region in support of the Western IPM Center's priority A (Building IPM Information and Resources).
Work Group on Weather Systems (2 years)
- Principal Investigator: Paul Jepson, Oregon
Objectives: Develop a technical workgroup that will discuss and refine standards and protocols for the collection, analysis, and web delivery of weather data for IPM purposes. Increase awareness of, access to, and use of forecasting and epidemiological models in IPM that exploit high quality weather data. Coordinate application for regional, federal, and state-based grants that support the use of weather data and modeling tools in IPM. Publish reports, technical documents, and refereed articles that help to advance the use of weather data and modeling tools in IPM.
Outcomes: Facilitated access to expertise and data
sources for weather-based information, through the WIPMC web site, and the
workgroup web link, and also through participation in meetings run by the
workgroup. Prioritization of needs in technical areas associated with weather
data acquisition and use for IPM purposes. Development of new partnerships
and collaborations that lead to successful grant applications that
involve stakeholders and end users.
Progress Report (PDF*, MS
Word)
Oregon and Washington Small Fruits Work Group (2 years)
- Principal Investigator: Tom Peerbolt, Oregon
Objectives: Create a Pacific Northwest Small Fruits Work Group to identify IPM needs and resources and make recommendations. Identify and prioritize IPM research projects. Develop, coordinate, and disseminate a funding database and elicit research proposals.
Outcomes: Involve all aspects of the caneberry community—growers, field workers, processors, and researchers.
Serve as the nucleus to gather and disseminate information concerning IPM needs and caneberry research projects. Encourage
and support IPM research, and enlarge IPM's role for small fruits to help ameliorate the environment. Focus on IPM research
and reduce duplication of effort by uniting organizations and small fruits professionals (many are already working on various
aspects of IPM), for a single collaborative effort in the Pacific Northwest.
Progress Report (PDF*, MS
Word)
2005 Work Groups
IPM Consequences of Herbicide Tolerant and Insect Resistant Crops (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Patrick Byrne, Colorado
Objectives:
Continue to expand work group, in particular seeking private sector participants.
Continue holding video conferences among subsets of work group members.
Encourage attendance at regional meetings relevant to the work group
goal. Develop set of priorities for research and information needs, and
a strategy for addressing them. Enhance information content of web site
established with first year funding.
Outcomes: Improved communication and collaboration within the region
among workers concerned with HTIR crops. An attractive and useful web
site providing access to information resources on HTIR issues. A coordinated
approach for developing additional information resources.
Progress Report (PDF*)
Final Report
(PDF*,
MS Word)
Pacific Northwest Work Group (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Thomas Jahns, Alaska
Objectives: Collaborate regionally with other state principal investigators to develop intra/interstate crop profiles and pest management strategic plans (PMSPs), to rank and prioritize emerging issues, and to develop regional publications. Participate in "alignment to the IPM Roadmap" development projects developed by other regional principal investigators.
Outcomes: Collaborative meetings between regional principal investigators leading to priority setting and future project assignments and collaborations for the region in support of the Western IPM Center's priority A (Building IPM Information and Resources).
OnePlan IPM Planner Work Group (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Ronda Hirnyck, Idaho
Objectives: Facilitate a team of pest management and farm planning experts to develop and design the IPM planner. Incorporate IPM guidelines and decision tools into NRCS Conservation Plans. Collaborate with NRCS to develop user incentives for IPM adoption reflecting reduced risks to human health and the environment. Facilitate relationships with multiple government agencies and promote multi-organizational collaborations to reduce duplication of effort.
Outcomes: Beta version of the OnePlan IPM Planner. IPM approaches developed and promoted that will reduce pesticide risks to the environment and human health and improve farm profitability and sustainability. Reduced duplication of effort. Incentives promoted for producers to adopt IPM practices.
2006 Work Groups
Pacific Northwest Work Group on Agricultural IPM Issues (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Catherine Daniels, Washington
Objectives: Continue a regularly scheduled meeting format that allows for timely prioritization of regional issues and PMSPs, group discussion on joint projects of interest, and methods through which to further the IPM Roadmap among PNW member states. Interact with other states engaged in IPM programming. Attend IPM symposia or meetings for the purpose of professional development, organized discussion of projects with other IPM professionals, and active group planning of IPM projects we propose to submit to funding agencies. Establish linkages between PNW work group members and other groups that can influence IPM adoption..
Outcomes: Maintenance of the PNW work group structure. Continued collaboration via three teleconferences during 2006. Planning meeting (in-person) during 2006 with work group members and other IPM professionals. Prioritization of regional needs and critical issues. Active participation in the development of regional publications (e.g., PMSPs). Increased regional collaboration that results in IPM tools for growers and better information given to EPA in support of minor crop production.
Progress Report (PDF*)
Poster (PDF*, PowerPoint)
Crop Insect Losses and Impact Assessment Work Group (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Peter Ellsworth, Arizona
Objectives: Collaborate with scientists and stakeholders throughout the low desert areas of Arizona and southern California. Serve as a forum to discuss and develop crop insect loss and impact assessment for key economic crops, starting with cotton, leafy vegetables, and melons. Periodically assemble diverse sources of information and perspective to evaluate crop losses and the associated causes and underlying costs.
Outcomes: Assess in detail the role of insects and insecticides in the production of cotton, melons and leafy vegetables
(key low desert crops). Provide ready access to pest management data (what is sprayed on crops, the intent or target
of those sprays, and other information), for economists, entomologists, other pest managers, regulators, policymakers,
and
other state, regional, and federal officials. Provide interested parties with specific information about crop loss, insects,
and other factors to guide new and existing research, implementation, and IPM outreach efforts.
Progress Report (PDF*, MS
Word)
Western Region Structural Pest IPM Work Group (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Carrie Foss, Washington
Objectives: Develop the Structural Pest IPM Program and 2007 IPM Curriculum and prioritize research projects to be conducted at the Structural Pest Research and Demonstration Facility at Washington State University, Puyallup. Enhance communication and collaborations regarding structural pest IPM in urban residences and schools through a work group with representatives from multiple states in the western region, including university specialists, state regulatory staff, pest management professionals and structural pest inspectors, realtors, and professional association members. Assess regional priorities for demonstration workshops and training programs at the Puyallup facility. Develop a detailed education plan for the Structural Pest IPM Program. Prioritize regional research needs related to Structural Pest IPM and identify potential funding sources.
Outcomes: Establishment of a Structural Pest IPM Program and 2007 IPM
Curriculum and identification of critical structural pest IPM research projects.
Provision of a forum and funding to increase regional communication and collaboration
among structural pest inspection and management stakeholders. Resulting
educational programs and research projects will lead to reduced numbers of
inaccurate inspections and reduced potential health risks from unnecessary
pesticide applications.
Final Report (PDF*)
Final Report Attachment 1
Final Report Attachment 2
Work Group on Weather Systems (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Walter Mahaffee, Oregon
Objectives: Assemble experts in the areas of climatology, meteorology, information technology, precision agriculture, extension, and insect and plant pathogen epidemiology and modeling with information providers and producers to further develop a road map for the utilization of weather-based management tools. Further develop the conceptual, research, and implementation framework for a weather and climate-based system to enhance management decisions for IPM and other agricultural and societal purposes. Increase awareness of, access to, and use of forecasting and epidemiological models in IPM that exploit high quality weather data. Engage user groups including individual producers, crop consultants, and commodity groups in determining the value and needs of a weather and climate-based decision support system. Coordinate application for federal, regional, and state-based grants that support the collection and use of weather data and modeling tools in IPM. Publish reports, technical documents, and refereed articles that help to advance the use of weather data and modeling tools in IPM.
Outcomes: Prioritization of needs in technical areas associated with
weather data acquisition and use for IPM purposes. Development of new partnerships
and collaborations that lead to successful grant applications that involve
stakeholders and end users. Facilitated access to expertise and data sources
for weather-based information through the AIMS web site, the work group web
link, and through participation in meetings run by the work group.
Progress Report 2006 (PDF*, MS
Word)
Progress Report 2007 (PDF*, MS
Word)
Oregon and Washington Small Fruits Work Group (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Tom Peerbolt, Oregon
Objectives: Continue to serve as the communication center for the Small Fruits Work Group. Continue to identify IPM research needs and resources and update and add to the current insect/disease searchable databases and the research database on the nwipm.info web site. Develop a coordinated method for setting research priorities and elicit and coordinate research proposals.
Outcomes: Work group will continue to reflect all regions of the Pacific
Northwest as well as public and private interests. Matrix of small
fruits research priorities to be use by the regional funding agencies. Creation
of the matrix will allow investigators to complete work on a searchable database
of research projects, which will help minimize duplication of research efforts.
Final Report (PDF*, MS
Word)
2007 Work Groups
Pacific Northwest Work Group on Agricultural IPM Issues (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Catherine Daniels, Washington
Objectives: Continue a regularly scheduled meeting format that allows for timely prioritization of regional issues and PMSPs, group discussion on joint projects of interest, and methods through which to further the IPM Roadmap among PNW member states. Continue to interact with other states engaged in IPM programming. Attend IPM symposia or meetings for the purpose of professional development, organized discussion of projects with other IPM professionals, and active group planning of IPM projects we propose to submit to funding agencies. Continue to establish linkages between PNW work group members and other groups that can influence IPM adoption..
Outcomes: Maintenance of the PNW work group structure. Continued collaboration via two teleconferences during 2007. Two planning meetings (in-person) during 2007 with work group members and other IPM professionals. Prioritization of regional needs and critical issues. Active participation in the development of regional publications (e.g., PMSPs). Increased regional collaboration that results in IPM tools for growers and better information given to EPA in support of minor crop production.
Crop Insect Losses and Impact Assessment Work Group (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Peter Ellsworth, Arizona
Objectives: Collaborate with scientists and stakeholders throughout the low desert areas of Arizona and southern California. Serve as a forum to discuss and develop crop insect loss and impact assessment for key economic crops, including cotton, lettuce, melons (watermelon and cantaloupe), and alfalfa. Periodically assemble diverse sources of information and perspective to evaluate crop losses and the associated causes and underlying costs. Serve as a clearinghouse for developed information and metrics on crop insect loss and impact assessment. Address all federal, state, and local requests for information on the impacts of insects or insecticides in our key crops. Assist others in the extension of this process as a model for development of additional stakeholder-derived data. Post summarized data to a dedicated web page.
Outcomes: Assessment
in detail of the role of insects and insecticides in the production of cotton,
lettuce, melons, and alfalfa (key low desert crops). Stakeholders
engaged in workshops for these four crops. Provision of ready access to pest
management data (what is sprayed on crops, the intent or target of those
sprays, and other information), for economists, entomologists, other pest
managers, regulators, policymakers, and other state, regional, and federal
officials. Crop insect losses data (2003 forward) available online.
Provision of specific information about crop loss,
insects, and other factors to guide new and existing research, implementation,
and IPM outreach efforts.
Progress Report (PDF*)
Western Region School IPM Implementation and Assessment Work Group (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Dawn Gouge, Arizona
Objectives: Establish a work group to facilitate efficient, sustainable implementation of school IPM across the western United States. Document existing western school IPM programs and implementation obstacles (e.g., funding). Identify region's stakeholder needs and determine how work group can address them. Discuss potential for developing standards for school IPM practices. Assess five existing school IPM implementation tools previously developed by University of Arizona urban IPM staff.
Outcomes: Promotion of collaboration and sharing of resources and
information among virtually all active school IPM programs in the western
region. Provision of a conduit for two-way communication between stakeholders
and multiple government agencies with IPM interests. Promotion of efficient
use of limited resources through identification and sharing of existing resources.
Stakeholders engaged at the local level. Identification of emerging regional
needs related to school IPM and funding to support future implementation efforts.
Development of general recommendations on school IPM standards. Production
of evaluation data on five school IPM implementation tools to make them as
practical as possible for end-users.
Progress Report (PDF*)
Work Group on Weather Systems (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Walter Mahaffee, Oregon
Objectives: Assemble experts in the areas of climatology, meteorology, information technology, precision agriculture, extension, and insect and plant pathogen epidemiology and modeling with information providers and producers to further develop a road map for the utilization of weather-based management tools. Further develop the conceptual, research, and implementation framework for a weather and climate-based system to enhance management decisions for IPM and other agriculture and societal purposes. Increase awareness of, access to, and use of forecasting and epidemiological models in IPM that exploit high quality weather data. Engage user groups including individual producers, crop consultants, and commodity groups in determining the value and needs of a weather and climate-based decision support system. Coordinate application for regional, federal, and state-based grants that support the collection and use of weather data and modeling tools in IPM. Publish reports, technical documents, and refereed articles that help to advance the use of weather data and modeling tools in IPM.
Outcomes: Prioritization of needs in technical areas associated with weather data acquisition and use for IPM purposes. Development of new partnerships and collaborations that lead to successful grant applications that involve stakeholders and end users. Facilitated access to expertise and data sources for weather-based information through the AIMS web site, the work group web link, and through participation in meetings run by the work group.
2008 Work Groups
Pacific Northwest Work Group on Agricultural IPM Issues (2 years)
- Principal Investigator: Catherine Daniels, Washington
Objectives: Continue a regularly scheduled meeting format that allows for timely prioritization of regional issues and PMSPs, group discussion on joint projects of interest, and methods through which we can further the IPM Roadmap among Pacific Northwest member states. Continue to interact with other states engaged in IPM programming. The purpose of this meeting format is to identify areas of common interest with other states or regions so as to increase synergy. The quickest and most proven method to accomplish this is attendance at IPM symposia or meetings for the purpose of professional development, organized discussion of projects with other IPM professionals, and active group planning of IPM projects we propose to submit to funding agencies. Continue to establish linkages between Pacific Northwest work group members and other groups that can influence IPM adoption.
Outcomes: Maintenance of the Pacific Northwest Work Group structure. Continued collaboration via teleconferences during 2008 and 2009. Two planning meetings (in-person) in 2008 and 2009 with work group members and other IPM professionals. Prioritization of regional needs and critical issues.Western Region Conservation Biological Control Work Group (2 years)
- Principal Investigator: Gwendolyn Ellen, Oregon
Objectives: To foster collaborative research in conservation biological control—including the conservation of native pollinators—with researchers, farmers, conservationists, and land managers by the following methods: 1) conduct stakeholder and researcher needs assessments. The needs assessment meetings will be held on farms in each representative state and include stakeholders and researchers; 2) produce the results of the needs assessments as document(s); 3) create a database/electronic mailing list appropriate to the needs of the Conservation Biological Control work group; 4) hold a symposium specifically to share research methods and project designs; and 5) prepare collaborative grant proposals.
Outcomes: Two conservation biological control work group meetings and an independently funded western region conservation biological control symposium. Four needs assessment meetings, one each in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and California. Published prioritized conservation biological control needs assessment lists for each state. A conservation biological control electronic mailing list. Collaborative grant proposals.Crop Insect Losses and Impact Assessment Work Group (2 years)
- Principal Investigator: Al Fournier, Arizona
Objectives: In collaboration with scientists and stakeholders throughout the low desert areas of Arizona and California, the work group will serve as the forum for discussion and development of crop pest loss and impact assessment in key economic crops of the region, including cotton, lettuce, melons, and alfalfa. Expand data collection efforts to include weeds, plant pathogens, and nematodes as appropriate and relevant to each specific crop. Serve as a clearinghouse for developed information and metrics on crop pest losses and impact assessments, addressing all federal, state, and local requests for information on the impact of pests or pesticides and other pest management practices in key crops. Assist others in the extension of this process as a model for development of additional stakeholder-derived data as requested. Summarize data on crop pest losses on a dedicated Web page, making the data available worldwide.
Outcomes: Detailed assessments of the role of insects, other pests, and pesticides in the production of four key low desert crops. Provision of ready access to a rich set of data to economists, entomologists, other pest managers, regulators, policymakers, and other state, regional, and federal interests. This data parses not only what is “sprayed� on a crop, but also what was the “intent� or target of those sprays and other pest management inputs. Provision to interested parties of specific information about crop loss and how it is associated with specific pests and other factors. Crop pest losses data collection process that will serve as a model for development of similar data in other cropping systems and additional western states. Additional outcomes in the form of insights into program impact are incalculable, but should help to guide new and existing research, implementation, and outreach efforts in IPM.Progress Report (PDF*, MS Word)
Western Region School IPM Implementation and Assessment Work Group (2 years)
- Principal Investigator: Dawn Gouge, Arizona
Objectives: Expand the work group by inviting appropriate representatives from Hawaii, Alaska, New Mexico, and Idaho. Expand assessment of school IPM programs and activities in western states to include all additional states that join the work group in the coming term. Conduct a national assessment of school IPM implementation tools through the eXtension Web site. Identify regional and national networking opportunities and promote work group involvement on emerging projects that support awareness, implementation, and assessment of school IPM. Promote work group objectives, members, activities, and resource findings to a national audience.
Outcomes: Establishment of at least one state partner in each western state, improving knowledge and awareness of regional and national school IPM funding and resource opportunities and directly benefiting local programs. Posting of expanded state-by-state inventory of school IPM status, resources, and contacts on Arizona Pest Management Center Web site, raising public awareness of school IPM status throughout the West. Suite of school IPM “tools� on eXtension Web site will benefit implementers and end users/adopters of school IPM nationally. These tools will ultimately be made available on the IPM Institute of North America’s Web site and referenced in the National School IPM PMSP. Networking opportunities created by the work group will benefit all participants. Leveraging of external resources will have increased impacts within each state involved. Easily accessed, centralized information on the work group’s activities and resources will establish an interface between work group activities and local stakeholders, promote collaboration with regional and national entities, and reduce redundant efforts through sharing of all available resources.Progress Report (PDF*)
Western Region IPM for Spanish-Speaking Landscape Workers Work Group (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Rebecca Hines, Washington
Objectives: Establish a work group to enhance communication and collaborations for the education of Spanish-speaking landscape workers, having representatives from multiple states in the western region and including university specialists, state regulatory and training staff, and landscape professionals. Many of the work group participants will have some ability to speak Spanish. Assess the training priorities for Spanish-speaking landscape workers. Identify learning styles and training techniques to implement in the development of a curriculum suitable for all literacy levels. Develop a one-day IPM curriculum for workshops to be conducted in Spanish across the region. Plan and conduct a one-day pilot IPM training for Spanish-speaking landscape workers.
Outcomes: Establishment of the work group and development of an IPM curriculum in Spanish. Increased regional communication and collaboration among stakeholders. Education programs and opportunities that result from the project will help promote IPM in the landscape as well as educate an underserved and ever-growing workforce: the Spanish-speaking landscape worker. This in turn will help reduce unnecessary pesticide applications and potential environmental and human health risks.Western IPM Center Work Group on Weather Systems (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Walter Mahaffee, Oregon
Objectives: Assemble experts in climatology, meteorology, information technology, precision agriculture, extension, and insect and plant pathogen epidemiology and modeling with information providers and producers to further develop the conceptual and technical directions for the development and utilization of weather-based management tools. Further develop the conceptual, research, and implementation framework for a weather and climate-based system to enhance management decisions for IPM and other agriculture and societal purposes. Increase awareness of, access to, and use of forecasting and epidemiological models in IPM that exploit high quality weather data. Engage user groups including individual producers, crop consultants, and commodity groups in determining the value and needs of a weather and climate-based decision support system. Coordinate application for regional, federal, and state-based grants that support the collection and use of weather data and modeling tools in IPM. Publish reports, technical documents, and refereed articles that help to advance the use of weather data and modeling tools in IPM.
Outcomes: Standards and guidelines for weather-driven IPM. Tools for weather data and forecast interpolation. Methods for estimating parameters needed for pest models. Grant proposals.Progress Report (PDF*, MS Word)
Integrated Pest Management of Ants of Urban Importance in the Western Region (1 year)
- Principal Investigator: Michael Rust, California
Objectives: Develop pest management strategies that reduce the amount of insecticide applied around structures to control pest ants. Develop strategies that reduce the frequency of insecticide applications. Develop strategies that will reduce potential insecticide runoff into urban watersheds. Demonstrate cost-effective control measures utilizing low-impact IPM programs to control ants.
Outcomes: The work group will meet at a two-day workshop at the University of California, Riverside to prepare a comprehensive research proposal to develop low-impact IPM strategies to control pest ants in urban environments. The proposal will be submitted to various USDA programs, California Department of Pesticide Regulation, University of California IPM, and the California Pest Control Board.Progress Report (PDF*, MS Word)
