Vermont's forests need you!
Did you know that alert community members are the first to spot most infestations from introduced (invasive) pests? The Forest Pest First Detectors (FPFD) program trains volunteers to protect our forests from harmful insects and diseases. If you are a graduate of the UVM Extension Master Gardener program and you are interested in preserving Vermont's trees and forests, this free, on-line training is for you!
The next FPFD Course will be offered in spring 2026.
Quick Facts
- Vermont's Forest Pest First Detector program was created in partnership with state and federal agencies to increase our chance of detecting infestations.
- Over 302 volunteers trained to date.
- Broad range of volunteer activities: monitoring for pests with others or on your own, posting educational materials or giving presentations in your community, and staffing booths at public events such as the Flower Show, are just a few options.
- Time spent as a FPFD volunteer can count towards MG hours.
- Or, you can just take the course to become more knowledgeable about tree and forest health.
- Expect to spend 6 to 10 hours per week on course material, discussion entries, and live webinars.
Key roles: Early detection and community education.
Your participation could make a huge difference!
Who should take part?
Learn About Introduced Forest Insects and Diseases
The 2026 course will be for graduates of the Master Gardener program who want to learn more about introduced forest pests and educate others about them. Once the course is completed, Forest Pest First Detector (FPFD) volunteer hours can count towards Master Gardener volunteer hours.
- Free, 7 week course
- Two Tracks:
- Track 1 for people interested in volunteering as a FPFD and receiving Master Gardener hours
- Track 2 for people taking course for own education and not interested in volunteering.
- No credits offered, Certificate of Completion available for Track 1 participants.
- All participants will receive Forest Pest First Detector eBulletin with news and volunteer opportunities.
- Invitations to workshops and webinars.
- Track 1 participants can use FPFD volunteer hours towards Master Gardener hours.
About the course
Free, 7-Week, On-line Course
The free training focuses on detecting introduced invasive forest insects and diseases and how to educate others about their impact on forest health.
- Content: 10 sections with videos, readings, podcasts, and discussion sections.
- Includes four live webinars with experts in the field.
- Expect to spend 6 to 10 hours on the course each week.
- Track 1 is for people interested in volunteering. Volunteer hours can be used for Master Gardener hours. You will be expected to complete all quizzes, attend live webinars, introduce yourself and make at least 5 discussion entries, and sign-up for a volunteer activity at the end of the course that can be used for MG hours. Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.
- Track 2 is for people who are interested in participating in the course at their own pace. All materials and activities are optional. There are no volunteer expectations, and a Certificate of Completion is not offered for this track.
- Requirements: Access to internet and ability to link to Zoom.
- Course will be moderated for 7 weeks, participants have access to materials until end of 2025.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Understand
- Threats from major introduced invasive insects and diseases to Vermont's forest health.
- How to identify signs and symptoms of important pests such as emerald ash borer and spotted lanternfly.
Report
- Use VTinvasives.org for information and reporting.
Take Action
- Monitor the places you love for forest pests.
- Join volunteer efforts to slow the spread of forest pests.
- Receive the Forest Pest First Detector eBulletin with news and volunteer opportunities.
- Share your knowledge with others to help increase the chance of early detection.
Questions
Contact Ginger Nickerson at ginger.nickerson@uvm.edu or 802-656-4831.
Getting an Extension Foundation Account
This online course is hosted on the national Extension Foundation online campus at https://campus.extension.org/.
To access the course, you must have an Extension Foundation account.
- You can use a Google or Microsoft account to create an account at this site.
If you do not have either a Google or Microsoft account:
- Go to: https://campus.extension.org/login/index.php and click the "Create new account" button
- Or use the Account Creation Form which does not require email validation.
If you have any problems or questions about creating your account, see the Extension Foundation's Campus Help Page.