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 care about preserving Vermont's trees and forests, this free, on-line training is for you!
Quick Facts
- Vermont Forest Pest First Detector program was created in partnership with state and federal agencies to increase our chance of detecting infestations.
- Over 302 trained volunteers.
- There are all kinds of volunteer activities: monitoring for pests with others or on your own, posting educational materials in your community, and staffing booths at public events such as the Flower Show, are just a few options.
- Or, you can just take the course to become more knowledgeable about forest health.
Key roles: Early detection and community education.
If you love Vermont's forests and want to help protect them from invasive insects and diseases, take the Forest Pest First Detector on-line training. Your participation could make a huge difference!
Who should take part?
Learn About Introduced Forest Insects and Diseases
The Spring 2025 course is being specially offered to graduates of the Master Gardener course. If you have not taken the Master Gardener course, please check back in 2026 when the course will be offered to the general public again.
The 2025 course is a great choice for graduates of the Master Gardener program who want to learn more about introduced forest pests and educate others about them.
- Free and self-paced
- No credits or certification offered.
- Receive Forest Pest First Detector eBulletin with news and volunteer opportunities.
- Invitations to workshops and webinars.
- Forest Pest First Detector volunteer hours can count towards Vermont 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: 8 sections with videos.
- Includes four live webinars with experts in the field
- Opportunities to self-assess your learning
- Requirements: Access to internet.
- Course will be moderated for 7 weeks, 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.
- Identify signs and symptoms of important pests like emerald ash borer and spotted lanternfly.
Report
- Use VTinvasives.org for information and reporting.
Take Action
- Join community volunteer efforts against forest pests.
- Receive Forest Pest First Detector eBulletin with news and volunteer opportunities.
- Share your knowledge with others to help increase the chance of early detection.
Course Schedule
- Course moderated March to April - dates TBD
- Access to materials until end of 2025
- 4 Live Webinars - Please check back in January for details
Registration
Forest Pest First Detectors Course For Outdoor Recreationists
Registration has closed for the spring 2024 course.
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:
- "Create new account" button at: https://campus.extension.org/login/index.php
- 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.