ProForest Director Dr. Jiri Hulcr and Dr. Matias Kirst (University of Florida) were recently featured in the July 2024 issue of The Forestry Source from the Society of American Foresters. This short read addresses the use of genetic diversity in fostering resilience from "unknown unknowns" -- invasive pests and pathogens that unpredictably arrive.

This new study found that most news articles used invasion-militaristic and/or fatalistic language to describe Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) management. Dr. Mysha Clarke and her co-authors recommend that public communications around invasive species should be cautious about using language that evokes militarism and fatalism. Communication around invasive species matters. "Public awareness is considered central to mitigating the spread of invasive species."

PhD candidate Paul Klockow, student advisee of ProForest member Dr. Vogel and colleagues, compared a rapid, independent, broad-scale sampling effort quantifying tree mortality following the 2011 drought in Texas to the Forest Inventory Analysis assessment, and examined how tree mortality from drought and insects and diseases varied throughout a four-year period for key species. Mortality was similar in both assessments and was immediate for most genera but lagged for key genera after the drought potentially because of insects and disease.

ProForest and the UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences extension team developed a new forest health module in the Forest Landowner Academy. The new module has gone live as of February 10th, 2026! Thanks to partners Jeff Eickwort (Florida Forest Service) and Dr. Caterina Villari and Colton Meinecke (University of Georgia) for producing content!

This free online course launched in early 2026 provides basic information about invasive plant species ID, treatment approaches, and field safety for volunteers and new crew members working with invasive plant management.

ProForest and the UF School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences have created a new undergraduate certificate in forest health management.