The 42nd Annual Ontario Forest Health Review took place at the Great Lakes Forestry Centre in Sault Ste Marie in 2018. This annual meeting put on by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and the Canadian Forest Service provided an update on the current status of forests in Ontario for forest resource managers, foresters, ecologists, conservation authorities, pest management companies, academics, municipalities, and others interested in forest resource management. Representatives presented the latest information on forest health conditions, forest invasive pests, current and upcoming forest management programs, and the year’s research results.

Speakers included Mike Francis from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, providing an update on major forest disturbances in Ontario; Tracey Cooke, Executive Director of the Invasive Species Centre discussing forest health and outreach programs; Simeon Wright, a forest health specialist from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, providing information on the status of forests and management programs in Michigan; Dr. Sharon Reed from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, speaking about her research on Beech Leaf Disease; Dr. Chris MacQuarrie of Natural Resources Canada, presenting work by his colleague, Dr. Krista Ryall, on biological control of Emerald Ash Borer; and finally Dr. Barry Cooke, of Natural Resources Canada, discussing impacts of climate change on forest health.

The Status of Forest Pests in Ontario 2018

Mike Francis, from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, highlights the status of forest health in Ontario. Mike discusses the background and current status of a variety of Ontario’s forest pests, including forest tent caterpillar, spruce budworm, jack pine budworm, spongy moth, and more.

Invasive Species Centre: Forest Health Programs and Resources

Executive Director, Tracey Cooke, sheds a light on the integral role of the Invasive Species Centre (ISC) in preventing and reducing the spread of invasive species in Canada. Tracey discusses current and future projects underway at ISC including a new EAB manual, Oak Wilt workshops, and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid tours, as well as public outreach though social media and citizen science campaigns.

Michigan Forest Health Update

What is Michigan doing to protects its’ forests from forest pests? Join forest health specialist, Simeon Wright, from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as he discusses invasive species management, the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program (MISGP),  impacts of beech bark disease, heterobasidion root disease, and oak wilt management.

Beech Leaf Disease – Ontario’s Perspective

Dr. Sharon Reed, a forest health research scientist from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry highlights the risks imposed by beech leaf disease. She dives into the signs and symptoms, distribution, and the impacts of the disease to Ontario’s valuable beech trees. Dr. Reed also teaches how to be a BLD detective, distinguishing between the real thing and its pesky look-a-likes.

An Update on the Biological Control of Emerald Ash Borer in Eastern Canada

Learn about emerald ash borer and biological control programs with Dr. Chris MacQuarrie, as he presents recent work conducted by Dr. Krista Ryall on the effectiveness of parasitoid introduction to manage EAB populations.

The Anthropocene: A Case for Enhanced Forest Health Monitoring and Climate Change Adaptation

Join Dr. Barry Cooke from Natural Resources Canada as he discusses climate-related impacts on northern, high latitude, and high elevation forests, and the consequential range expansion of the mountain pine beetle.