About Us

Program Background

Overview

The Forest Health Watch Program is a co-produced initiative to facilitate research and education about the health of urban and rural forests in the Pacific Northwest.

Objective

We strive to generate actionable information and provide educational opportunities through research conducted by and with communities and partners.

Program Oversight

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Program Co-Director

Dr. Molly Darr

Molly is the WSU Forest Health Extension Specialist based in Mount Vernon, Washington. She has a background in forest entomology and invasive species management. Molly joined as a co-director of the Forest Health Watch in 2023.

 

Program Co-Director

Dr. Joey Hulbert

Joey is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Washington State University. He has a background in forest pathology and he is passionate about public engagement in science.

With the help of many incredible partners and collaborators, Joey established the Forest Health Watch in 2020. His initiative to lead this program stems from his experience establishing the Cape Citizen Science program in South Africa during his doctorate.

Primary Mentor and Advisor

Dr. Gary Chastagner

Gary is a Professor and Extension Specialist at Washington State University. He leads the Ornamental Plant Pathology program at the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center. Gary has a robust background in studying and managing insect pests and diseases of conifer species.

Marianne Elliott

Mentor and Advisor

Dr. Marianne Elliott

Marianne is a Senior Research Associate at Washington State University. She manages many plant health research projects and has a strong background in forest pathology. Marianne has also led multiple citizen science projects such as the Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program and the Arbutus ARME.

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Mentor and Advisor

Todd Murray

Todd is the Director of the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center. He serves on the Washington Invasive Species Council and has a background in integrated pest management. Todd is a great resource for inquiries about invasive insects.

Mini-Project Leaders

Phytophthora species associated with unhealthy red alder trees at Titlow Park in Tacoma (2021).

Brieanne Laia & Hailey Dillow, Bellarmine Preparatory School, Tacoma, Washington.

Renton urban heat and western redcedar health

Angela Gaither, Environmental Studies Capstone, University of Washington

Seattle Environmental Health Disparity Ranks and western redcedar health

Lyndsay Felthoven, Environmental Studies Capstone, University of Washington

Urban heat in King County and western redcedar health

Hibaaq Arte, Environmental Studies Capstone, University of Washington

Open Source Analyses Collaborators

We are grateful for our collaboration with Brendan Farrell of Clockwork Micro in the collection of gSSURGO data for the redcedar trees shared in the Western Redcedar Dieback Map project.

Volunteers

UX Design Volunteers

We are extremely grateful for the amazing contributions of the below individuals. They provided exceptional feedback to improve the user interface of this website.

Cassidy Trier
Deyi Jeng
Ethel Xu
Alvin Jeong

Data Connections & Visualization

We are also fortunate to have support from the amazing volunteer coders below. They have helped overcome some interesting challenges for integrating iNaturalist and Tableau Public.

Tyler Sheldon
Tree Mama
Eldan Goldenberg

Community Field Guide Development

Alexis Evans

Volunteer to improve our impact

Our volunteers help overcome our challenges and address many needs. Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering to improve this program in any capacity.

Funding

Source

Funding for the establishment of this program was provided by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the form of a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (Grant Number 2020-67034-31766).

Budget

We have a small budget for research and educational activities. Research activities can involve sample collection and processing. Educational activities generally include activities such as workshops with professional staff and hikes with youth.

Support this program

We are always looking for additional support to grow and sustain this program, more funding = greater positive impact. Please contact us if you are interested in supporting this program.

Advisory Committee

Do you want to be move involved in shaping the Forest Health Watch? Please contact us if you would like to be part of an advisory committee.

Contact Us