Why is this a good time to host a tour on Invasive Species?
Invasive insect species from all over the world arrive regularly at US ports of entry, posing potentially disastrous consequences for agriculture, forestry, and human and animal health. The economic impact is estimated at over $30 billion annually, due to crop losses and mitigation costs! This spring, the US Department of Agriculture appropriated $17.5 mio for the eradication of the spotted lanternfly in PA. An additional $14 mio was appropriated for research on the monitoring, spread, and management of all invasive species. This tour is associated with the joint ESA-Canadian Entomological Society Annual Meeting “Grand Challenges Summit – Invasive Species”, which will take place in Vancouver, CA, Nov 10, 2018. The tour is being organized by the Entomological Society of America (ESA) Plant-Insect Ecosystems (P-IE) Section, with support from the Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity (SysEB) Section. The tour will bring together diverse stakeholders on the topics of pest invasions, prevention, early detection, rapid response, area-wide management, and adaptive management partnerships to create and maintain effective systems to protect our country from invasive insects and other arthropods.
What is a Field Tour?
The commitment is 2.5 days and it involves in-person and in-field ‘hand-on’ interactions. It is not about having presentations – this is not a symposium - but actually seeing first-hand successful area wide integrated pest management programs of economically important pests; meeting key local stakeholders to see how invasive species adversely impact our environment, public health, and food security.
Who will attend?
This is an intimate event with no more than 50 people. 25 seats on the bus are designated for ESA members. The other 25 seats on the bus are designated for nationally prominent stakeholders – stakeholders that many of our membership do not regularly interact with nor regularly attend our Annual Meeting. Verbal commitments have been received by stakeholders aligned to public science agencies, policymakers, NGOs, beekeeping organizations, and crop protection and commodity groups.
Why should members want to attend?
- The field tour aligns with a major ESA Science Policy Initiative, The Not So Hidden Dangers of Invasive Species. The tour also dovetails with the upcoming “Grand Challenges Summit on Invasive Species”, scheduled to take place at the November 2018 Joint ESA, ESC, and ESBC Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia. This tour will provide technical educational materials to members and leverage this knowledge to the public, media, policymakers, and other key stakeholders.
- This tour builds on the success of last year’s Pollinator Health Science Policy Tour, continuing the growth of the P-IE Section’s strong reputation of bringing together stakeholders from diverse geographical and philosophical viewpoints, and research areas to share ideas, learn from each other through a specific case study, and to use the venue to capture opportunities and best practices that can be leveraged to help the P-IE Section Membership to be seen as technical and policy leaders.
How much does it cost to attend the Field Tour?
Registration cost is $645 per person and includes hotel reservations for 2 nights, welcome reception, all meals, shuttle to/from airport, bus transportation, all fees and admissions. Attendees are responsible for their own travel arrangements, including cost of airfare, train, ground transportation. The deadline for registration and payment of fees will be June 30, 2018.
Are there any award opportunities?
Yes, the P-IE Section will award a complimentary registration to one student and one Early Career Professional. Please note that the deadline for award applications has passed.
Is there a Field Tour link?
Yes, all information on the Invasive Species Security Field Tour is available on the P-IE Section Initiatives website, which includes the latest information on local arrangements.