Online Training Resources Developed for Master Gardeners

Stephanie D. Stocks

Department of Entomology and Nematology

University of Florida

Introduction

• Invasive species awareness is critical. – Of the approximately 958 species that are listed as being

either threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, around 400 of them are considered to be at risk primarily because of competition with or predation by invasives species.

– The approximately 50,000 non-native species in the U.S. causes about $137 billion a year in damage and losses.

– How do invasives get here? • Accidental introductions

• Intentional introductions

Introduction • Some Florida numbers:

– Number of intercepted and introduced amphibians and reptiles as of 2011

• 140

• 14 amphibians, 126 reptiles

– Number of introduced birds as of 2011 • 200

• 14 are established (been here and bred every year for 10 years)

– Number of new invasive arthropod species that have been detected every year is alarming.

• 21 in 2007

• 23 in 2008

• 19 in 2009

• 17 in 2010

• 11 in 2011

• 12 so far in 2012

Focus on four programs

• Protect U.S.

• National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN)

• Sentinel Plant Network

• UF Online Training

Protect U.S.

• Community invasive species network

– www.protectingusnow.org

• National program uses education to help protect the U.S. from exotic invasive species that could harm our food crops and natural ecosystems

• Develop educational material on various invasive species topics and issues of concern

Protect U.S. • Educational material delivered in several formats:

– Scripted presentation for educators • Extension agents, teachers, professors, naturalists, park personnel, etc.

– E-learning modules for online training • Small farm producers, the general public, homeowners, master gardeners,

etc.

• Special ones have been developed for K-12 students

– Lesson plans • Based on the National Science Education Standards

• Scripted presentations and material notes for the teacher and age appropriate e-learning modules and hands-on activities for the students

– Local workshops

– Training videos • http://www.youtube.com/user/protectingusnow

Protect U.S. • Information presented includes pest identification,

identification of diseases and their vectors, host lists, distribution, monitoring and scouting, and management options

• Topics include: – Overview: Invasive Species that Affect Plants

– Laurel Wilt and the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle

– Citrus Greening and the Asian Citrus Psyllid

– Spotted Wing Drosophila

– Plant Biosecurity

– Giant African Land Snail

– Wheat Stem Rust, Ug99

– Exotic Pests of Concern for Ornamental Plants

– Common and Exotic Pests of Concern for Stonefruits

– Thousand Cankers Disease

– Potato Psyllids and the Diseases they Vector

Protect U.S.

• Scripted presentations

– Script is available in the notes section of the PowerPoint

– Provides background information for the presenter

– Has references included on each slide

– Not meant to be read verbatim

– Reviewed by experts so that you receive the most up to date information

Asian soybean rust, caused by the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi.

Asian soybean rust was on the USDA’s select agent and toxin list at the time of

its detection into the U.S. in 2004. USDA-APHIS maintains a list of plant

pathogen select agents. These select agents are believed to be some of the

more potentially devastating plant diseases that could enter the U.S. and have

the potential to be used as bioterrorism weapons. Should a select agent be

detected, the FBI investigates the origin and nature of the introduction. Select

agents are chosen based on the following characteristics:

• The effect of an agent or toxin on animal or plant health or products

• The virulence of an agent or degree of toxicity of the toxin and the methods by

which the agents or toxins are transferred to animals or plants;

• The availability and effectiveness of medicines and vaccines to treat and

prevent any illness caused by an agent or toxin; and

• Other criteria that the Secretary considers appropriate to protect animal or

plant health, or animal or plant products.

• E-learning modules for online training

– Interactive module that is based on the scripted presentations

• has click and drags, choose the correct image, review questions, roll overs, learn more buttons, videos, etc.

– Has a 10 question quiz at the end

• Pass the quiz with 70% or better and receive a certificate of completion

• Receive CEUs at no charge

Protect U.S.

Protect U.S

• Lesson plans

– Correlated with the National Science Education Life Science Standards

• And the Florida State Sunshine Standards!

– Scripted presentations, students activities and handouts, instructions on obtaining material for the activities, and directions for conducting the activities

• Grade 4 – Beneficial and Harmful Species that Cause Change in the Environment

• Grade 7 – Invasive Species and Population Growth

• Grades 9-12 – Biodiversity, Invasive Species, and Plant Biosecurity

Protect U.S.

• Local Protect U.S. workshops

– Invasive Species of Concern

• October 12, Marion County, Norma Samuel – Norma.Samuel@marioncountyfl.org

• November 13, Sumter County, Brooke Moffis – burnb48@ufl.edu

– Tentative date

– Several stink bug workshops are being scheduled for spring 2013 as well as European pepper moth workshops

National Plant Diagnostic Network

• National program that focuses on plant pests and diseases.

– www.npdn.org

• They also help fund labs in all 50 states to diagnose and identify plant pests and diseases.

National Plant Diagnostic Network

• Made up of five regions:

– Western Plant Diagnostic Network

– Great Plains Diagnostic Network

– Northcentral Plant Diagnostic Network

– Northeast Plant Diagnostic Network

– Southern Plant Diagnostic Network • Headquartered at University of Florida, Gainesville

National Plant Diagnostic Network

• Offer “first detector” training for the early detection of invasive species to interested individuals.

– Workshops • Listed on the website by state

– Online training • E-learning module that has an associated quiz

• Pass the quiz, get a certificate of completion

• Available for CEUs at no cost to you

– Scripted presentations for educators that are in development now

• Several are scheduled for release in January 2013

• www.firstdetector.org

National Plant Diagnostic Network

• Online training topics:

– Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 • Including southern wilt, bacterial wilt, and brown rot

– Chilli thrips

– Emerald ash borer

– Crop biosecurity • Mission of the NPDN

• Monitoring for High Risk Pests

• Diagnosing Plant Problems

• Submitting Diagnostic Samples

• Photography for Diagnosis

• Disease and Pest Scenarios

National Plant Diagnostic Network

• Topics to be release late spring 2013:

– Entomology for master gardeners

• How to identify the insect orders

• What are some pests of these orders of which you need to be aware

• How to identify other arthropods (mites, spiders, ticks etc.)

• What are some pests of these groups of which you need to be aware

Sentinel Plant Network

• National program that focuses on plant pests and diseases of concern for botanical gardens.

– http://www.publicgardens.org/content/sentinel-plant-network

Sentinel Plant Network

• Offer “first detector” training for volunteers and employees at botanical gardens.

– Workshops • Listed on the website by region

– Online training • E-learning module that has an associated quiz

• Pass the quiz, get a certificate of completion

• Available for CEUs at no cost to you (pending)

– Scripted presentations for educators can be accessed through their “toolbox” on their website

UF Online Training

• Brand new website that focuses on invasive species issues of importance to Florida

– www.ufonlinetraining.org

– Will be officially launched in December 2012

• Offer scripted presentations and online training.

• Topics already released include:

– European Pepper Moth

– Invasive Whiteflies of Florida

UF Online Training

• Topics currently under development include:

– Stink bugs of Florida

– Citrus greening and the Asian citrus psyllid

– Giant African land snail

– Laurel wilt and the redbay ambrosia beetle

– Spotted wing drosophila

Accessing the online training modules

• Need flash plug in

– Can’t be accessed by iPads or iPhones

• Need internet access and an email account

– To access Protect U.S. or NPDN modules • From their website or directly at

http://www.firstdetector.org/UserServlet?act=newuser

– To access UF online training modules • From the website that will be launched shortly or directly at

http://firstdetector.org/IFASUserServlet?act=ifaslogin

– Access to the Sentinel Plant Network modules will be available next month from their website

• Choose a username and password

Accessing the online training modules

• Provide your name, specialty (master gardener), occupation, employer, country, state, and county

– This is particularly important for those seeking CEUs or other certifications

• An email is sent to your email address asking you to verify your account by clicking on the link provided

• Once you do this, you can access all the modules

– Same username and password will access the NPDN, Protect U.S., Sentinel Plant Network, and UF online training modules

Other Resources You Might Want to Use

• The handout provided contains information on:

– What happens if someone wants to submit a sample:

• Several videos are available on how to collect a plant disease sample or an insect pest or nematode pest sample

• Links to forms that are needed to submit these samples

• Links to places where you send those samples for diagnosis and identification

• Link to submitting a digital samples

Other Resources You Might Want to Use

• The handout provided contains information on:

– Featured Creatures

• To find out more information on pests

– NPDN First Detector Training Newsletter

• Provides notification of newly detected invasive species issues

– Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Plant Industry Pest Alerts

• Provides information on newly detected invasives for Florida

Other Resources You Might Want to Use

• The handout provided contains information on:

– UF pest alerts

• To find out more information on pests that affect Florida

– EDIS

• Electronic data information source for extension documents

– Florida whitefly website

• www.flwhitefly.org