Are you a citizen scientist?

Are you a citizen scientist?

Forest Research and The University of Warwick are undertaking a project to understand how surveys for tree pests and pathogens can be more effective by involving citizen science.

 

They are asking for your help if you are interested in participating at one (or more) of its acute oak decline field workshop days this September/ October.

Previous experience is not necessary, and the team behind the research is looking for all levels of experience.

AOD training workshop (Forest Research)

Image by Forest Research

Find out more

You will be looking at oak trees and learning to identify some of the pests and pathogens that cause their decline.

 

The information gathered will be used to researcher people’s observation skills, calibrate and evaluate different training methods and ultimately to improve how research teams work with volunteer groups in the future.

 




Visit Quantifying visual surveillance in tree health (warwick.ac.uk) for further details on the research and our previous findings. 

 

Workshops you can join

There are workshops at:

  • Attingham (near Shrewsbury)

    • Friday 4th October

    • Saturday 5th October

    • Potential other dates

 

  • Hatchlands (near Guildford)

    • Friday 20th September

    • Saturday 21st September

    • Potential other dates

 

  • Richmond Park (West London)

    • Thursday 19th September

    • Wednesday 2nd October

    • Potential other dates

 

  • Blickling (near Norwich)

    • Early October – Dates TBC

 

More sites could follow if there is sufficient local interest.

 

  • You will be able to attend for one hour of training and around three hours of activity where you can put your new acute oak decline detection skills to the test!

  • Previous experience is not necessary

  • All participants will benefit from the opportunity of hands-on AOD training by Dr Nathan Brown, a Forest Research AOD expert.

  • You will be asked to survey up to 80 trees or for a period of 3hrs (whichever is the shortest) and complete a couple of short questionnaires about your understanding of AOD and the activity.

  • Transport and lunch costs (up to £60) can be reclaimed with receipts, and both entry and parking costs will be covered. 

Older AOD associated bark cracks (Forest Research).jpg

Image by Forest Research

Severe stem bleeds caused by AOD bacterial lesions (Forest Research)

Image by Forest Research

Sign up

Further details of the event days are on the sign-up form at https://forms.office.com/e/2v78f7NePB 

 

If you require any further information please email Matt.Combes@warwick.ac.uk or nathan.brown@forestresearch.gov.uk