April 1, 2026
Wells Conference Center, The University of Maine,
131 Munson Rd, Orono, ME
Meeting approved for 6 pesticide applicator recertification credits and 6 forestry credits.
| 8:00 – 8:15 AM | Registration, Coffee, Tea, and Refreshments |
| 8:15 – 8:25 AM | Welcome and Introductions |
| 8:25 – 9:05 AM | Domestic Pest Evaluation and Response Process – Nichole Carrier, USDA-APHIS |
| 9:05 – 9:20 AM | Bangor, Maine's Emerald Ash Borer Response Plan – Sophie Cameron, City of Bangor |
| 9:20 – 10:00 AM
|
State of the State Updates by Taxa, Part 1
· Agricultural Pests – David Handley, University of Maine Cooperative Extension & Karen Coluzzi, DACF · Invasive Fish & Aquatic Wildlife – Dakota Stankowski, Maine IF&W |
| 10:00 – 10:20 AM | Break – Coffee and tea provided |
| 10:20 – 11:00 AM | State of the State Updates by Taxa, Part 2
· Marine – Jeremy Miller, Wells Reserve · Terrestrial Animals – Robin Dyer, USDA-APHIS Wildlife |
| 11:00 AM– 12:00 PM | The University of Maine Research Updates
· Updates on Biological Control of Spotted-wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) in Maine – Phil Fanning and Ben Johnson, School of Biology and Ecology · From Invasive Plants to Tick-Borne Disease: Socio-Environmental Dynamics of Landowner Decisions – Mahmud Hasan, School of Forest Resources · Sustaining Basket Making in Waponakik through Increased Access, Processing, and Storage Opportunities – John Daigle, School of Forest Resources · Five Years of Itching - What We Have Learned about Browntail Moth – Angela Mech, School of Biology and Ecology |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch – Provided Buffet – Gluten Free & Vegetarian Options Available |
| 1:00 – 1:30 PM | Preconditions to Ecological Restoration: How to Make Stewardship Seem Easier to Do – Winslow Robinson, Fable Forestry |
| 1:30 – 2:40 PM | Concurrent Sessions
Room 1: Community Engagement Room 2: Invasives and Integrated Pest Management |
| 2:40 – 3:00 PM | Break – Coffee, tea, and light refreshments provided |
| 3:00 – 4:00 PM | State of the State Roundtable by Taxa, Part 3
· Forest Health Update – Gabriel LeMay, Maine Forest Service · Terrestrial Plants – Chad Hammer, MNAP Invasive Plant Biologist · Aquatic Plants – Toni Pied, Maine DEP |
| 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Planning the Future of Invasive Species Research and Management in Maine –Gary Fish, State Horticulturist, DACF |
| 5:00 PM | Adjourn |