Thursday, April 27, 8-10 AM

We control pests in order to protect public health, quality of life, the natural environment, and agricultural production systems. In this session, panelists will showcase UC ANR’s work in understanding, monitoring, preventing, and mitigating the negative impact of a number of different insect and weed pests across the state. Participants will engage with presenters and each other to better understand the threats pests pose to natural areas, food safety, agricultural production, the places we live, and the places we recreate. The session will also highlight how UC ANR leverages UC resources and partners with state and community agencies to bring science-based solutions to address critical pest problems.

Moderator:
Jim Farrar, Director, Statewide IPM Program

Speakers:

Urban Pests Threaten Public Health and Well-being Within Our Communities
Andrew Sutherland, Urban IPM Advisor, San Francisco Bay Area

The Impact of Pests and Pest Management on Food Safety and FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) Compliance
Erin DiCaprio, Associate Professor of Cooperative Extension, Department of Food Science and Technology, UC Davis

Responding to Weed Invasions in Natural Areas
Chris McDonald, Natural Resources Advisor, UCCE Riverside, Imperial, San Bernardino and San Diego

Partnering to Manage Forest Pests in Urban Parks and Natural Areas
Beatriz Nobua-Behrmann, Urban Forestry and Natural Resources Advisor, UCCE Orange and Los Angeles 

From Painful Stings to Total Wood Destruction: Story of the Red Imported Fire Ant & Formosan Termite
Siavash Taravati, Integrated Pest Management Advisor, UCCE Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino 

Invasive Pests and Proactive IPM
Mark Hoddle, Extension Specialist in Biological Control, UC Riverside