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How to Report Forest Health Observations
Report Observations
Our small team of forest health experts values your observations throughout Alaska!
The two best ways to report forest health damage in Alaska:
Contact our team Submit observations using iNaturalist
Forest Health Observations project on iNaturalist
Forest Health Protection began soliciting contributions to the Alaska Forest Health Observations iNaturalist project in 2020. iNaturalist allows amateur and expert naturalists to share and map biodiversity observations. Genera that commonly damage trees and plants in Alaska are automatically filtered into the project. Explore the observations and learn more!
Tips for success
✓ Include clear photos from multiple angles.
✓ Record the host plant either in the "notes" section or include a picture of the host. Information about the forest type (tree species, site, tree diameters) is useful!
✓ For mushrooms or bracket fungi, provide a photo of the spore-bearing layer (the bottom with pores, gills, teeth, etc.).
✓ For technical assistance with iNaturalist, contact Sydney Brannoch, Interior Alaska Forest Entomologist.
✓ Contact forest health experts on our team if you have a potentially notable observation or would like advice on what information to include.
What is iNaturalist?
From iNaturalist: "One of the world’s most popular nature apps, iNaturalist helps you identify the plants and animals around you. Get connected with a community of over a million scientists and naturalists who can help you learn more about nature! What’s more, by recording and sharing your observations, you’ll create research quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature. iNaturalist is a joint initiative by the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society."
Did you know...?
Forest health staff and other taxonomic experts periodically review iNaturalist observations and will add identifications on observations shared to the project.
Contributing observations is easy!
Take your phone with you on outdoor adventures, snap a photo of your forest health observation, and upload photos to iNaturalist when you have time and internet service. Records can be submitted to the iNat app or website.
Already using iNaturalist?
Any observations of forest health interest in Alaska will be automatically included in the Alaska Forest Health Observations project when uploaded to iNaturalist.