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Forest & Grassland Health
The Forest Health staff of the Southwestern Region provides assistance and expertise to Federal, State, and Tribal land managers in Arizona and New Mexico concerning forest health conditions and issues. We provide advice and support for projects to help prevent or suppress insect and disease outbreaks. Annually, we conduct survey flights to monitor forest health conditions and provide land managers with information on current issues, with an emphasis on detecting insect activity. Information on current activity and our program is provided through the links below.
Current Highlights
Review current highlights, reports, storymaps, and a list of notable insect or disease activity. Some highlights include:
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2022 Conditions Report
Our 2022 Conditions Report is now available, with forest insect and disease highlights from across the Southwestern Region.
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2022 Story Map
Our 2022 Story Map is a collection of images and information about major tree damage observed across the forests of Arizona and New Mexico in 2022.
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Aspen Management
See new information on aspen health and management concerns in the following Western Aspen Alliance brief on invasive oystershell scale. For more information on oystershell scale see the recent State Forest Health Alert or our recent publication.
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Publications
Browse a list of forest insect and disease condition reports, entomology and pathology publications and posters.
Drought Conditions
With the ongoing current drought conditions we are seeing more effects upon our forests in the Southwest. Review press releases for updates (Prescott, AZ):
- April 21, 2021 - Drought Causing Juniper Die-Off in Central and Northern Arizona
- March 4, 2021 - Bark Beetles Infesting Ponderosa Pine on Prescott National Forest
Field Guides
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Field Guide to Insects and Diseases
Learn about flora and fauna in the Southwest. A description for each insect and disease includes hosts, damage, symptoms, biology, and effects or impacts.
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Weed Field Guides
New series of 33 field guides. 40+ species covered. Includes management guidelines.
Features
Tree Risk Management Program
Information for land managers regarding assistance our staff can provide on tree risk identification and management.
Key Contacts
- Joel McMillin
Forest Health AZ Zone Leader - Andy Graves
Forest Health NM Zone Leader - Janet Nickerman
R3 Pesticide / Invasive Species Specialist
Email the Forest Health Staff
