Forest ThreatNet
Message from the Director
Welcome to the 2022 edition of Forest ThreatNet, a newsletter designed to enhance communication with our customers and partners about ongoing efforts within the Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center (EFETAC).
As many of you know, Dr. Danny Lee, our inaugural EFETAC Director, moved up to a new position in the Southern Research Station as Director of the Center for Forest Assessment and Synthesis. Currently, he is in an acting position as Assistant Station Director. Consequently, since 2021, I have assumed the role of EFETAC Director following Dr. Kurt Riitters’ service in 2020. I would like to acknowledge their dedication and extraordinary leadership, making EFETAC what it is today. It is a true privilege to lead EFETAC and to be given the opportunity to continue serving our stakeholders during an unprecedent time.
Needless to say, it has been a tough two years. Many of our lives, both personal and professional, have been turned upside down—this struggle is real. For some, balancing work and family responsibilities has become extremely challenging. Two years has been too long for those of us who enjoy working outdoors. Field research has been limited, with some activities completely halted, and resulting gaps in data records are permanent. I appreciate the technology used in virtual meetings that allows us to stay connected, but I do miss the personal interactions that create energy and inspiration whether in the office, the woods, or on the road traveling. The long-term impacts of the pandemic are unclear, and we are still facing a lot of uncertainties.
However, one thing is certain—we have learned a lot adapting to a new way of life. It is true that ‘every cloud has a silver lining’. I value the kindness and resilience shown by my colleagues, by the American people, and our society as a whole. We take care of each other and carry on the tasks of protecting eastern forests from environmental threats that are on the rise. Climate change, extreme weather, wildland fire, land fragmentation, invasive species, and forest insects and diseases remain high priorities in our daily work. We continue to closely monitor how environmental change affects valued forest functions, services, and health benefits.
Recent data indeed suggest that visits to our National Forests and Grasslands have soared 10-25% during the pandemic. As reported in this Newsletter, we are sharpening our detection and projection tools using the most advanced monitoring, remote sensing, and modeling tools. These tools are essential in our renewed efforts towards land stewardship, sustainability, and science-based decision making. The USDA Southeast Climate Hub hosted by EFETAC plays an increasing role in getting tools and knowledge into the hands of all landowners. The importance of our work is reflected in the President’s budgetary priorities currently making their way through Congress. Our talented teams, with diverse backgrounds and expertise, are ready to address new agency challenges and priorities by working closely with federal, state, and tribal partners.
Both EFETAC and our sister Center, the Western Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Center, are chartered and jointly funded by the three Forest Service deputy areas: the National Forest System, State and Private Forestry, and Research and Development. We thank them for their continued support, allowing us to work with our partners and collaborators to deliver products that are credible, timely, and useful.
Please enjoy this Newsletter and visit our website for more information. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.
- Ge Sun
Director, Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center
Next page » Return to contents
