Tree health and biosecurity - online workshop

28 March 2023

Join members of the Forestry Commission’s Plant Health Forestry Team for a tree health workshop, explore what to look out for and learn about biosecurity best practice.

Tree Health and Biosecurity Online Workshop

Tuesday 28 March | 2 – 4.30pm | Online 

Join members of the Forestry Commission’s Plant Health Forestry Team for a tree health workshop where we will be discussing tree pests and diseases of most concern, here in the Dales, the UK and on the horizon. We will explore the main signs and symptoms to look out for and how to report anything suspicious. We will also cover biosecurity best practise and the steps you can take to reduce the risk of accidentally spreading harmful pests and disease.

Booking

Please email woodlands@ydmt.org to book a place on this online workshop and we will send you details of how to attend. 

About the speakers  

In this online workshop we'll be joined by members of the Forestry Commission’s Plant Health Forestry Team: 

Becki Gawthorpe
Biosecurity & Awareness Manager, Plant Health Forestry

Biosecurity in a plant health context is a set of measures that aim to prevent the introduction and spread of plant pests and diseases. I have a national role, tasked with co-ordinating the Forestry Commission's specialist tree health biosecurity programme and leading the production of Plant Health Forestry communications such as extension materials and regulations to support the protection of Great Britain’s trees, woods, and forests.

Mauro Lanfranchi
Tree Health Officer Yorkshire and the North-East

Passionate about trees and forests, my role supports healthy trees and covers post aerial survey analysis and outbreak management inland. I work to provide early detection and minimise impacts of harmful tree pests and diseases.

Nathaniel Callaghan
Operational Support Officer (Yorkshire and the North-East), Plant Health Forestry

Passionate about forestry, in particular forest management and forest pathology and entomology. I work alongside Mauro Lanfranchi to conduct inland surveys and tree health inspections to minimise the impacts of pests and diseases on our nations’ trees and forests.

Emma Aspin
Biosecurity Officer, Plant Health Forestry

I recently joined the Biosecurity team after finishing my PhD in behavioural ecology and pest management. During my studies, I spent some time working ‘down under’ on an insect pest of grapevine in Adelaide, Australia. I took part in multiple outreach and science communication activities during my course and enjoyed it so much that I’ve decided to step beyond the laboratory and take on a communications role full-time.

My new position will involve engaging with a range of audiences and disseminating information on biosecurity across the UK.

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