Healthy trees-Healthy people: A model for engaging citizen scientists in exotic pest detection in urban parks

Healthy Trees ? Healthy People (HT-HP) is an outreach and education program created to enlist and train par-ticipants in exotic pest detection while providing them with structured opportunities to connect with urban nature and increase their physical and emotional health. HT-HP creates infrastructure to increase engagement by the urban populace in the urban tree canopy. The program solicits participants to engage in an 8-week inter-vention designed to expand capacity to detect non-native insect pests and pathogens, while increasing physical activity, raising awareness of healthy lifestyle choices, and improving the health of participants. Program par-ticipants were trained in tree and tree pest identification to provide ?eyes on the ground? that can contribute to exotic pest detection, reducing the risk of pest establishment, and increasing the sustainability of urban tree canopies. Participants in this pilot program reported significant improvements in their knowledge of tree identification and tree care, an awareness of, and ability to identify selected exotic invasive tree pests, and improved mindfulness. Healthy Trees ? Healthy People is nimble, easily adaptable, and serves as a unique model that could include tailored tree identification and pest detection. The program can engage citizen scientists in exotic pest detection while increasing usage of urban parks.

Automated summary

The Healthy Trees ? Healthy People (HT-HP) program trains participants in exotic pest detection while encouraging connections with urban nature and promoting physical and emotional health. The program aims to increase engagement in urban tree canopy protection and sustainability by providing structured opportunities for participants to improve their knowledge of tree care and identification. HT-HP serves as a unique and adaptable model that can engage citizen scientists in exotic pest detection and increase usage of urban parks.