February 17, 2026, 8:30 AM-3 PM ET

Longship Club, Kroger Field, 1540 University Drive, Lexington, Kentucky

Registration (8:00-8:30)

Welcome and Introductions, Dr. Ellen Crocker, University of Kentucky, and Alexandra Blevins, Kentucky Division of Forestry (8:30-8:35)

Opening Address, Dr. Laura Stephenson, University of Kentucky (8:35-8:50)

Kentucky Forest Health Updates, Alexandra Blevins, Kentucky Division of Forestry (8:50-9:20)

Interactions Between Invasive Plants and White-Tailed Deer, Dr. David Gorchov, Miami University (Ohio) (9:20-10)
 

Break 10:00-10:15
 

An Old Nemesis and the New Kid on the Block: Update on Emerald Ash Borer and Beech Leaf Disease, Dr. Chad Rigsby, The Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories (10:15-11)

Emerging Sassafras Wilt Not Associated with Laurel Wilt Disease: Signs, Symptoms, and Potential Causal Agents, Olivia Bigham, Purdue University (11-11:30)

White Pine Dieback: Livin’ On The Edge, Brian Heath, North Carolina Forest Service (11:30-12)
 

Lunch (provided) (12:00-1:20)
 

Student-Driven Forest Management Across a Rural-Urban Gradient of Natural Areas, Dr. David Brown, Eastern Kentucky University (1:20-1:50)
 

New Technology: Using RNA Interference to Protect Forest Trees (1:50-2:50)

1.  Dr. Lynne Rieske-Kinney, University of Kentucky
2. Dr. Tyler Dreaden, USDA Forest Service SRS
3. Dr. Joshua Konkol, University of Kentucky
4. Dr. Flavia Pampolini, University of Kentucky
5. Joy Miracle, University of Kentucky
    

Wrap-Up, Survey, and Adjourn, Dr. Ellen Crocker, University of Kentucky, (2:50-3)