The Maine Spruce Budworm Task Force was formed in summer 2013 by the University of Maine’s Cooperative Forestry Research Unit (CFRU), Maine Forest Service (MFS), and Maine Forest Products Council (MFPC) to begin preparing for the next outbreak of the eastern spruce budworm. The original Task Force leaders were Robert G. Wagner (Director, Cooperative Forestry Research Unit, University of Maine), Patrick Strauch (Executive Director, Maine Forest Products Council), and
Doug Denico (Director, Maine Forest Service).
Task Teams
Given the breadth of knowledge required to conduct an initial risk assessment and preparation and response recommendations for Maine’s forestry industry, the effort was divided into 7 task teams representing key areas of expertise.
- Forest Management
- Wildife Habitat
- Public Communications & Outreach
- Research Needs
- Policy, Regulation, & Funding
- Monitoring & Protection
- Wood Supply & Economic Impacts