Entomologist Dr. Elizabeth Graham to present on Western Blackheaded Budworms October 1

Western blackheaded budworms are a natural part of the forests in Southeast Alaska. Typically their populations are low and damage is negligible, but every 30 to 40 years their numbers build up and they become the most significant disturbance agent in the forest.

Juneau, Alaska

Date of Press Release: September 27, 2021

The annual fall lecture series Evening at Egan continues this Friday, October 1 at 7 pm with a virtual presentation by entomologist Dr. Elizabeth Graham of the USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection. Graham describes her presentation: “Western blackheaded budworms are a natural part of the forests in Southeast Alaska. Typically their populations are low and damage is negligible, but every 30 to 40 years their numbers build up and they become the most significant disturbance agent in the forest. An outbreak is currently underway with damage visible in most communities throughout Southeast Alaska. A look back at previous outbreaks and the impacts will be reviewed as well as the status of the current outbreak.”

This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic all Evening at Egan events will be offered virtually using Zoom. The full line-up of speakers and registration links is currently live. Once registered, a link is provided to the participant. After each event, the lectures are posted to the UAS YouTube channel. These videos can also be accessed on the Evening with Egan webpage, with the button for each lecture changing its label from “free registration” to “watch video.”

Upcoming speakers

• October 8 - Wendy F. Smythe, Ph.D., Xáadas: “The Science in Our Stories: Connection To Place, Belonging, and Security For Native Students In STEM Education”
• October 15 - Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson, President, Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska: “The Interrelationships between Tribes, Corporations, and City, State and Federal Governments”
• October 22 - Joel Markis, Associate Professor and Program Director, Applied Fisheries: “Fisheries, Aquaculture and Mariculture in Southeast Alaska”
• October 29 - Dr. Megan Buzby, Associate Professor of Mathematics: “The `Real' World, from One Mathematician's Point of View”
• November 5 - Jason Gootee: “Health Insurance in Alaska – a look at the 2022 environment”
• November 12 - Ronalda Cadiente Brown, Associate Vice Chancellor for Alaska Native Programming and Director of the PITAAS Program: “Alaska Native Success Initiative”
• November 19 - Renee Tl'aagunk Culp, Juvenile Justice Coordinator, Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska: “I too yei yatee - It is within you: Generational Trauma & Resiliency”

Updates for the lectures series. Lectures can be watched live or recorded on Youtube.