The National Plant Diagnostic Network: First detector training and education
R. W. HOENISCH (1), S. Cain (2), G. E. Ruhl (2), D. L. Clement (3), S. Dobesh (4), J. Stack (4), M. A. Draper (5), A. P. Dunfee (6), G. K. Douce (7), J. LaForest (7), A. C. Hodges (8), S. D. Stocks (8), W. Hoffman (5), N. A. Hummel (9), R. L. McCarthy (10), K. L. Snover-Clift (10), H. Watters (11)
(1) University of California, Davis, CA, U.S.A.; (2) Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, U.S.A.; (3) University of Maryland, Ellicot City, MD, U.S.A.; (4) Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, U.S.A.; (5) USDA-National Institute for Food and Agriculture, Washington, DC, U.S.A.; (6) Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, U.S.A.; (7) University of Georgia, Tifton, GA, U.S.A.; (8) University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, U.S.A.; (9) Louisiana State University, Baton Rogue, LA, U.S.A.; (10) Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, U.S.A.; (11) Ohio State University, Urbana, OH, U.S.A.
Phytopathology 101:S73

Invasive arthropods, plant diseases, and weeds cost U.S. agriculture billions of dollars annually through direct pest damage and indirectly via eradication and management programs. Each year, integrated pest management (IPM) programs are disrupted by the threat of new, unwanted invaders. In order to raise awareness concerning the threat of invasive species and appropriate sampling as well as communication protocols, the NPDN launched an extensive First Detector training program in 2003. First Detector training occurs through traditional, face-to-face training (2003–2011), interactive, content management-based E-Learning modules (2008–2011), and a wiki platform-based series of pest information pages (2008–2011). First Detectors completing training receive certificates of completion, and the national First Detector newsletter. Nationwide to date, 10,736 First Detectors have been trained in 821 training sessions conducted by First Detector Educators, and 799 have participated in the E-Learning FD training.