Project Overview

Reports

Commodities

Target Pests

Practices

Vertebrate pests, such as some fur-bearing animals including wildlife, non-native rodents, reptiles, and birds, affect all of us–no matter where we live or what we do.  Integrated management of vertebrate pests (IVPM) is generally overlooked as an IPM discipline partly due to the variable and isolated nature of pest infestations, and scarcity of expertise in the land-grant system. However, with an increase in vertebrate pest/human conflicts, IVPM is needed now more than ever. 

The project team is part of a larger effort bridging the gap between pesticide safety education and IPM. This effort has been underway since 2019 and includes a very diverse and skilled group of stakeholders.

Our team proposes to assess the needs/desires of Extension Educators in Western Region states and territories to determine the content and format of educational resources on integrated vertebrate pest management. As part of this assessment the team will compile and review current IPM educational materials for vertebrate pest management (e.g., factsheets, videos, etc.), revealed in the needs assessment of Extension Educators or recognized by our team, to determine their merit for wider use, or for revision/enhancement to address resource shortfalls. The assessment will include a specific focus on the Pacific Island Territories in collaboration with the Pacific Island Collaboration Team that leverages EPA Region 9 funding. 

There is already interest expressed by team members and other stakeholders to create the outline for an online course on integrated management of vertebrate pests and conduct a preliminary assessment of its utility with educators as part of the project objectives. 

This Outreach and Implementation project is a strong fit in three of the Western IPM Center grant program priorities: IPM Culture and Capacity; IPM for Indigenous, Insular and Isolated People; and, Urban Pest Management. We will actively involve end-users (Extension Educators/Agents) to assess their needs as “first responders” and conveyors of information, education and resources that promote effective, affordable and environmentally sound pest management practices for vertebrate pests.

1. Assess the needs/desires of Extension Educators in Western Region states and territories to determine the content and format of educational resources on integrated vertebrate pest management. 
   
   
2. Evaluate current IPM educational materials for vertebrate pest management (e.g., factsheets, videos, etc.), revealed in the needs assessment of Extension Educators or recognized by our team, to determine their merit for wider use, or for revision/enhancement to address resource shortfalls.
   
   
3. Prioritize the greatest needs for educational material. Create the outline for an online course on integrated management of vertebrate pests and
   conduct a preliminary assessment of its utility with educators. This assessment will include a specific focus on the Pacific Island Territories in collaboration with the Pacific Island Collaboration Team that leverages EPA Region 9 funding.