Tree Health Learning Pathway for Citizens

Aim

• The aim of this “tree health learning pathway” is to provide information and guidance to encourage anyone to engage with and get involved with nature, and with trees and tree pests and diseases, in particular

Who is it for?

• This learning pathway is aimed at everyone and caters for all ages and abilities

How does it work?

• Tree health in the learning pathway focuses mainly on harm to trees caused by pests and diseases. Many other factors, such as drought and physical damage can also harm trees.
• The pathway consists of ‘Steps’:
  • “Specialisation” increases from left to right along the pathway; from ‘nature’ to ‘trees’ to ‘tree pests and diseases’
  • “Level of expertise” increases from the bottom to the top of the pathway; from ‘beginner’, to ‘improver’ to ‘experienced’
• All steps on the pathway have equal importance
• If your enthusiasm is captured and you want to learn more, you can move to the next step but if you find a Step that suits you, it’s fine to stay there.  You can make a positive contribution at any step
• For each Step on the pathway, links to relevant activities and guidance are presented in the tables below.
• A 9-minute video explaining the tree health learning pathway appears below.

Getting started

• Start at Step 1. If you already have existing knowledge of nature and trees, then jump in at any Step suitable to your knowledge, including to Step 3(a) if you have existing knowledge of tree pest and diseases
• At any step, connect to the links/resources and simply have a go at anything that interests you

Moving along the pathway

• If you find that you are interested in trees and want to learn more, move to Step 2(a) and then, if you are interested in tree pests and diseases, on to Step 3(a)
• Alternatively, if you find that you are interested in aspects of nature other than trees (e.g. birds, bees, butterflies, mammals, fungi etc.) then an alternative pathway has been provided for you at Step 2(b) and Step 3(b)
• If you get to Step 3(a) or Step 3(b) and want to keep learning, then carry on further
• Also, if you reach Step 3(a) ‘trees’ or Step 3(b) ‘other species’, you are encouraged to apply your skills of identification, recording and reporting to look out for all species

Video Explaining the Learning Pathway

Step 1: “Get started with Nature“

AFTER STEP 1, you should:

• Know about wildlife sites in your local area
• Be familiar with some of the most common plant, animal and fungal species
• Perhaps have developed an area(s) of special interest

Step 2(a): “Improve your knowledge of trees“
(If you decide that you have a particular interest in trees.)

AFTER STEP 2(a), you should:

• Know about woodlands in your local area
• Be able to identify the most common species of tree
• Have participated in a general tree citizen science activity

Step 2(b): “Improve your knowledge of other species“
(If you decide that you have a particular interest in species other than trees.)

AFTER STEP 2(b), you should:

• Know about wildlife sites in your local area
• Be able to identify some of the most common plant, animal and fungal species
• Have participated in a general citizen science activity

STEP 3(a): “Support the tree health surveillance and research communities” & “Learn about tree pests and diseases“

AFTER STEP 3(a), you should:

• Be able to identify some of the most common pests and diseases of trees
• Know how to report any suspicious sightings of potentially new tree pests and diseases
• Feel part of the network of people contributing to science protecting our trees from pests and diseases

Step 3b: “Support the biological recording community“

AFTER STEP 3b, you should:

• Be able to identify many species of plants, animals, fungi etc. depending on your area of interest
• Feel part of the biological recording community
• If needed, know how to report any suspicious sightings of potentially new tree pests and diseases

Biosecurity

Finally, the table below lists a few resources to help you enjoy the countryside and woodlands without inadvertently spreading pests and diseases yourselves.