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iForest

Eyes on the Forest
iforest.misin.msu.edu

Funding Sources: Midwest Invasive Plant Network

The Eyes on the Forest (iForest) program, led by Michigan State University Extension and integrated with the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN), engages the public in monitoring and protecting Michigan’s trees. Volunteers adopt “Sentinel Trees” in backyards, parks, or forests, helping to detect invasive threats early and inform rapid response efforts.

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Project deliverables

01     Sentinel Tree Database
02    Volunteer Training Materials
03    Public Outreach Campaigns
04    Targeted Pest Reports
05    Mobile Reporting Tools

Overview and Summary

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Key Achievements & Impacts

Protect Forest Resources
  • Early Pest Detection – Citizen monitoring catches invasive pests like the hemlock woolly adelgid before they spread widely, preventing large-scale tree loss.
  • Safeguards Key Species – Monitoring maple and ash protects keystone species that support wildlife and provide important forest products.
  • Preserves Biodiversity – Preventing outbreaks maintains healthy forest canopies, understory plants, and the wildlife that depend on them.
Build Public Engagement
  • Citizen Science Participation – Volunteers adopt and monitor trees, deepening their understanding of forest health and invasive species.
  • Community Outreach – Webinars, workshops, and local events encourage residents to become advocates for forest protection.
  • Youth Education – Schools and youth groups integrate Sentinel Tree monitoring into science programs, fostering stewardship in the next generation.
Increase Management Capacity
  • Expanded Monitoring Network – Thousands of eyes in the field extend agency capacity far beyond what staff alone can cover.
  • Timely Reporting – Volunteer observations provide real-time alerts that can trigger professional surveys and management action.
  • Resource Efficiency – Citizen monitoring reduces survey costs for agencies, allowing limited funds to be directed toward rapid response and control.
Strengthen Forest Resilience
  • Climate Adaptation – Healthy, diverse forests are better able to withstand drought, storms, and shifting weather patterns.
  • Prevent Cascading Impacts – Protecting host trees like ash, hemlock, and maple reduces the risk of secondary invasions from opportunistic plants and pests.
  • Sustain Long-Term Productivity – Maintaining intact forests ensures the continued supply of timber, maple syrup, recreation opportunities, and other renewable resources.

Highlights

Plant Patrol – Get Started!

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MISIN Learn

MISIN Learn is built on the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS) and expands upon the invasive species training modules traditionally offered on the MISIN website. The platform allows users to:

  • Track completed training modules and quiz scores.

  • Earn digital badges and certificates for specific modules.

  • Access new training opportunities and resources to support invasive species detection and identification.

MISIN Learn provides valuable tools for both experts and citizen scientists, strengthening skills in recognizing and reporting invasive species.

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Fact Sheet Catalog

The MISIN “Species Information Sheets” catalog includes over 500 fact sheets, each devoted to a different non‐native or invasive species.

  • For each species, the fact sheet typically includes:

    • Common name and scientific name.

    • Family and classification.

    • Type (e.g. plant, animal) and life history (duration: annual, perennial; aquatic/terrestrial, etc.).

    • Habit or growth form (aquatic, herb, shrub, etc.).

  • The purpose is to give users, particularly researchers, resource managers, experts, and citizen scientists, reliable species‐level information to aid with identification, monitoring, reporting, and management efforts.

  • Because each sheet includes both scientific detail (taxonomy, life cycle) and ecological context (habit, growth form), they serve both as field identification tools and as reference documents for planning responses.

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