This fund was initiated by the APS Forest Pathology Committee and was made possible by gifts from many individuals interested in advancing the profession of forest pathology; the first travel award was given at the 2004 APS Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California.
The Forest Pathology Student Travel Fund was established to support and encourage the participation of exceptional forest pathology students at the APS Annual Meetings. Since Robert Hartig’s first writings on forest pathology in 1874, the interchange among professionals in multiple disciplines, such as phytopathology, genetics, and forestry, has been indispensable to the study of forest pathology. This fund will promote interaction with diverse students of forest pathology, while fostering creative approaches to research and/or teaching. In addition, this fund is designed to encourage oral and/or poster presentations that enable defense and discussion of research methods, results, and conclusions. This participation will better prepare forest pathology students for future research, teaching, or practice.
The approaches and perspectives of forest pathology are unique because of the lifespan of the host, the dynamic nature of the forest stands, and the complex interactions within diverse forest ecosystems. Long-term growth and production periods promote diverse values, such as wood/fiber production, recreation, or ecosystem sustainability. Strategies for managing forest pathogens under various environments and objectives are dependent on interaction among basic and applied scientists. Concepts and philosophies exchanged at international meetings enrich participants’ understanding of forest pathology principles. Travel to APS Annual Meetings allows forest pathology students to present their work and interact with other plant pathologists in an international arena, thereby offering substantial long-term benefits to their future careers.
