This training school will focus on the sentinel plant concept as a critical tool for safeguarding urban trees and forests from invasive pests and pathogens. The concept is defined and explained for its implementation in the EPPO Phytosanitary procedure PM 3/91(1) Sentinel woody plants: concepts and application. Held at the beautiful Atatürk Arboretum, which hosts hundreds of native and non-native plant species, the program offers a unique opportunity for participants to explore theoretical and practical aspects of invasion biology and biosecurity in urban forests. The training will provide attendees with the latest insights into pest and pathogen monitoring, diagnostics, and biosecurity strategies, emphasizing using sentinel trees in arboreta as a biosecurity tool.

This training school is a great opportunity to learn about and contribute to the biosecurity of urban trees, particularly considering the increasing threats from invasive species. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the sentinel plant concept and practical experience in monitoring and diagnostics while networking with leading experts in the field.

Target groups:

PhD students, early-career researchers, professionals involved in urban tree management, and biosecurity experts interested in plant health and urban forest biosecurity.

Selection of participants will prioritize those from ITC countries, in line with COST Action criteria.

PHD students will receive 3 ETC certificate from this training school.

Local Organizers: Dr Hatice Tugba DOĞMUŞ LEHTİJARVİ and Dr Funda OSKAY

Find the preliminary programm below.

Interested to join the Training School?

To join the Training School, send your application to Johanna WITZELL and in cc Andrea VANNINI latest on February 28th, 2025. The application should contain your curriculum vitae and a motivation letter (1 page) explaining why you are interested in this Training School and how you plan to use the knowledge and skills from the Training School. The expert instructors will evaluate and rank the applications, and the acceptance letters will be sent at the latest on March 15th, 2025.

Send your application to:

Johanna.Witzell@lnu.se  and  vannini@unitus.it