Forest Health Network Forum 2026

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COG is the one place in metropolitan Washington that regularly brings leaders together to develop solutions to the region's major challenges. COG prepares plans enabling the region to receive federal funding, provides members with research and data to inform decision-making, and offers a wide range of programs, including commuter services, cooperative purchasing, technical assistance and grants, and public outreach campaigns.

Transportation

Through the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), area officials, planners, and engineers ensure a well-managed and maintained transportation system. The TPB, which is staffed by COG, conducts the federally mandated transportation planning process for the region and ensures the uninterrupted flow of federal transportation funds that area jurisdictions receive.

Environment

COG's work engages leaders in various environmental fields from water quality experts to climate scientists. Together, they are advancing regional efforts to restore local waterways, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change, promote recycling, and enhance and preserve green space and agriculture.

Community & Economy

Area officials and experts, including planning and housing directors and child welfare and health officials, work together with their counterparts at COG to help shape stronger communities throughout the region.

Homeland Security & Public Safety

COG brings police chiefs, fire chiefs, emergency managers, and other leaders together as part of its work to strengthen regional public safety coordination, homeland security planning, and emergency communication.

Home>Events>Forest Health Network Forum 2026

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Tuesday, June 23, 2026

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

COG Conference Call/Webinar Only

Contact: Sara Tangren
stangren@mwcog.org

Forest Health Network Forum 2026

ISA and LTE CEUs have been approved.

Hosted by COG’s Forest Health Network

and sponsored by a grant from the

Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Forest Service

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Online

11:00 A.M. - Call to order / Welcome

Sara Tangren – Coordinator of National Capital PRISM, COG

11:05 A.M. - Beech Leaf Disease Treatment Update – Joan Allen, Branch Chief, Fairfax County Urban Forestry Division,

Joan Allen specializes in monitoring and treating destructive tree pests (such as the spotted lanternfly, Asian longhorned beetle, and beech leaf disease). Today she brings us the latest news from the field of beech leaf disease management.

11:25 P.M. - Golden Oyster Mushrooms – Serenella Linares, Prince George’s County Parks, MNCPPC

Serenella Linares is Facility Director for the Mount Ranier Nature Center, an expert in environmental education, and a mycologist extraordinaire. Today she’ll talk about our most recent fungus to infest our forests, its role in ecosystems, probable impact, and what, if anything, we might do about it.

12:10 P.M. - DC’s Urban Wood Re-Use Program – Shaun Kim & Samuel Doan, Urban Forestry Division, D.C. Department of Transportation

Washington D.C. has developed a municipal Urban Wood Reuse Program that successfully repurposes publicly owned trees that reach the end of their life. This presentation tells the story of how a small idea grew into a municipal Urban Wood Reuse Program that now supports schools, parks, workforce training programs, and community organizations.

12:55 P.M. - Final Thoughts & Adjourn at 1 p.m.

You do not need to register for this event. This is the meeting link:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/285522653433921?p=u4X9TRBBjztOX6NKHY

This event will be recorded. If you have questions, email stangren@mwcog.org.

This workshop is made possible by funding from the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement CB96336601 to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources through a Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant.

Upcoming Meetings|Past Meetings|

Committees:

Community Forestry Network