A Year in the Life of a Mountain Pine Beetle: Buford’s Story

Location

Natural Resources Meeting Room

Event Website

http://uenr.warnercnr.colostate.edu/

Start Date

3-23-2012 1:40 PM

End Date

3-23-2012 2:00 PM

Description

The current mountain pine beetle (MPB) epidemic continues to be the predominant ongoing forest health issue in the state. In addition to ecological ramifications, MPB has affected safety, communities, infrastructure, wood products, recreation, tourism, water, the economy. It also has had an emotional effect. When mountains of red and dead trees are visible, the mountain pine beetle has a reputation for being an agent of destruction and devastation; however, the MPB is part of a natural cycle of our constantly changing forests. This is a hard concept to convey to audiences who have lived with tall, green trees for their entire lives. Most of the information available about MPB is contained in scientific papers and other publications. To teach people about MPB, A Year in the Life of a Mountain Pine Beetle, a cartoon story about Buford was developed. In this story, Buford explains his role in the ecosystem and the importance of forest management. Originally Buford was developed as a “kid’s book for adults” and was written at an adult level. However, kids and adults of all ages have grown to love Buford. The book is now being used as a teaching aid in schools and outreach programs. It has expanded into a coloring book, and a subject for temporary tattoos, posters and power point presentations. Buford has become a great educational tool for teaching people of all audiences and ages about Colorado’s mountain pine beetle epidemic and the benefits of forest management.

Comments

Citation: Mason, Lisa. 2012. A Year in the Life of a Mountain Pine Beetle: Buford’s Story. UENR 9th Biennial Conference. http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cuenr/9thBiennial/Plenary/10/

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Mar 23rd, 1:40 PM Mar 23rd, 2:00 PM

A Year in the Life of a Mountain Pine Beetle: Buford’s Story

Natural Resources Meeting Room

The current mountain pine beetle (MPB) epidemic continues to be the predominant ongoing forest health issue in the state. In addition to ecological ramifications, MPB has affected safety, communities, infrastructure, wood products, recreation, tourism, water, the economy. It also has had an emotional effect. When mountains of red and dead trees are visible, the mountain pine beetle has a reputation for being an agent of destruction and devastation; however, the MPB is part of a natural cycle of our constantly changing forests. This is a hard concept to convey to audiences who have lived with tall, green trees for their entire lives. Most of the information available about MPB is contained in scientific papers and other publications. To teach people about MPB, A Year in the Life of a Mountain Pine Beetle, a cartoon story about Buford was developed. In this story, Buford explains his role in the ecosystem and the importance of forest management. Originally Buford was developed as a “kid’s book for adults” and was written at an adult level. However, kids and adults of all ages have grown to love Buford. The book is now being used as a teaching aid in schools and outreach programs. It has expanded into a coloring book, and a subject for temporary tattoos, posters and power point presentations. Buford has become a great educational tool for teaching people of all audiences and ages about Colorado’s mountain pine beetle epidemic and the benefits of forest management.

https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cuenr/9thBiennial/Plenary/10