About the Forest Pest Management Program
The Forest Pest Management Program assists landowners and resource managers in identifying and managing forest insects and diseases on their forested properties. We also work to prevent and control non-native invasive insects and diseases that threaten Montana’s forests.
What We Do
Consultations
DNRC Service Foresters, located statewide, provide consultations to private forest landowners. They are knowledgeable about forest pests and provide appropriate recommendations on prevention and mitigation practices.
Education
We provide a variety of trainings, workshops, and public presentations designed to meet the needs of diverse audiences. We also offer free educational resources and publications online.
Upcoming Learning Opportunities
Wednesday, June 3-Thursday June 4
Red Lodge, MT
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Forest Pest Management program will be hosting a free, in-person insect and disease training for natural resource professionals in Red Lodge, MT, June 3-4, 2026. Each day will consist of morning lectures followed by afternoon field sessions. Participants will learn to distinguish between abiotic and biotic damages, identify forest insects and diseases common to Montana, and discuss management options. Presenters include USFS Forest Health Protection as well as DNRC Forest Pest Management program staff. This training will be submitted to MDA and SAF for continuing education credits.
Please fill out the form below no later than Friday, March 27 to express interest. Due to limited space and statewide training needs, filling out the form does not guarantee a spot. You will be notified no later than Friday, April 3 if you are selected to attend; all others will be put on our waitlist. Please contact us immediately if you need to withdraw, as demand will likely exceed capacity. For questions, contact rose.picklo@mt.gov.
Tuesday, June 16-Thursday, June 18
Kalispell, MT
This cooperative training is presented by the U.S. Forest Service and MT DNRC and open to natural resource professionals. Individuals from government agencies, tribes, universities, and private industries are welcome. There is no cost to attend.
These courses teach skills in identification, biology, and life cycles of forest insects and pathogens while focusing on the role of forest insects and diseases common to the area and strategies used to manage changes they cause in forested ecosystems. Upon completion students will: 1) understand the basic biology and life cycles of common forest insects and pathogens, 2) be able to identify common forest insects and diseases and the damage they cause, 3) be familiar with use of the regional forest insect and disease field guide, 4) understand the effects of insects and diseases and the importance of the damage they cause to multiple resources in forest ecosystems and 5) be familiar with silvicultural, chemical, and biological control measures currently available to reduce insect and disease-caused forest damage.
Registration must be received no later than Friday, April 24. You will be contacted shortly after registration closes for confirmation or placement on the waiting list.
Collaboration
The Forest Pest Management Program collaborates with other state and federal agencies to conduct trapping, sampling, site visits, aerial detection, and ground surveys. Findings are summarized in the annual Forest Health Highlights, which inform management practices amongst interagency partners and enables rapid response to outbreaks. We also administer Western Bark Beetle Initiative Grants, which support thinning projects on non-federal public lands in order to promote resiliency to bark beetle outbreaks.
Forest Health Highlights: 2022, 2023, 2024
Forest Pest Management Program Highlight
White Pine Blister Rust Impact Study | Fall 2024
DNRC forest pest specialists are studying the impacts of white pine blister rust on limber pine on the Rocky Mountain Front along with the U.S. Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy. In 2024, specialists remeasured plots near Choteau that were installed in 2017 and collected data for an interagency impact study on the disease. The study will help DNRC and its partners determine the status of limber pine and better understand the timeline of decline.
Contact the Forest Pest Management Program
The Forest Pest Management Program supports service foresters throughout Montana. Contact your local service forester for questions regarding insects and diseases in your area.
2705 Spurgin Rd Missoula, MT 59804