Dr. David R. Coyle
David Coyle
PhD, University of Wisconsin, Forest Entomology
M.S., Iowa State University, Entomology and Forestry
B.A., Luther College, Biology
Dr. Molly N. Darr
Molly Darr
Ph.D., Virginia Tech, Forest Entomology
B.Sc., Virginia Tech, Wildlife Science
About Us

The Southern Regional Extension Forestry (SREF) Forest Health Program was created in 2015 by Drs. David Coyle and William Hubbard with support from the USDA Forest Service – Forest Health Protection Unit, the Southern Group of State Foresters,  and the University of Georgia's – D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources and the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. This regional forest health and invasive species education and outreach program is led by Dr. David Coyle, a forest health specialist with over 20 years of experience in the eastern U.S. Dr. Coyle has considerable experience with pest management in both pine and hardwood ecosystems. The Program's mission is to provide a central point for education and information pertaining to forest health issues and invasive species impacting southeastern U.S. forests. We strive to make available the most current information in a variety of platforms and media, including downloadable literature and fact sheets, editable powerpoint files, and short videos. A webinar series began in early 2016, with monthly presentations focused on important forest health topics in the southeastern U.S. Ultimately, we are working towards consistent education across the southeastern region with regards to forest health and invasive species.  Special attention and focus is placed on professional development of our front line educators; the County Extension Agent, and the state agency service forester at the county, district and state level.

David R. Coyle

As of August 2018, Dave is an Assistant Professor of Forest Health and Invasive Species in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation at Clemson University.  He will continue to direct this regional program as part of his responsibilities.

Prior to joining SREF, Dave completed a M.S. at Iowa State University and worked for the USDA Forest Service in South Carolina in the areas of woody biomass production and pest management. His Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin was focused on the impact of invasive root-feeding beetles in natural hardwood forests. Most recently, Dave worked as a postdoctoral research associate for UGA - Warnell conducting research and providing outreach on pine health issues such as southern pine beetle and pine decline, as well as hardwood defoliators. Dave has extensive experience with southern forest pests, silviculture, management, and woody biomass systems.  He is President of the North American Invasive Species Management Association, serves on the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Exotic Plant Pest Council, is a member of the South Carolina Invasive Species Advisory Committee, and is Co-Director of ProForest.  He was awarded the 2017 Southeastern Society of American Foresters Award for Excellence in Public Education and Technology Transfer, and this program was awarded the 2018 Gold Award for Websites -Social Media - Online courses by the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals.

Molly N. Darr

Molly is a post-doctoral associate in the Forest Health and Invasive Species Extension lab within the Clemson University Department of Forestry & Environmental Conservation. Molly directs and maintains the Southern Forest Health and Invasive Species program, and educates landowners and citizens on issues related to invasive species through social media interactions, in-person workshops and by writing for the popular press. Prior to joining SREF, she worked as a tree fruit entomologist in Wenatchee, WA, where she provided expertise in entomology, pathology, tree health and management in an orchard setting. Molly graduated from Virginia Tech, where she received her Ph.D. in Forest Entomology. She grew up in a small town called Lovettsville in northern Virginia and currently works remotely from Wenatchee, WA where she lives with her husband and dog. 

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