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 25 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

Dave is an Associate Professor of Forest Health and Invasive Species in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation at Clemson University.  He continues to direct this regional program as part of his responsibilities, which include providing outreach and education to both professionals and landowners throughout the southeastern U.S. Dave’s work focuses on invasive species detection and management, including insects, fungi, and plants. His Extension program provides advanced training to professionals from many different agencies and municipalities in the areas of forest and tree health. Dave has extensive experience with southern forest pests, invasive species, silviculture, management, and woody biomass systems, and provides information on several social media platforms as @drdavecoyle. Dave’s research program focuses on the Asian longhorned beetle and invasive plant management strategies. He is Past President of the North American Invasive Species Management Association, serves on the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Exotic Plant Pest Council, and is a member of the South Carolina Invasive Species Advisory Committee.  He has received awards from the Forest Landowners Association, Entomological Society of America, Society of American Foresters, Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals, and South Carolina Association of County Agricultural Agents.

Katy Crout Moretti

Katy is a member of the Forest Health and Invasive Species Extension lab within the Clemson University Department of Forestry & Environmental Conservation. Katy currently coordinates and maintains the regional Southern Forest Health and Invasive Species program. Prior to joining the SREF team, she worked as an outreach technician in Charleston, South Carolina assisting with Asian longhorned beetle research and public education. Katy graduated from Clemson University, where she received her M.S. in Forest Resources after completing research on laurel wilt in sassafras along the leading edge of disease progression. She received her B.S. in biology at Newberry College where she also worked in the school's herbarium and assisted with field surveys of May-white azalea populations.

Molly N. Darr

Molly is a Forest Health Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor at Washington State University. From 2018 to 2022 Molly worked as a postdoctoral associate at Clemson University, where she directed the Southern Forest Health and Invasive Species program, and educated landowners and citizens on issues related to invasive species through social media interactions, in-person workshops and by writing for the popular press. We’re so thankful for all the work Molly did for this program and wish her the best in her new endeavors! You can check out what she’s doing for Washington State at her page here: https://forestry.wsu.edu/wsu-extension-forestry/