Cornell seal
Back

Discover CALS

See how our current work and research is bringing new thinking and new solutions to some of today's biggest challenges.

Conference

Keynote - 2026 Cornell IPM Annual Conference

Share
  • Urban and Landscape Design
  • Urban ecology
A headshot of a person with glasses and a light-colored goatee standing in front of a sun-dappled grove

This event is part of Cornell IPM's 2026 Conference—Urban Tree Health: New Pest and Disease Challenges

Trees and change: can our community forests keep pace?

Competition for space, temperature extremes and invasive pests continue to be among a palate of challenges impacting our urban forests. Yet our desire for greenery in the urban landscape persists. Join Rick Harper, University of Massachusetts, as he discusses broad considerations and practical solutions in support of our urban trees.

Scroll down for information about the keynote speaker and the 2026 Cornell IPM Annual Conference.

Date & Time

July 24, 2026
1:30 pm - 2:15 pm

About the speaker

Richard W. Harper, Ph.D.
Professor and extension urban forestry specialist at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Rick is a professor and extension urban forestry specialist at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) board certified master arborist and past president of the New England Chapter of ISA. He currently teaches courses and administers an applied integrated research and extension program in urban and community forestry. Harper received his doctorate in Forest Resources-Arboriculture from the University of Massachusetts and has a bachelor’s degree in forest conservation/management from Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Canada.

About the Cornell IPM Annual Conference

This keynote address is part of the 2026 Cornell IPM Annual Conference: Urban Tree Health: New Pest and Disease Challenges. Learn more about the full conference agenda on the Cornell IPM Annual Conference page.

More information about this event.

Contact Information

Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, Associate Director, Community and Urban IPM Coordinator, Cornell Integrated Pest Management

  • jlg23 [at] cornell.edu

Speaker

Richard Harper, Ph.D., Professor and extension urban forestry specialist

Departments

Cornell Integrated Pest Management

Related Events

Conference

Panel Discussion - 2026 Cornell IPM Annual Conference
This event is part of Cornell IPM's 2026 Conference—Urban Tree Health: New Pest and Disease Challenges Emerging threats to urban tree health Urban forests are facing an unprecedented convergence of emerging threats driven by global trade...
  • Urban and Landscape Design
  • Urban ecology
A small clear creek running through a sunny clearing amongst tall leafy trees, at late afternoon, viewed from about 5 feet above the ground.

Conference

2026 Cornell IPM Annual Conference
Urban Tree Health: New Pest and Disease Challenges Trees in urban environments can face unexpected challenges, including new insects and diseases. Learn how to manage some of them from regional specialists at the beautiful Brooklyn Botanic...
  • Urban and Landscape Design
  • Urban ecology
See All Events