Explore The Outdoors For Beech Leaf Disease With SciFri Outside

For over 30 years, Science Friday has made science a topic of conversation around the dinner table. Now, we want to bring you outside for a community science (AKA citizen science) series all about one of our favorite tree species: the American beech!

Beech trees are a familiar sight in the Northeast: with smooth, gray bark and bright green leaves, it’s easy to spot them along your favorite hiking trails or in local parks. But a relatively new invasive species is affecting their ability to photosynthesize, and die-off is increasing at a worrisome rate. Science Friday is leading a community science effort to help researchers understand the spread and severity of Beech leaf disease (BLD)—and you can help.

Read our reporting, join our community, and meet us outside for upcoming events to learn more about our efforts to help beech trees across the country.

Listen And Learn About Beech Leaf Disease

We’re just beginning our reporting on Beech leaf disease and tree conservation. Check out some of our recent stories:

• Audio: ‘Beech Leaf Disease Is Spreading Rapidly in Massachusetts’
• Article: ‘Why Beech Leaf Disease Is Easy To Spot But Tough To Treat’

Join Our Online Community

 The SciFri Community Hub is a vibrant community of Science Friday fans and science enthusiasts. We come together to drive collective understanding and action, share insights, and deepen our appreciation for the wonders of science through community science. Join our welcoming space to connect, learn, contribute and grow with us.

Check out our “Become a Beech Leaf Detective Training” presentation on the hub—and when you’re done, take the quiz to prove your knowledge!

Join Us: Community Science

Attend An Event

Community science might not be as fun when you do it alone—so we’re hosting community events to tell you all about exciting community science efforts, teach you how to participate, and create space to contribute together. Sign up for our newsletter to find out when you can join us online and in-person next!

Sign Up: Events Newsletter

Log Your Findings On EDDMapS

In order to share what you’ve found with researchers all over the country, create an account with our invasive species tracking partner, EDDMapS!

• Register for an account on the EDDMapS website.
• After you register, go to our project and click the Join Project button.
• Download the app on Apple or Android to take EDDMapS with you outdoors.

EDDMapS was created and is managed by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia, and the data recorded there by community scientists like you help track invasive species for researchers working on different ways to understand, manage and eradicate this invasive species.

Thanks to our partners at Cleveland Metroparks and the US Forest Services!