Webinar to review green-up forecast in Interior Alaska

Webinar to review green-up forecast in Interior Alaska

Tracking birch sap, green-up and pollen in Alaska's boreal forest will be the main topics of a webinar at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 23.

In spring, many Alaskans tap birch trees and turn the sap into delicious treats. Shortly afterward, green-up occurs as leaves burst forth from Alaska's deciduous trees, with effects upon ecology, society and even weather. Green-up is rapidly followed by pollen release, a health issue for many Alaskans.

Fairbanks has a unique multidecadal record of green-up dates, which has been used to develop techniques for forecasting green-up and related events in Alaska's boreal forest.

During the webinar, Rick Thoman, with the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, will review green-up forecasting tools and look at spring 2026.

Jan Dawe, who leads OneTree Alaska at UAF's Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, will talk about ways that the program reaches out to birch tappers and the public to engage in citizen science.

Susan Harry, a National Allergy Board-certified pollen counter who works at UAF's Department of Veterinary Medicine, will discuss her counting techniques and the effect of pollen on community health.

Researchers around the world have become interested in the Fairbanks data, which shows longer pollen seasons and earlier green-up dates. Allergy sufferers benefit from knowing the daily pollen count, as it helps them plan outdoor activities and manage their overall health.

To register for the webinar, visit the ACCAP website, https://uaf-accap.org/event/green-up-2026/. For more information, contact ACCAP via email or call 907-474-7812.

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