Robert Progar

Position Statement:
Rob Progar serves as the National Program Lead for USDA Forest Service Research for entomology, pathology, invasive species and pollination ecology on the Sustainable forest Management Team within the national headquarters. He develops and maintains communications and relationships between researchers and leadership, identifies the need for new science, and is a subject matter expert on related topics. He usually works in collaboration with other agencies, universities and formal or informal teams. Current activities include serving on the USDA Pollinator Working Group Steering Committee, USDA Invasive Species Working Group, National Invasive Species Issues Team, Joint Committee for Biological Control, and compiling a National Forest Insect and Pathogen Assessment.

Some past research projects include: 1) Development of reliable semiochemical or ecological methods for predicting, detecting, monitoring or mitigating unwanted or desirable disturbances by insects or disease to support existing management strategies or help create new strategies that can insure productive and sustainable forest ecosystems. 2) Evaluating the relationship between fire caused injury and tree survival, and methods to increase tree survival following controlled burning. 3) The use of biological control to mitigate the impacts of invasive plants and insects. 4) Modeling response of arthropod species and feeding guilds to climate patterns.