BBIG International Webinar Series: Calamities of Georgia’s Boxwood Forests

HRI Research • December 21, 2022

Presented by Iryna Matsiakh - Doctor of Biological Science - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Iryna Matsiakh will be rounding out our seminar series with a talk on the unique boxwood forests (Buxus colchica) in the Caucasus: their habitat, ecology and biodiversity. Dr. Matsiakh is Dr. in Forestry at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre and in the Forestry Department of the Ukrainian National Forestry University. Boxwood trees growing in the Caucasus Mountains are threatened by habitat loss and defoliation by an introduced disease, boxwood blight, and an introduced insect, the box tree moth Cydalima perspectalis. Dr. Matsiakh’s story will include invasive species introductions, actions taken by forestry authorities against box tree moth, research studies and the current situation in boxwood forests.

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Bee Banquet in the Sky: Trees and Shrubs for Urban Pollinator Conservation

By Jennifer Gray • October 12, 2026

Urban landscapes can be important refuges for native bees and other pollinators. This talk covers why bees are critical for biodiversity and food security, why bee populations are declining, and how the gardening public can help by incorporating woody landscape plants to provide nectar, pollen, nesting sites and materials, and other resources. Following a brief overview of pollination ecology, we’ll “meet the bees”, and then discuss recent HRI-funded research that identified top native and non-native “bee magnets” amongst woody ornamental plants. The talk also explains why artificial bee “hotels” can become death traps and suggests better ways to create bee nesting sites through ordinary gardening practices. Attendees will receive PDF handouts and other information helpful for teaching others about the best trees and shrubs for bee conservation.

A Biological Plot Twist: Can an Adventive Parasitoid Protect Boxwood?

By Jen Gray • August 12, 2026

CABI and USDA APHIS are collaborating on the biological control of the box tree moth using parasitoids from Asia. Several parasitoid species are currently under consideration for introduction into North America and Europe. One of these parasitoids arrived in Europe on its own and has begun controlling the moth on both planted trees and in wild boxwood stands. The webinar will describe the spread and impact of this adventive parasitoid in Europe and present efforts to assess the potential of this species and others as biological control agents in North America.

HRI Leadership Academy Selects Class of 2027

By Jennifer Gray • June 30, 2026

Meet the HRI Leadership Academy Class of 2027. This intensive year-long program equips green industry leaders with strategic insight and business acumen.