Webinar to review green-up forecast in Interior �Ӱ�ԭ��

Julie Stricker
907-474-5406
April 13, 2026

Bright sunlight illuminates young birch leaves and pollen-covered catkins — Photo by Susan Harry
Birch catkins release pollen on the University of �Ӱ�ԭ�� Fairbanks campus in spring 2025.

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

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

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 �Ӱ�ԭ��’s boreal forest.

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

Jan Dawe, who leads OneTree �Ӱ�ԭ�� 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 , . For more information, contact ACCAP via email or call 907-474-7812.

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