Dear Colleagues, My apologies for cross-posting. Please find below the details of a special session to be held at the IUFRO XXV World Congress meeting. Thank you. *CALL FOR ABSTRACTS – SPECIAL SESSION* International Union of Forest Research Organizations IUFRO XXV WORLD CONGRESS September 29-October 5, 2019 in Curitiba, Brazil http://www.iufro2019.com TITLE: *Forest health defenders: empowering citizens to protect forests through research contributions *(Technical Session D6c) ORGANISERS: Joey Hulbert1, Michelle Cleary2 and Steve Pawson3 *1*Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, South Africa.*2*Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden. *3*Scion, New Zealand. CONGRESS THEME: Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Biological Invasions DESCRIPTION: Citizen science is a term for research that involves non-scientists. Many citizen science programs exist to monitor invasive forests pests. These programs raise awareness and empower participants to make observations and critical decisions. Public engagement has exceptional value for amplifying the opportunities of early detection, but because people are the primary drivers of invasions, initiatives and investments that increase awareness and education are also critical. The objectives of this session are to showcase the diverse methods of public engagement and provide evidence for the merit of involving the public in research to defend forest health. DETAILS: Presentation content can vary as long as it encompasses some discussion of non-scientist engagement. Abstracts for both posters and oral presentations will be accepted. Authors are limited to a maximum of two abstracts as presenting author. DEADLINES: Abstract submission deadline: *December 31, 2018*. Registration and payment deadline: May 31, 2018. INSTRUCTIONS: You must be registered for the event to submit an abstract, but you may pay for registration later, up to May 31. Registration and abstract submission must be completed online at http://www.iufro2019.com/ CONTACT: Please contact Joey at joey.hulbert(a)fabi.up.ac.za if you have questions about the session. -- *Joey Hulbert* PhD Candidate Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute <http://fabinet.up.ac.za> University of Pretoria. -- This message and attachments are subject to a disclaimer. Please refer to  http://upnet.up.ac.za/services/it/documentation/docs/004167.pdf <http://upnet.up.ac.za/services/it/documentation/docs/004167.pdf> for full details.