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‘Ghost Forests’ Are Even More Widespread Than We Thought

Media Mentions

Mar 20, 2026

‘Hybrid Organ’: How a Union of Trees and Fungi Could Revolutionise Forest Management

The Guardian
Rachel Cook, professor of forestry and environmental resources and co-director of the Forest Productivity Cooperative, is quoted by The Guardian cautioning that the recovery timeline for ectomycorrhizal fungi remains an unresolved scientific question.

Mar 19, 2026

These Southern States Are Giving Away Free Native Trees — If You Cut Down Your Bradford Pear

Southern Living
Kelly Oten, assistant professor of forestry and environmental resources and Extension specialist, is quoted by Southern Living urging homeowners to reconsider planting Bradford pear trees due to their invasiveness and environmental impact

Mar 18, 2026

Battle Continues Over Stinky Trees

WPTF
Kelly Oten, assistant professor of forestry and environmental resources and Extension specialist, is quoted by WPTF discussing the dangers of planting Bradford pear trees, highlighting their invasive nature and the importance of replacing them with native alternatives to support local ecosystems.

Mar 17, 2026

NC Has Among the Highest Diversity of Hummingbirds. See What They Look Like

The News & Observer
Christopher Moorman, professor and associate head of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, is quoted by The News & Observer discussing the differences between male and female ruby-throated hummingbirds.

Mar 12, 2026

What’s That Smell? Bradford Pears Blooming in NC — With a Bounty on Their Heads

The News & Observer
Kelly Oten, assistant professor of forestry and environmental resources and Extension specialist, is quoted by The News & Observer discussing the NC Bradford Pear Bounty, a program that offers native tree replacements for residents who remove invasive Bradford pear trees from their properties.

Mar 9, 2026

Tree Pollen Ramps Up Across Central North Carolina

ABC11
Robert Bardon, associate dean of Extension and professor of forestry and environmental resources, is quoted by ABC11 explaining that while tree pollen counts are rising in central North Carolina due to the recent warm spell, pine pollen is less allergenic than pollen from hardwood trees.

Feb 10, 2026

‘So Shameful’: Backlash as US National Monuments Conform to Trump’s Rewrite of History

The Guardian
Rasul Mowatt, head of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, is quoted by Al Jazeera discussing the ongoing struggle to memorialize Indigenous and Black American histories.

Feb 7, 2026

Super Bowl Drives Economic Boon in the US Ahead of Game

Al Jazeera
Michael Edwards, professor of parks, recreation and tourism management, is quoted by Al Jazeera saying that while the Super Bowl brings short-term economic benefits, those gains are limited to certain industries and locations.

Feb 6, 2026

This Data Reveals a Surprising Truth About the Super Bowl’s Impact on Local Businesses

Inc. Magazine
Michael Edwards, professor of parks, recreation and tourism management, told Inc. Magazine that research shows the Super Bowl’s economic impact is often overstated, with little of the money generated actually benefiting local communities.

Jan 30, 2026

‘Ghost Forests’ Are Even More Widespread Than We Thought

The Washington Post
Marcelo Ardón, professor of forestry and environmental resources, is quoted by The Washington Post on the spread of "ghost forests" and how new mapping techniques are revealing widespread tree die-off linked to saltwater intrusion and climate change.