Extension: an Obligation of all Wood-Products Pathologists to Society

Summary

Deterioration of wood products costs hundreds of millions of dollars each year in developed and developing countries throughout the world. Most of these losses could be prevented by simple, reliable, effective, safe, and inexpensive methods developed in the past. Wood-products pathologists have a duty to help reduce these losses by disseminating existing knowledge about the prevention and control of wood deterioration, as well as by seeking new knowledge. This involvement is particularly necessary because so few extension (advisory) personnel are active in wood-products pathology. Greater extension efforts in this field will provide substantial benefits to society, give the pathologist a broader perspective, increase his relevance in the eyes of the public, and enhance his personal job satisfaction. Such extension efforts should include: 1) development of educational and advisory programs for producers and consumers of wood products, 2) preparation of well-illustrated popular publications, films and television programs for various target audiences, and 3) improvement of building codes and other specifications for use of wood products. Techniques by which these challenges are being met in North Carolina and in other parts of the world are discussed in the hope that every wood-products pathologist will join in a world-wide effort to increase the dissemination of existing knowledge about the prevention and control of wood deterioration.