The National Ornamentals Research Site at Dominican University of California (NORS-DUC) is the first research site in the United States dedicated to the study of pests and diseases affecting the health of ornamental plants. Scientists from the national and international research community will initially conduct studies focused on understanding and controlling the long-range spread of Phytophthora ramorum through infested nursery stock
shipments.
NORS-DUC is a secure site modeled to reflect a nursery for the purpose of performing studies on nursery stock in a "real world" environment while ensuring high level safeguards to prevent the escape of pests that affect plant health. The facility is funded by a
grant from the 2008 Farm Bill, administered through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Center for Plant Health Science and Technology (CPHST).
Construction Progress:
The above picture shows preparation of the (right-side) nursery beds. Installation of the liners in each nursery bed with some plumbing visible.
For questions either about this web site or about the California Oak Mortality Task Force, contact the Outreach Coordinator / Webmaster
About the Task Force. Created in August 2000, the California Oak Mortality Task Force
(COMTF) is a nonprofit organization, under the California Forest Pest Council, that brings together public agencies, other nonprofit organizations and private interests to address the issue of elevated levels of oak mortality. The Task Force will implement a comprehensive and unified approach for research, management, education and public policy. Copyright 2004, COMTF
NORS-DUC is a secure site modeled to reflect a nursery for the purpose of performing studies on nursery stock in a "real world" environment while ensuring high level safeguards to prevent the escape of pests that affect plant health. The facility is funded by a
grant from the 2008 Farm Bill, administered through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Center for Plant Health Science and Technology (CPHST). 