ACI Blog
GVSU Researchers Harness Drones and AI to Combat Invasive Tree Diseases in Michigan
May 12, 2025
A groundbreaking initiative led by Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is using cutting-edge drone technology and artificial intelligence to protect Michigan’s forests from devastating invasive diseases. The project, “Precision Environmental Monitoring with Edge Computing,” is spearheaded by Dr. Rahat Ibn Rafiq and his research team, including graduate assistant Muttaki Bismoy, in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the City of Grand Haven, and local communities like Kalamazoo.
Innovative Technology for Early Detection
The team leverages unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with high-resolution multispectral imaging and deep learning algorithms to detect early signs of invasive tree diseases, including oak wilt, beech leaf disease (BLD), beech bark disease (BBD) and hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). This system enables rapid scanning of large, forested areas, flagging infected trees in real time—a critical advancement in preventing ecological damage and managing outbreaks.
Dr. Rafiq’s team has developed an integrated web-based platform that processes drone imagery instantly, allowing land managers to view and analyze data through a secure interface. A recent demonstration showcased the system’s voice-guided detection capability, making it accessible even for non-experts.
Strong Partnerships for Environmental Stewardship
The project has garnered support from key stakeholders, including the Michigan DNR, which sees immense potential in the technology for early detection and rapid response efforts.
Heidi Frei, State Park Forest Health Specialist with the Michigan DNR, emphasized:
“This technology has great potential to enhance early detection and rapid response efforts for key invasive species… It will protect ecosystem services through improved pest management and preserve the economic value generated from forest recreation lands.”
Local governments, such as the City of Grand Haven, have also played a pivotal role in advancing the research. Lawrence Burns, Assistant Director of Urban Forestry, noted:
“The potential to strengthen our ecological monitoring is significant… This project empowers land managers with tools to make timely, informed decisions and fills critical data gaps.”
Community Impact and Future Expansion
Beyond research, the project has direct benefits for Michigan communities. In Kalamazoo, where a potential oak wilt outbreak threatens a 74-acre wooded neighborhood, residents are partnering with GVSU to deploy the detection system this summer.
Dr. Ann Berger, a representative of the Kalamazoo neighborhood association, shared:
“We were heartened to learn of this system and are eager to work with the GVSU team… This collaboration offers us a much-needed method for aerial surveillance.”
With plans to expand monitoring efforts in 2025 and further refine the system’s accessibility features, the GVSU team aims to make this technology a statewide resource for forest conservation.
A Model for Applied Research
The GVSU College of Computing celebrates this initiative as a prime example of how technology, academic research, and community engagement can come together to solve pressing environmental challenges. By combining AI, drone surveillance, and real-time analytics, the project not only safeguards Michigan’s forests but also supports biodiversity, recreation, and local economies that depend on healthy woodlands.
As the project advances, it stands as a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and environmental stewardship—proving that computer science can make a difference far beyond the lab.
“Written by Dr. Rahat Rafiq”