Hemlock Restoration Initiative Events Announced

Hemlock Restoration Initiative events planned

The Asheville-based Hemlock Restoration Initiative (HRI) announced several upcoming events.

Friday, April 12: Hemlock Treatment Workshop

HRI will provide a hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) Management Workshop at the Mountain Retreat & Learning Center in Highlands. The workshop is in partnership with the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust and The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, sponsored by Mountain Findings. Participants will receive in-person instruction and hands-on practice.

Saturday, April 13: Hemlock Hike

Staff from HRI and the N.C. Forest Service will guide an educational hike at Holmes Educational State Forest in Henderson County. Participants can expect to learn about hemlock ecology, the threat of the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid, and a variety of different control methods being used on state forests, national forests, and private lands.

Thursday, April 18: Forest Restoration Alliance Volunteer Workday

Volunteers will help combat hemlock woolly adelgid at the FRA research facility in Waynesville. The volunteer efforts aim to breed hemlock woolly adelgid-resistant hemlock trees. Tasks in the greenhouse and nursery related to FRA’s selective breeding program will be conducted.

Thursday, May 9: Invasive Species and Forest Management Educational Hike

This hike in Sandy Mush Game Lands, led by HRI and EcoForesters, will focus on invasive species management. Participants will learn about different invasive species control methods.

Sunday, May 5 and Saturday, May 25: Spring Paddler Hemlock Treatment Days

Participants will have the opportunity to help treat hemlocks while paddling down the upper section of the Green River with Paddler Hemlock Health Action Taskforce.