GLENS FALLS, N.Y. — The New York Forest Owners Association Southeastern Adirondack Chapter will host a presentation of: “New York State Hemlock Initiative” by Charlotte Malmborg, Cornell University Department of Natural Resources, on Saturday, January 20th 2018, 2:00 pm at Crandall Library, 251 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY.
Hemlocks are one of the most important tree species in New York forests, but here in New York our hemlocks are threatened by an invasive forest pest, the hemlock woolly adelgid. HWA reached New York in the 1980s and continues to spread today, infesting new areas each year. In this talk Charlotte will cover the importance of hemlock trees in northeastern forests, the threat presented by HWA, and what you can do to identify and manage HWA infestations in your woodlot. She will also talk about the New York State Hemlock Initiative’s research into biocontrol opportunities and its role in promoting hemlock conservation throughout the state.
The New York State Hemlock Initiative’s mission is to coordinate state-wide efforts of land owners, state and federal agencies, government officials, and concerned citizens to conserve New York State’s hemlock trees. We integrate research, management, and outreach to conserve New York State’s hemlock resources in the face of multiple threats, particularly the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), an invasive insect. Additionally, we research and implement biological control strategies for forest insect pests.
We focus on hemlock woolly adelgid because in New York hemlock mortality due to HWA has been increasing at an alarming rate. Given the circumstances, a state- wide strategy for conserving hemlocks must be developed now before it is too late.
The NYS Hemlock Initiative is based at Cornell University, and while our outreach focus is in the Finger Lakes region, we are involved with hemlock conservation throughout the state. Our current projects focus on developing training materials for volunteer groups, establishing connections with organizations and individuals with an interest in hemlock conservation, and collaborating with New York’s Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) regions to outline priorities for hemlock conservation within and across regions.
—NYFOA Southeastern Adirondack Chapter
For more articles out of New York, click here.