March 28, 2019 PBS features LGLC’s HWA Monitoring in it’s “Peril and Promise” Series

Volunteers have been heading out into the woods this winter hunting for signs of an invasive insect, a tiny, destructive bug that has found its way to the Adirondacks. If it spreads, the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) could threaten millions of Hemlock trees throughout the Adirondack Park.

In March, LGLC Conservation Manager Monica and Land Steward Alex guided the Crooked Canes hiking group on a walk through our Cat & Thomas Mountains Preserve to look for the invasive pest HWA. While scientists and environmentalists are working to combat it, the Woolly Adelgid may be getting some assistance from nature. The warming winters we are experiencing in the Adirondacks could help this forest pest to survive.

Alex and Monica showed the hikers where you would find HWA, how to identify it and what to do if you see any. Having “citizen scientists” on the ground like this will help in monitoring and hopefully preventing this invasive insect from making headway on our hemlocks. Be a Hemlock Hero with LGLC!   🌲

Mountain Lake PBS‘s Thom Hallock joined in on the hike and interviewed our staff on the HWA monitoring season. View the video below!  🎥 To share, copy and paste this link: https://youtu.be/giPNxJzgsgo 

This story is part of Peril and Promise, a national initiative exploring the impact of Climate Change here in the Adirondacks and around the world.

RESOURCES:

To volunteer or report a sighting contact Monica Dore at the Lake George Land Conservancy at mdore@lglc.org or call office 518-644-9673.

Reported sightings may also be called in to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Pest Information Line at 1-866-640-0652.

The New York State Hemlock Initiative collects photos of infestations and GPS coordinates. Email them to info@nyshemlockinitiative.info

iMapInvasives is a reporting app and website that may be used to report sightings. Learn more: www.nyimapinvasives.org