Treat Hemlocks on Lower Green
You are receiving this email because you have either participated in a PHHAT (“Paddlers Hemlock Health Action Taskforce”) day on the Green River in the past, or have expressed interest in this unique volunteer experience. While we have not yet resumed our boat-based hemlock treatment volunteer days on the Green since Helene, we have begun re-treating areas accessible by land along the Green River corridor. This Tuesday, March 17th, we are honoring 
St. Patrick’s Day by giving the Green River hemlocks a little green love in exchange for a chance for some good luck in the year ahead.
St. Patrick’s Day by giving the Green River hemlocks a little green love in exchange for a chance for some good luck in the year ahead. We have tried to make this an annual tradition, and now the Green needs our help more than ever. We will be working to re-treat an area previously treated by our largest group of PHHAT volunteers on the Lower Green in November 2019 (see photos below). We have space for a few more volunteers to join us.
Registration is required, but the deadline has been extended to Sunday night. To register, fill out this form by the end of Sunday, March 15th. More details about the meeting location and what to bring will be provided after registration. Reach out to us at (828) 252-4783 with any questions. (Keep reading below to see more details about the event.)
We’re also leading a spring ephemeral hike on the Little Bradley Falls trail this Thursday, March 19th. We have space for more folks for the hike, as well. Details can be found here.
Thanks!
Margot
Are you in need of a bit of luck on this St. Patrick’s Day? Join Hemlock Restoration Initiative in Green River Game Land near Saluda, NC for a Hemlock Treatment Volunteer Workday on Tuesday, March 17th, from 9:30-4:30. (The start time may be delayed a bit due to predicted cold morning temperatures, TBD on Monday).
Hemlock trees are an essential and irreplaceable part of western North Carolina’s forests, but for over 20 years, they’ve been under threat from the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA)—an invasive insect that can kill hemlocks in our region in as little as four years.
Help us protect hemlocks from HWA on the Lower Green (accessed via Green River Cove Road)! Volunteers will be moving through the forest off-trail applying insecticide to individual hemlocks for HWA control. Every volunteer will be paired with a trained HRI team member who will provide instruction and guidance. Since we will be working with insecticide, children under 18 and pets are not permitted at this event.
Our workday site will have flatter terrain and a mostly dry river crossing; waterproof boots are recommended, but not required. Be prepared fora cold, but sunny day.
Margot Wallston
Director | Hemlock Restoration Initiative
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