Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Survey

Our hemlock trees are under imminent threat! The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) is an aphid-like, invasive insect that poses a serious threat to this foundation tree species in NYS forests. HWA has now been identified in CNY where we have many concentrations of hemlock stands. During this outing we plan to participate in the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Survey through the Citizen Scientist Program of Finger Lakes PRISM. The project is part of a statewide effort to track and develop solutions to halt the spread of this invasive species. Our focus will be to observe and report the presence of HWA in the northern area of Morgan Hill State Forest by examining trees in this area, contributing our findings through the Survey123 app, which are ultimately integrated into the NYiMapInvasives database. HWA has been confirmed in Morgan Hill's Hemlock Glen, so we will examine other Morgan Hill hemlock groves, now on the front lines of HWA expansion. We'll review the reporting process in person, but you can prepare by watching the training videos found in this link: https://fingerlakesinvasives.org/citizen-science-programs/

Bring water, snacks, lunch, cell phone and remaining 10 hiking essentials. Snowshows may be necessary, depending on trail conditions.

We will meet in the parking lots at the intersection of Morgan Hill Rd and Shackham Rd, 42.79500, -76.00929.