HRI is taking advantage of the warm weather next Wednesday, Feb. 24th to protect some hemlocks with the help of volunteers. We will be continuing our work with the USDA Forest Service to chemically re-treat selected portions of Pisgah National Forest and have a few sites left on our list for this spring. On Wednesday, we will be treating the hemlocks around the Pisgah Ranger Station near Brevard, NC in teams of 2-3, including one trained staff person in each team. A few teams will be working in a flat section that parallels the road while other teams will be working on a slope on and off trail and on uneven terrain.

Contact Ben Chase at volunteer@savehemlocksnc.org by the end of day Monday, Feb. 22 in order to sign up or if you have any questions. Sign-ups will be held on a first-come-first-served basis with limited space. When you sign up, please indicate which area (the flat section parallel to the road or on a slope off trail) you would be comfortable working in.

PLEASE NOTE: The Hemlock Restoration Initiative is restarting our educational programs and volunteer events. Despite the lifting of restrictions, we acknowledge the risk that COVID-19 continues to pose to members of our community. To maintain the safety of our event participants and staff, HRI is limiting the number of participants at all events and requiring that all individuals follow HRI’s COVID-19 safety guidelines. This means that sign-ups will be held on a first-come-first-served basis. Anyone not following the guidelines on the day of the event will be asked to leave. Please review the COVID-19 safety guidelines to ensure that you are comfortable following these guidelines. Please also let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend an event for which you are registered so that we may allow someone else to fill your spot.