Join us on the Green River this April and become a member of the Paddlers Hemlock Health Action Taskforce (PHHAT).

This collaboration between the Hemlock Restoration Initiative, American Whitewater, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and MountainTrue’s Green Riverkeeper utilizes paddlers of all experience levels to treat trees along the Green River.  By following a custom protocol to ensure safety and protect water quality, this group has enabled us to chemically protect many trees that can be accessed from the river and would likely not be otherwise treated due to the difficulty of accessing them by land.

We have several days listed below where you can use your paddling skills to help protect hemlocks.  Each day will go from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Lower Green days require little to no experience and Upper Green days require experience on Class III whitewater. A limited number of boats and gear are available for the Lower Green days on a first come, first served basis.

NOTE: Paddlers will be getting out of their boats and climbing up the river bank to reach the base of the trees where they will perform the treatments. Sometimes repeatedly. Terrain varies from flat to moderately steep.

Space is limited and RSVP is required. RSVP by the dates indicated below by emailing volunteer@savehemlocksnc.org or calling (828) 252-4783. Please include a contact phone number and email address and the number and names of the people in your party.

  • Sunday, April 11 (Upper Green, only a few spots left)
  • Sunday, April 18 (most likely the Lower Green)
  • Friday, April 23 (section TBD based on the interest of those who are first to respond)
  • Sunday, April 25 (section TBD based on the interest of those who are first to respond)

To learn more about the PHHAT team, visit paddlersforhemlocks.com.

COVID information for in-person activities:
The Hemlock Restoration Initiative is grateful to be able to offer educational programs and volunteer events in this difficult time. 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 on our website 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.