Join the Hemlock Restoration Initiative in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, NC, for a Hemlock Treatment Volunteer Workday on Friday, October 9th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Participants can leave early if needed, but on time arrival is required, unless communicated in advance and special permission is granted.
Hemlock trees are an essential and irreplaceable part of Appalachian forests, but for over 20 years, they’ve been under threat from hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), an invasive insect that can kill hemlocks in our region in as little as four years. Hemlocks are considered a foundation species in general, and are an integral component of the Pink Beds bog system in particular, in which they influence hydrology, nutrient cycling, and habitat for aquatic and terrestrial organisms. More than 770 hemlocks have been previously treated at this site, but the protection is wearing off, and it is time to retreat them to prevent re-infestation and a decline in crown health. It would take our team several days to complete this project without additional help.
The Pink Beds Loop Trail is a mostly flat trail that passes through a portion of the Pink Beds Valley. Pink Beds is a Significant Natural Heritage Area and perhaps the largest example of a high-elevation forested wetland in the western part of the state. The trail features boardwalks over unique, sprawling, high-elevation mountain bogs with special rare flora, several element occurrences, rushing creeks, beaver dams, and diverse forest cover, including hemlocks. The Cradle of Forestry is immediately adjacent to this site and is open until 5PM for anyone who wants to visit it on their own after the workday concludes. There are also several other special nearby sites within Pisgah National Forest that can be explored while in the area.
Participants will learn about and experience the methods HRI uses to assess and treat hemlock stands for HWA using an integrated pest management approach. The workday will primarily expose participants to our chemical treatment protocols, including soil drench, basal bark spray, and (potentially) stem injection applications of imidacloprid and/or dinotefuran products, but we can also touch on biological and silvicultural control strategies and our record keeping practices, if folks are interested.
We will be treating hemlocks throughout the site, on- and off-trail, using systemic insecticides to protect them from HWA. Every volunteer will be paired with a trained and licensed HRI team member who will provide instruction and guidance. There will also be time to explore and talk about this unique forest and bog habitat.
We will provide a bagged lunch, water, and snacks that can be brought into the field for NAC26 attendees who pre-register; however, participants are welcome and encouraged to bring additional snacks and a water bottle, along with a small pack that can be carried with them throughout the day, as well as any medications that might be needed. Long pants, long sleeve shirt, and close-toed shoes and socks that can get dirty (or marked with stray spray paint) are required PPE. Waterproof hiking shoes or muck boots, a rain jacket, and sun protection are recommended when working at this site.
Some teams will start treatments at the trailhead near the parking lot, while others will walk further down the trail and work back towards the parking lot. This site is relatively flat, but the terrain is uneven, and there will be a need to step over logs and around or through other vegetation. This site is also relatively wet, with bog habitat in sections. This project is appropriate for anyone over the age of 18 who can bend, stoop, hike and stand on uneven terrain for up to 6 hours. While the site is open to the public, pets are not permitted due to the nature of the workday.
Registration is required. To register, fill out this form by the end of Wednesday, October 7th, 2026. More details about the meeting location and what to bring will be provided after registration. Reach out to info@savehemlocksnc.org or (828) 252-4783 with any questions.
Note: Since we will be working with insecticide, children under 18 and pets are not permitted at this event.
