As part of OAKtober, a month of activities and events celebrating oaks and other native trees in our urban and community forests, join HRI and the NC Forest Service Buncombe County Ranger from 11 am to 1 pm on Saturday, October 10 for an urban tree health walk.  We will walk along the Swannanoa River Greenway (River Bend Park) in east Asheville to discuss some common health issues seen in our urban trees including HWA, emerald ash borer, and oak decline.

This short walk (less than 1 mile total) will be on level ground, much of it paved, so it is accessible for people of varied abilities.

Email info@savehemlocksnc.org or call 828-252-4783 by Oct. 9 to reserve a spot. We will meet at the River Bend Park sign at the north end of the Walmart parking lot.

Emerald ash borer adult. Photo by Debbie Miller USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

See the OAKtober celebrations page on Facebook for a list of other events around Asheville and Buncombe County celebrating trees throughout the month of October.

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.