The best time of year to enjoy fall colors in WNC is in October, and there’s no better place to see them than Grandfather Mountain State Park. Join Hemlock Restoration Initiative at Grandfather Mountain State Park for a Hemlock Treatment Volunteer Workday on Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 8:45am-4pm. Please plan to arrive between 8:30am and 8:45am to secure a nearby parking spot and ensure we can start our day promptly at 9am.
Hemlock trees are an essential and irreplaceable part of western North Carolina’s forests, but for over 20 years, they’ve been under threat from the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA)—an invasive insect that can kill hemlocks in our region in as little as four years.
Help us protect hemlocks from HWA at Grandfather Mountain State Park! Volunteers will be applying insecticide to individual hemlocks for HWA control. Volunteers should be physically prepared for moving through the forest off-trail in steep terrain (upwards of 500ft elevation gain in less than a mile) for the duration of the workday, though less strenuous sections are also available. There will be gorgeous views of the forest along our treatment area.
Please note, volunteers will be working with insecticide. Every volunteer will be paired with a trained HRI team member who will provide instruction and guidance.
Registration is required. To register, fill out this form by Wednesday, October 21, 2026. More details about meeting location and what to bring will be provided after registration. Reach out to education@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.