Instead of trick-or-treat, join HRI in DuPont State Recreational Forest this October for a “hike ‘n’ treat.” It’s a combination educational hike and volunteer treatment day. As we hike, we will observe and discuss our two native species of hemlock trees, the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), its impacts and control strategies. Along the way we’ll use a few trailside hemlocks to teach you how to apply CoreTect tablets, a simple HWA treatment method that requires minimal equipment and exposure to chemicals.
This will be a great opportunity for folks who love DuPont and want to learn and help a hemlock or two, but don’t want to stray too far off the trail or work too hard. We will pass through several forest types and may be able to see some fall color along the way. We will mostly encounter young Carolina hemlocks, which are plentiful along the trail in this part of the forest, and a few larger hemlocks, as well. Depending on our luck, other “treats” we may encounter include wild mushrooms, cool secret views and hidden waterfalls.
Trailside Carolina hemlock seedling
This moderately strenuous, loop-hike down to Grassy Creek and back will be approximately two miles long. We will meet near the Flat Rock Trailhead off of Sky Valley Rd. at 10:00am and anticipate being done by 3:00pm.
Our first hike n’ treat will be Sunday, October 4. However, we are reserving Tuesday, October 13th and Tuesday, November 10th as back-up/spill over days in case of rain or more interest than we can accommodate on one day.
RSVP is required by October 1 by emailing info@savehemlocksnc.org or calling (828) 252-4783.
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.