Come help the future of hemlocks on Thursday, April 26th by supporting the work of the Forest Restoration Alliance (FRA) at their research and breeding facility in Waynesville. The FRA is a group of researchers from government organizations and academic institutions–led by NC State University’s Dr. Fred Hain–who conduct a selective breeding program, modeled on the success of the American Chestnut Foundation, and aimed at breeding and establishing a future of resistant trees in North American forests.
Volunteers will work in and around their greenhouses to help with their selective breeding program, which may include repotting trees in the greenhouse, helping prepare their new indoor facility, weeding or other maintenance in their outdoor growing areas, and general work maintaining the greenhouses. Volunteers will also get a tour of the facility by researcher Ben Smith and learn about their efforts to restore hemlocks.
The work day will begin at 10 am and last until 3 or 4 pm. Please RSVP to volunteer@savehemlocksnc.org by Monday April 16th if you are interested. Please include a contact number for the morning of the work day and the number of volunteers coming.