Did you know that winter is the best time to check for hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA)? We need your help monitoring this invasive species, particularly along the “leading edge” of the distribution that runs across the state.

Now through March 12, NY iMapInvasives and the NYS Hemlock Initiative are hosting NY’s first statewide Winter Mapping Challenge. Join the challenge to help monitor this invasive species and compete to win a prize!

To participate: Get outside, find some hemlock trees, check for white “fuzz balls” on the undersides of twigs, and report your findings to NY iMapInvasives – earning the coveted champion title could be that easy! The top reporter of presence and not-detected records for HWA from February 12 through March 12 will win the challenge.

Visit iMap’s website to learn more about the challenge and connect with HWA mapping efforts in your area.

Photo submitted to iMapInvasives by Observer #22202

Upcoming Events and Learning Opportunities

Online presentation: Tribal Values for Natural Resources (NYS ReLeaf) – Tuesday, February 15 at 12 p.m. – Lunch and learn with a webinar on Tribal Values for the Natural World presented by Les Benedict, assistant director of Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Environmental Division.  A big believer in Native American environmental stewardship, Les supports the Akwesasne Task Force on the Environment and represents the Tribes on regional and national committees. Drawing on 31+ years of experience in air quality, quality control, grant and project management, Les now focuses mainly on planning and development and is a member of the Adirondack (Region 5) ReLeaf committee. Registration is free but required. Register for the webinar on WebEx.

Online presentation: Adirondack Forest Pest Hunters – Surveying for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program – Wednesday, February 16 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – You can help protect the Adirondacks by surveying for invasive hemlock woolly adelgid. This training will cover basic identification, survey techniques, and how to sign up for a trail to survey. You can find more information and a link to register on APIPP’s website.

Online presentation: Oh Deer! How Deer Shape Forests in the Catskills and Beyond (Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies) – Wednesday, February 16 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. – This free webinar will explore the history of deer in the Catskills, how deer influence the composition and health of regional forests, and strategies to mitigate deer impacts. Presenters include: forest ecologist Dr. Charles Canham (Cary Institute), ecologist Dr. Lynn Christenson (Vassar College), and deer biologist Brendan Quirion (DEC). Register online.

In-person event in Queensbury, NY: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) Field Training (Capital Region PRISM) – Thursday, February 24 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – On this 5-kilometer woods walk, participants will learn how to survey for invasive HWA and report any findings or non-detections. The forest health check is a spin-off of the Adirondack Forest Pest Hunters Program webinar hosted by APIPP on February 16th (see event above), and attendees are encouraged to participate in both programs. Event details are available online. Pre-register to reserve a spot on the walk. Space is limited.

In-person event in Corinth, NY: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) Field Training (Capital Region PRISM) – Thursday, February 24 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – On this 5-kilometer woods walk, participants will learn how to survey for invasive HWA and report any findings or non-detections. The forest health check is a spin-off of the Adirondack Forest Pest Hunters Program webinar hosted by APIPP on February 16th (see event above), and attendees are encouraged to participate in both programs. Event details are available online. Pre-register to reserve a spot on the walk. Space is limited.