The wait is finally over–Spring is here! Now is a great time to get involved with the New York State Hemlock Initiative. Our Citizen Science volunteers help us obtain HWA data from all corners of New York and partner with us on several projects pertaining to HWA management using biocontrol. We have opportunities for all levels of expertise and commitment, so find out how you can get involved today! You can find out about all of our volunteer opportunities on our Volunteer Materials page.

This year it easier to volunteer with us than ever. We have created several field protocols to make hemlock and HWA identification, HWA scouting, and tree health surveys even easier. We have also added new opportunities including finding samples of the native pest pine bark adelgid (PBA), which will aid in our biocontrol research efforts. If you’re not sure how to get started, you can visit our Know Your PRISM page, which will let you know which volunteer efforts are most useful in your area based on the progress of HWA in New York State.

If you are interested in volunteering with us, we encourage you to check out our opportunities. Tell your friends and neighbors to keep an eye out for HWA and tell them they can follow us on Facebook or Instagram for news about our lab and HWA in New York. Additionally, you can subscribe for our website updates on our homepage. For any questions, or if you’re ready to join us, send us an email at nyshemlockinitiative@cornell.edu. We look forward to working with you!