The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is a problem impacting personal yards and many parks and recreational areas. There will be a workshop at Cloudland Canyon State Park on Saturday, June 18, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. offered as an in-depth course designed for people who want to understand the hemlock problem, learn the actual process for treating the trees, and then be of service within the community. The content of the prerequisite Hemlock Help Clinic, which is normally a separate class, has been merged into the facilitator workshop for this particular event.
The facilitator program is similar to the Master Gardener program in that it provides a great deal of good information and practical skills that may be useful to individual property owners to save their own trees and prepares volunteers to find their personal stewardship niche using their knowledge and skills in some aspect of the 20+ educational and charitable service initiatives offered through Save Georgia's Hemlocks, said officials.
Starting with an overview of what’s killing the hemlocks, what can be done to save them, and why it’s important to do so, this class provides complete how-to instruction covering the trees, the insects, assessing infestations, cultural practices, chemical treatments, biological controls, cost considerations, personal and environmental safety. It also prepares volunteers to advise and assist other property owners, work with the U.S. Forest Service and Georgia DNR to save trees on public lands, participate in special hemlock initiatives such as hemlock restoration along trout streams, raising hemlock saplings, and more.
Professional CEUs are available. Registration is required. Email donna@savegeorgiashemlocks.org or call 706.429-8010. Please indicate the date and location of the class you’re registering for and include a phone number and email address.
The facilitator training workshop is free for anyone who has joined or renewed their Save Georgia’s Hemlocks membership since Dec. 1, 2015. For individuals who are not yet members or who need to renew their membership, a $20 membership donation helps support the work of SGH. It's 100 percent tax-deductible and can be given at the start of the workshop.