A collaborative effort involving approximately 16 experts from various organizations across New York State converged on the Lake George Central School District (LGCSD) property and its nature trails. Their mission included surveying for the invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA), a destructive pest that poses a significant threat to hemlock trees.
Members of this group represented a wide range of organizations, including the New York State Hemlock Initiative, Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC), Lake George Association (LGA), East Shore Schroon Lake Association (ESSLA), Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the New York Invasive Species Research Institute (NYSIRI). Some experts even traveled from as far as Cornell University to lend their specialized knowledge to the effort.
During the survey, participants learned hands-on techniques for examining hemlock trees, using flashlights to search for the tell-tale signs of HWA. The team divided into groups to cover the expansive area, working their way from the school property back towards the Eastbrook Preserve.
For several hours, members of the LGCSD participated in the survey. Encouragingly, no signs of HWA were discovered on the school grounds during this initial phase. However, the Eastbrook Preserve, located closer to Bloody Pond Road, is known to have existing HWA infestations, and the team continued their survey efforts in that area. A significant portion of the LGCSD’s district property still requires surveying, and the LGLC will provide a comprehensive report on the survey’s full findings in the near future.
This collaborative undertaking was an invaluable learning experience for all involved. The LGCSD expressed its deep appreciation for the time and expertise these organizations dedicated to surveying the district’s property, highlighting the critical importance of such partnerships in safeguarding the region’s natural resources.