The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has confirmed new infestations of the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) along the western shore of Lake Champlain and near the north end of Great Sacandaga Lake.
Officials say the pest was detected following reports from residents and volunteers in the Port Douglas area of Essex County and at Conklingville Dam in Saratoga County. HWA is a destructive insect that can kill healthy hemlock trees within a decade.
“Hemlocks are an important part of New York’s forests and play vital roles in our ecosystem,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “Together with our partners, New York State remains committed to monitoring and responding to invasive species.”
The DEC, in partnership with the New York State Hemlock Initiative at Cornell University and the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, is now conducting ground-based surveys to assess the scope of the infestations. Additional monitoring will guide next steps for response and management.
First confirmed in the Adirondacks in 2017, HWA is named for the white, woolly sacs it forms at the base of hemlock needles. It feeds on tree twigs, leading to decline and eventual death if left untreated.
Mark Whitmore, Director of the New York State Hemlock Initiative, emphasized the importance of public awareness. “These detections often occur first in shoreline hemlock stands, so public vigilance is especially important,” he said.
The public is encouraged to report sightings through the iMapInvasives app. Resources for identification and reporting are available at nyshemlockinitiative.info.
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