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…