October 20 Meet-up
Join us at the Fitch Woodlands Running Pine trail to continue our group survey of eastern hemlock trees for hemlock wooly adelgid, an invasive pest. We will continue to survey farther down the Fitch Trail, continuing last month’s work. Our group monitoring sessions serve to both collect data on hemlock infestation and offer training for volunteers to become involved in the Williamstown Hemlock Monitoring Project. Fitch Memorial Woodlands is a mixed-hardwood forest with trails linking Sheep Hill to the Taconic Trail State Forest.
What to bring: Long sleeves and pants recommended for tick safety with sturdy hiking boots for comfort. Insect repellent for mosquitoes, deer flies and ticks. Please be aware that there are a few yellow jacket nests along the trail. We have not had any issues with them so far but please make note and be prepared if you have a bee/wasp allergy. We will be out for 2 hours so we recommend bringing water and a snack, if needed.
Directions: From downtown Williamstown (Spring St.), take Field Park to the 3rd exit for Rt. 7/Cold Spring Road. Follow the road for 0.6 miles before taking the right turn onto Bee Hill Rd. (a well-maintained dirt road). Continue uphill for 0.5 miles. After the houses end, there will be a sharp right turn into a small parking area with a kiosk.
Parking: The Fitch Woodlands parking lot is a sharp right turn off of Bee Hill Rd. and up a small hill. There is space for 2-3 cars but limited space to turn around in the parking lot. Additional parking for 3-4 cars is available in the parking lot at the top of Sheep Hill. To reach this parking lot, continue past the Fitch Woodlands parking on Bee Hill Rd. until you see a clear pull off with signs on your left.
Please check the weather before arriving and bring appropriate clothing (warm, non-cotton layers). If you have a smartphone, please download the iNaturalist app before arriving and create an account. A loupe (magnifying glass) will be useful for identification – we have extras!
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Help us monitor the health of our Eastern Hemlock forests!
Eastern hemlocks are a vital part of our landscape but are under threat from pests like Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). Join Williamstown Rural Lands as we survey hemlock health on local public properties. No experience necessary – we will provide training to join the project.
Learn to:
- Identify Eastern Hemlocks and about their role in the ecosystem
- Identify common Eastern Hemlock pests
- Survey for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid to join this regional monitoring initiative!
For more information, check out the New York State Hemlock Initiative who are extending their reach into Massachusetts with us!
The Williamstown Hemlock Monitoring Group will meet monthly to train new volunteers and monitor properties together along with having optional independent monitoring assignments. There will be a break between end of April and beginning of June to avoiding dispersing Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.
For questions, email programs@rurallands.org.