Hemlock Conservation Program

Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) treatment on private land

Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is a non-native, invasive pest, that threatens Eastern hemlocks in Nova Scotia. HWA was first discovered in Yarmouth, NS, in 2017. Since then, Nova Scotians have been working to develop a strategy to save high conservation value hemlock forests. Today, HWA is being managed using multiple methods, including silviculture, chemical insecticide application and biocontrol.  

Until recently, chemical HWA treatment was limited to protected areas on Crown Land. However, the Hemlock Conservation Program, offered through the Nova Scotia Working Woodlands Trust (NSWWT) is now available to private land stewards who have hemlock-dominated forests which have high-carbon, old forest values. This program was developed in partnership with the Medway Community Forest Cooperative (MCFC) and the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSECC) to extend chemical treatment options to private land stewards.

To ensure the treated forest is conserved, all properties taking part in our Hemlock Conservation Program will be required to enter a Working Forest Community Easement with NSWWT. Treated areas will be placed in Conservation Zones to ensure the long-term preservation of hemlock trees – no management or harvesting can occur in these areas.  

A hemlock branch that is infected with HWA.

What NSWWT can offer:

  • Chemical HWA treatment of hemlocks using a combination of basal bark spraying and injections near any waterbodies.  

  • Financial assistance for costs associated with the Easement Development (initial boundary line maintenance, survey, endowment fund contribution, etc.) 

  • Annual monitoring of your property 

  • Forest Stewardship (Management) Planning and expertise 

Requirements: 

Qualifications: 

  • At least 50 acres of forested land.  

  • At least 15 acres of mature (>60 years) hemlock-dominated forest, which land stewards are willing to chemically treat for HWA and place in a permanent Conservation Zone.

  • Woodland is in either Lunenburg, Kings, or Annapolis County. 

Ongoing:

  • Maintain an approved Forest Management Plan on a 10-year renewal cycle. 

  • Regular boundary line maintenance. 

  • Provide notification regarding restricted activities as defined in Agreed Practices. 

To learn more about our HWA program, please contact Mhari Lamarque at mlamarque@nsworkingwoodlandstrust.org