Despite efforts from state officials to stop the spread of the hemlock wooly adelgid (HWA), this invasive insect continues to pose a serious threat to Michigan’s hemlock trees. According to some estimates, there are currently 100 million hemlock trees in Michigan at risk of infection by the HWA.
Fortunately, there might be a solution for this issue on the way.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency just provided a $600,000 grant that will be devoted to efforts to eradicate the HWA in Michigan. The EPA gave the grant to the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission, an organization that will assemble a team of experts who will be in charge of monitoring the HWA infestations in the coastal zone of Lake Michigan. If all goes according to plan, the team will be able to figure out how the insects are spreading and come up with a solution for stopping them with a series of treatments.
Some environmentalists studying the HWA infestation have raised concerns that the widespread loss of hemlock trees could raise temperatures in Michigan’s forests and contribute climate change. The increased temperatures would also put wildlife at risk and affect the way that Michigan residents use the state’s natural forests. With these considerations in mind, it’s essential that the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission uses this grant wisely to stop the spread of the HWA.
At Cold Stream Farm, we’ll be keeping a close eye on the situation to see how it develops as well. Hopefully, with aid from the federal government, Michigan will soon be able
