Welcome
Nova Scotia's Eastern Hemlock is a foundational species in Eastern Canada and some of the last remaining old-growth forests. They perform unique ecological functions. Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is a small, invasive, aphid-like insect that causes decline and eventual death to our Eastern hemlock. HWA was first identified in Nova Scotia in 2017 and has now spread to at least seven counties in southwestern Nova Scotia. The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Working Group developed this website to provide information to concerned landowers and the general public to encourage the preservation of hemlock.
Our Mission
The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Working Group is a collaboration of government and non-government groups promoting research, management, and outreach in an effort to conserve Nova Scotia's hemlock resources in the face of the invasive insect hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). Our goal is to provide information to concerned landowners, government agencies, and the general public to encourage the preservation of hemlock.
This brochure and Early Detection Key gives landowners an introduction to this invasive pest and options currently available if you detect HWA on hemlocks. If you wish to report the presence of HWA please take a picture and report it to our team. You can either submit the observation to iNaturalist or send an email directly to us at HWA@NShemlock.ca
News
Canada and Nova Scotia commit to shared actions to protect more nature and halt biodiversity loss
August 2022: We are pleased to see the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, together with the Nova Scotia Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the Nova Scotia Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables, come together to announce their shared commitment to nature conservation in the province.
Among other commitments, the governments have announced plans to develop a funding agreement to conserve old-growth forests and address the hemlock woolly adelgid, committing up to $10 million under the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund. We hope that this agreement will continue to provide support for the valued old-growth forest of Nova Scotia and slow the loss of the Eastern Hemlock in Nova Scotia. Click here to read the full August 18th news release.