Please join the Catskill Center and the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP), July 13th at 2:00 PM for a screening of of Chris Foito's invasive species documentary entitled "The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: A Film About the Loss of an Ecosystem" at the Doctorow Center for the Arts, 7971 New York 23A, Hunter, NY.

The film will be followed by a Q&A session with forest health experts Mark Whitmore (Forest Entomologist, Cornell University), Bob O'Brien (New York State Office of Parks Invasive Species Control-Field Director,), John Thompson (Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership Coordinator) and Dan Snider (Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership Field Projects Manager).

Watch a trailer for the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBlb73RlQ2U&noredirect=1

Hemlocks are ecologically important due to the unique environmental conditions they create under their dense canopies. These shaded habitats are critical to the survival of a variety of species, providing food, shelter, and ideal living conditions. A number of species of birds including Blackburnian Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler and Winter Wren are closely associated with hemlock ecosystems during their breeding seasons. Because hemlocks are able to grow in shallow soils, stabilize shallow soils and provide erosion control in ravines and along streamsides. Their shade along streams helps moderate water temperatures, maintaining a suitable environment for cold-water species such as trout. The loss of hemlocks from New York State ecosystems may dramatically change ecosystem processes and result in the decline of other plants and wildlife that depend on those forests.

This event is part of New York’s Third Annual Invasive Species Awareness Week. During the week of July 10-16, events are being held across New York State to raise awareness about invasive species.

For more information, contact the Catskill Center at 845-586-2611, jthompson@catskillcenter.org, or visit www.catskillcenter.org.