Recent News
State of Infestation
On November 8, 2005 state forester Charlie Burnham contacted the Friends and made the following report on the adelgid infestation: “I was at the Gorge last week and will write up a summary of what I was and have it to you sometime next week. Overall things look good but I have noticed the start…
The Friends Honored by the Green Decade Coalition!
On Thursday, June 16, 2005, The Friends of Hemlock Gorge were recognized with an Environmental Leadership Award by the Green Decade Coalition. Friends’ Webmaster John Mordes had an opportunity to deliver a PowerPoint Presentation about the work of the Friends. Green Decade is an organization of people living or working in Newton and neighboring communities,…
Quinobequin Road News: 2005
Some 12 years age the Friends suggested to the MDC, now the DCR, that something to control off road traffic on the section of Quinobequin road just downriver from Hemlock Gorge would be desirable to prevent vehicles from degrading the riverbank. We initially suggested a wood railing, but later, after hearing from neighbors, we thought…
2005 Spring Cleanup
The Friends and the DCR (formerly the MDC) extend heartfelt thanks to all the many volunteers who helped despite the rainy and cool weather.
The Newton Tab declares the Adelgid Vanquished!
In early April, 2005 the Newton Tab wrote a nice article describing the efforts being made at Hemlock Gorge to thwart the adelgid. Site Supervisor Kevin Hollenbeck was featured. A PDF of the article has been provided.
The Arnold Arboretum’s Response to the Adelgid
The Arnold Arboretum’s famed Hemlock Hill has been severely impacted by the adelgid, and more than 100 trees have been lost. (They opted against an attempt to introduce ladybugs, as was done at Hemlock Gorge.) The Arboretum staff are undertaking an extensive research program that is described in some detail at their web site: https://arboretum.harvard.edu/plants/hemlock-hill-history-management-and-research/
Annual Letter to Members, 2004
In 2005, we will continue our productive relationship with the leadership of the Department of Conservation and Recreation and its Urban Park Bureau. We will also continue our strong partnership with Site Supervisor Kevin Hollenbeck and his associate Bob Hassett. We note with pleasure that the new director of the Urban Park Bureau is Kevin’s…
2004 Fall Cleanup
At this event, we celebrated Hannah Sherman’s many years of service to the Friends as our Secretary and awarded her a lifetime membership
2004 Spring Cleanup
Annual Letter to Members, 2003
As the year draws to a close, we again write to you to mark the end of an eventful time for the Friends. In addition, we appeal to you to renew your membership and your commitment to our activities in 2004.
Adelgid News: A lot of uncertainty
In January we received the following report from Forester Charlie Burnham. The trees in the Gorge seemed to him to be in better shape, but he could not determine if the cold weather or the ladybugs are responsible. This is his report: “I was down at the Gorge in mid December to install a temperature…
2003 Fall Cleanup
