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Protecting the Land that Protects the Lake since 1988

 

LGLC News for June 2021

gypsy moth caterpillar

Gypsy Moths and Lake George

Lake George's forests aren't looking so great right now, especially in Hague, Ticonderoga, and parts of the south basin, and many residents and guests have been quite concerned about the state of the trees on their land and surrounding mountains. The good news is, it's NOT because of the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid, and though they look bad, these trees are not dead. The bad news is, it is because of another invasive pest, the gypsy moth.

Gypsy moths have been present in the United States since the late 1800s. In their caterpillar stage, this destructive critter feeds on the leaves of over 300 different plant species. Gypsy moth caterpillars especially enjoy eating oak leaves, but if there is a large enough infestation the caterpillars will eat just about any tree species that grows in our forests.

For some reason, 2021 has been an especially bad season for gypsy moths, and many, many trees have been defoliated. It is upsetting to see bare tree branches and to see these caterpillars on the ground, floating on top of the water, and hanging from trees.

It is important to note that generally, these infested trees are not dead. Most healthy trees can withstand a year of complete defoliation caused by gypsy moth caterpillars. We will have to wait to see what happens, but there is even a chance that these trees will grow their leaves back again this summer.

After talking with partners, the LGLC has learned that treating gypsy caterpillar infestations with chemical or biological means (using the naturally occurring bacteria Bt) would not be effective. Instead, here are some steps that you can take to improve the chance of survival of the trees on your property:

  • this summer, especially if it is hot and dry, make sure that the trees on your property receive sufficient water. A tree that experiences stress from the gypsy moths will be less likely to survive a drought than an otherwise healthy tree free of infestation.
  • in the fall, monitor your trees for gypsy moth egg masses. These egg masses are found on tree bark and can be scraped off of the bark and into a bucket of warm soapy water.
  • early next spring, wrap tree bark with a barrier (for example burlap or a sticky band) that will prevent newly hatched gypsy moths from climbing up into the tree canopy and eating its leaves.

By July, the gypsy moths should fly away and (fingers crossed!) our trees will re-leaf.

Here are some links for more information:

See Page 4, Lake George Mirror (PDF download)
See Page 21, Glens Falls Chronicle (PDF download)

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Michigan State University Integrative Pest Management Program

 
Celebration 2021 invitation

You're Invited!

On Friday, July 30th, we invite you to return to this page where we’ll be kicking off this summer’s Fund-A-Need campaigns, accompanied by a brand-new video highlighting these special lands and waters. Grab a beverage, gather with friends and tune in on Friday evening to be transported to the land.

Donate any time throughout the weekend, and know that when you take a walk in the cool forest or dive into the clear lake, you’ve made your impact in protecting this special place, forever. It’s that simple.

We need YOU to help us make an IMPACT for these exciting projects!

 
Hike-A-Thon event header - collage of images from past Hike-A-Thons and logo

2021 Hike-A-Thon is Coming July 5th!

The Hike-A-Thon is just a few weeks away and we couldn't be more excited to have this redemption year after a virtual alternate version last year. With nearly 700 hikers, paddlers and volunteers we are ready for our biggest event yet. Thank you to all who have registered to participate in groups or on your own.

We thank our partner sites for their participation this year: Silver Bay YMCA Conference and Family Retreat Center, Up Yonda Farm Environmental Education Center, and Wiawaka Center for Women.

The Hike-A-Thon is a free public outreach event, made possible with the financial support of business sponsors and individuals who choose to donate with their registrations. Thank you! We are sincerely grateful for the support of the following sponsors for 2021:

Town of Bolton logo
Life Well Lived by Beth Tiger logo
Carl Heilman II/Wild Visions, Inc. logo
North Country Heliflite logo
Lake George Mirror logo
JUST water logo
Lake George RV Park logo
Stewart's Shops, logo
The Sembrich logo
Town of Hague, logo
Blue Blaze Coffee Co logo
Camp David, Lake George logo
Connally Creative logo
Love is on Lake George logo
Rotary Club of Lake George logo
text: Staloff Brothers Custom Metal Fabrication
Arcurio Consulting logo
Cedar Graphics logo
Clothier Planning & Consulting logo
My Little Love Note logo
 
Adirondack Mountain Club logo
 
 

More Events!

Be sure to visit our website, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get updates and posts about events as more are added. Registration is required for most events - visit lglc.org for more information and to register.

Living Lands Series will be virtual again this year; registration is not required. Videos will go live at 5:30 PM on the event date.

Leave No Trace logo and tagline

June 30: Living Lands, Leave No Trace

Maggie Newell, Adirondack Mountain Club’s Outreach Coordinator, will give this introduction to Leave No Trace skills and ethics. Learn how to minimize your impacts at every step of your adventure, from trip planning to how to poop in the woods!

Heather Bruegl

June 7: "Not the Last of the Mohicans"

All of the present-day Adirondacks are the native homelands of the Mohican people before they were displaced to Wisconsin. Join Heather Bruegl, a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, to learn more about who the Mohican people are and how they shaped our history.

Adirondack Watershed Institute

July 14: Wildlife in the Adirondacks: Implications of Land Use Management

Michale Glennon, Science Director of the Paul Smith's College Adirondack Watershed Institute will discuss some of the primary ways in which the public and private land use structure and management decisions in the Adirondacks affect the characteristics of wildlife communities, drawing on two decades of research.

Loon, photo by Ron Tanner

Photo by Ron Tanner

July 21: Nesting Loons with Dr. Nina Schoch

Dr. Nina Schoch, Executive Director of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, will give a summary of some of the findings of research on factors affecting the nesting success of Adirondack loons, as well as an overview of loon behavior and natural history, and the work of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation.

Sponsor Amy's Race

Seeking Sponsors for Amy's Race

This year's Amy's Adventure Race for the Lake will be October 2, and sponsorships are now being accepted through August 14! Sponsors provide crucial funding for a professional, safe and fun trail race run. All additional funds raised for Amy’s Race go towards the LGLC’s Bolton Recreational Hub. Be a sponsor!

 

Post of the Month

LGLC STORIES:: Andrea Rice popped by our office a month or so ago, mentioning that she would like to volunteer ...  Posted 5/19/2021

Other popular posts:

There has been a lot of concern around Lake George about gypsy moth caterpillars ... posted 6/10/2021

SUNSET:: a beautiful shot of our Pilot Knob gazebo at sunset. ... IG post, 5/21/2021

Lake George Land Conservancy
4905 Lake Shore Dr., PO Box 1250 | Bolton Landing, New York  12814
518-644-9673 | giving@lglc.org

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