Scouts and Students planted 88 Eastern Hemlock saplings as part of the U.S. Forest Service effort to develop disease resistance to the woolly adelgid pest that has been killing trees in the Eastern U.S. Some call Eastern Hemlock trees the “redwood of the east.” They are long-living evergreens that can grow to more than 150 feet tall. Eastern hemlocks are a "foundation species." They are important because they provide shade to the forest and keep streams cool, they are critical to health of the forest ecosystem. Up to 50% of their home range has been affected. The Scout planning and leading this project is also educating scouts and others on the dangers of moving firewood out of the immediate area, since this is one way trees are exposed to these invasive threats. This is part of the Nature Conservancy's "Don't Move Firewood" campaign. Read scout guest blog post: http://www.dontmovefirewood.org/blog/invasive-species-what-boy-and-girl-scouts-can-do.html Below are links that provide information on the invasive insects and pests that threaten trees in your area and what you can do to help. You can also download " Scouts Leave No Trace" and "^ Ways Scouts Can Prevent Invasive Species" posters below to forward or share with your scouting community.