Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û

The University of North Georgia's (Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û) Ecological Protection Lab has been fighting back against the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect that is literally sucking the life and sap from Appalachian hemlock trees.

On March 21, Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û's Ecological Protection Lab was featured in "Trust the Trail," a podcast led by Scott and Ariane Janz that focuses on "everything outdoors," from camping and hiking to ecological preservation.

Hannah Carroll, a Forsyth County, Georgia, native who is pursuing a degree in biological science, has been working with Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û's Ecological Protection Lab since February 2018 and says she loves every minute of lab and field research.

"A woman approached our table during Trail Fest last year, and we told her about our lab. She was extremely interested and told us about her podcast called 'Trust the Trail,'" Carroll said. "Having an opportunity to spread the word about the hemlock woolly adelgid and our lab is key to preserving the species."

Stacie James said the goal of the podcast, "," is to spread awareness, increase stewardship of the forest and spread hope for the hemlocks. As program coordinator of the Environmental Leadership Center, which houses the lab, she said the Ecological Protection Lab and other organizations have the same goal.