Cornell researchers recently identified hemlock woolly adelgids (Adelges tsugae), aphid-like insects that decimate hemlock trees, around Cornell Plantations and other natural areas and have announced volunteer training sessions to help identify and report new infestations around Cornell and in Ithaca's gorges.

Training workshops, which will give high priority to early detection of new infestations, will be held Friday, March 13, at 1 p.m.; Saturday, March 21, at 10 a.m.; and Monday, March 23, at 3 p.m., all at the Plantations Botanic Garden's Lewis Building at 1 Plantations Road.

The Asian species has become a serious threat to both Carolina and eastern hemlocks across the eastern United States and has been found in at least 17 places in the Finger Lakes area since mid-2008.

The workshops are organized by the Cornell Plantations, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell Department of Natural Resources, the Finger Lakes Land Trust and the Finger Lakes Native Plant Society.

To register or for more information, visit http://www.plantations.cornell.edu.