About Us
Hello! Save Georgia's Hemlocks is a rapidly growing grassroots organization of energetic individuals with diverse backgrounds, interests, ages, and origins, united by a common goal to save the hemlocks. We began our efforts in July 2009 with a large goal -- to serve all of north Georgia where the woolly adelgid is a serious threat. With the help of many partners and volunteers, we have made steady progress since then, but there is still much to do.
Please join us! There are many different ways to get involved -- a little or a lot -- so come join us, share the fun, and find your special role in this important cause! Please contact us by e-mail or call the Hemlock Help LineSM 706-429-8010 to let us know of your interest. Click here for a membership form you can print and mail, or you can make your membership contribution via PayPal.
Also
check out our Facebook page to meet other members and join the cause!
Mission
SAVE GEORGIA'S HEMLOCKS is a 100% volunteer,
nonprofit organization of concerned citizens dedicated to saving endangered
hemlocks through education and charitable service.
It is our vision that through our efforts of
preservation, conservation, and restoration, there will be a healthy population
of hemlocks in Georgia for future generations. To
achieve this, our Hemlock Help Program focuses on three goals:
■ Educate -- Enhance public awareness of the hemlock woolly adelgid crisis, current practical solutions, and emerging control technologies.
■ Enable -- Ensure easy access to information, advice regarding economical solutions, and direct assistance for property owners.
■ Encourage -- Establish a clear understanding of the aesthetic, economic, and environmental reasons for property owners to take timely and effective action to save their hemlocks.
To learn about the features of the program, how to use the services, and how to participate as an individual or group, please visit on the Hemlock Help page.
Guiding Principles
Our Program Description sets forth the problem statement, program goal and objectives, services and scope, and implementation plan, as well as the following guiding principles:
■ Do all for the benefit of property owners and their hemlocks with no benefit accruing to any participant.
■ Operate in the most efficient, cost-effective manner, adhering to nonprofit standards of excellence and best practices.
■ Do all with simplicity, transparency, and the spirit of charitable service.
We
are a fiscally conservative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and promise to use your gifts very carefully. Our budgetary goal is to keep
overhead expenses to 20% or less in order to devote 80% or more of our resources
to clearly defined program activities, and our books are open to public
inspection upon request.
It is our intention to keep the organization lean, proactive, community-based, and uncomplicated. We welcome all individuals and groups who share our vision to save north Georgia's hemlocks for this and future generations. Click here to meet our Board of Directors and Officers.
Steady Progress
The past three years have been an exciting and productive journey with the level of awareness about our threatened hemlocks rising to an all-time high and so many wonderful people coming forward to join the battle to save them. In 2011, our momentum and membership grew substantially, and we expect that to continue in 2012.
Here are the highlights of our 2011 activities and accomplishments. Click here for the full report and financial information for FY 2011 (12/1/10 - 11/30/11). You can also see a recap and photos of our 2011 Hike and Help for the Hemlocks.
■ 9 Georgia counties served by the Hemlock Help Program
■ 81 volunteer Facilitators in Georgia and 16 in TN/NC
■ Hemlock Help Line available 7 days a week with 775 calls handled in 2011
■ 3 Hemlock Help Clinics conducted with 64 attendees
■ 4 Facilitator training workshops conducted for 27 new Facilitators
■ Hemlock Lessons taught for 350 children in 12 elementary and middle school classes; 2 included hemlock sapling planting on campus and 6 included seedling potting.
■ 10 presentations to other community groups
■ Hemlock information booth, seedling potting, and/or presentation at 7 festivals; provided saplings and educational materials for 2 more festivals
■ 5 newspaper articles published; 1 newspaper interview
■ 2,000 awareness post cards sent to Fannin, Gilmer, Habersham, and White County property owners
■ “Saving Georgia’s Hemlocks” half-hour documentary developed by SGH and produced/broadcast by Windstream Cable TV on Channel 4 “Common Cup” program
■ 9 charitable service projects for hemlock treatment.
■ 2 sapling potting projects to prepare trees for future adoption or reforestation; 1,608 hemlock saplings or seedlings adopted and planted
■ 2,068 volunteer hours logged
■ In FY 2011 89.8% of our total spending was for for education and charitable service and 10.2% for administrative, fund raising, and membership building activities.
Proactive Plans for the Future
The next two years are likely to be the “tipping point” years for the hemlocks in Georgia, and there is much to do! With the adelgid’s prolific reproduction rate and the limited financial and manpower resources facing our public land managers, the hemlocks are at a major disadvantage, and private property owners will be an important key to the very survival of the species. Here are the highlights of our 2012 plans.
■ More counties added to Hemlock Help Program (Pickens and Dawson) to stay on the leading edge of the HWA infestation
■ More clinics and presentations for neighborhood associations, garden clubs, recreational or environmental groups, civic organizations, and schools
■ More enabling for communities through Facilitator training and increased access to treatment products through local retailers
■ More awareness created through mailing campaigns, placement of educational materials in public places, and publication of hemlock articles and updates
■ More outreach through public events, fairs and festivals, and another special major event
■ More community service through partnerships with other like-minded organizations, service projects, and charitable assistance to individuals and communities where it’s needed
Our Needs
To achieve our vital missions, we need more members to help spread the word, more Facilitators and other volunteers, and more financial support. If the hemlock is near and dear to your heart, please join the efforts of Save Georgia’s Hemlocks. Click here to join or donate. And thanks!
Newsletters
■ Hemlock Happenings 2011 #1 -- Spring is prime time to treat hemlocks, News from the front, SGH hemlock documentary on Windstream week of March 14, Awareness campaign, Free clinics and presentations, Kioritz injectors discontinued, Calendar, Volunteers needed, Environmental heroes documentary, Charitable service offered, New waterfall walks book, Loss of a friend, SGH board member search.
■ Hemlock Happenings 2011 #2 -- Report on annual meeting and membership picnic, News from the front, Volunteer Facilitator program needs you, Hike for the Hemlocks fall event, Hemlock documentary DVD available, Technical tips, Communities take action, SGH board opportunity.
■ Hemlock Happenings 2011 #3 -- Hike & Hike for the Hemlocks, Advice from the front, Sharing the hemlock message at Apple Festival, Scouts save hemlocks at Foxfire, Awareness is key, Treatment help is available, Technical tips, Calendar being set for 2012.
Meetings
Board meetings are held quarterly. They may include both Board business and general information, and we welcome the participation of all interested parties. The next Board meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. The agenda and location will be posted in advance.
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■
1-8-12 Meeting
Agenda ■ 1-8-12 Meeting Notes |
Organizing Documents and Reports
■ Bylaws
as amended 1-9-11, including policies for:Conflict of Interest
Nondiscrimination
Donor Privacy
Document Management
Whistleblower Protection
■ IRS 501(c)(3) Letter of Determination
(tax-exempt status)Note: We will also make these documents available for public inspection upon request.