September 13, 2025
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NOVA SCOTIA
Province Supports Work to Save Hemlock Trees From Invasive Species

September 12, 2025
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The government is supporting two projects to help save Nova Scotia's hemlock trees from the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect that attacks and kills the trees.

Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced funding for:

  • Acadia University's hemlock woolly adelgid biocontrol facility; $356,214, including $156,214 from the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund and $200,000 from the federal Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund
  • the Town of Bridgewater's hemlock preservation project; $255,500 from the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund.

"The hemlock is one of Nova Scotia's most special and beautiful trees," said Minister Halman. "Across the province, Nova Scotians, community groups, the Mi'kmaq and all three levels of government are working together with fierce determination to save hemlock trees and forests. This funding will support that vital work."

Hemlock trees are one of Nova Scotia's largest and longest-living tree species and are an important part of old-growth forests. It is estimated they store 15-21 million tons of carbon, which is vital for mitigating climate change, and their dense canopy creates a unique ecosystem. Hemlock forests provide shade, helping to regulate temperature. They also control erosion and reduce water run-off; provide valuable habitat for moose, deer, birds and rare lichen; cool stream beds for trout and salmon; and hold spiritual significance to the Mi'kmaq.

Acadia's project includes building a facility to mass produce natural predators - silver flies and fungus beetles - of the hemlock woolly adelgid. These insects, originally from the Pacific Northwest, are seen as the best long-term solution to help control the spread of the hemlock woolly adelgid in Nova Scotia's forests.

The Town of Bridgewater will treat an infestation of the hemlock woolly adelgid in the community's parks and trails over the next two years. This work will help protect the health of local forests, reduce fire risks and lower the chance of flooding by keeping the ground stable and able to hold water.

These projects are in addition to a provincial management program, funded by the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, that has already treated more than 50,000 hemlock trees.

Quotes:

"We are incredibly grateful to receive this Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund funding, which will be put to work to help safeguard our community's hemlock trees - an important step in protecting them and our invaluable public park spaces for generations to come."

David Mitchell, Mayor, Town of Bridgewater

"The invasive hemlock woolly adelgid threatens to erase Nova Scotia's ancient hemlock forests and the ecological, cultural and economic values they provide. At Acadia University's new biocontrol facility, we are raising two natural predators of the hemlock woolly adelgid to target different stages of the pest's life cycle. This will allow us to release tens of thousands of predators each year to help protect and restore Nova Scotia's hemlock forests. This work is possible thanks to the generous support of the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change, and the federal Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund."

N. Kirk Hillier, professor and acting department Head, department of biology, Acadia University

"Nova Scotia's forests face a serious threat from the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid. Researchers, government, the Mi'kmaq, community groups and forestry companies are advancing solutions, including biological controls like predator beetles, careful selective harvesting of the highest impacted stands and targeted use of chemical control on some of our most valuable trees an integrated pest management strategy. These actions and this financial support from the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund and the federal Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund are vital not only for biodiversity and healthy ecosystems but also for our economy - supporting tourism, recreation and forestry. With co-ordinated effort and continued investment in science, we can preserve biodiversity and ensure future generations benefit from the ecological importance of our hemlock forests."

Todd Burgess, Executive Director, Forest Nova Scotia

"The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities is pleased to support the Town of Bridgewater and Acadia University in their efforts to combat the hemlock woolly adelgid through two critical approaches: direct, on-the-ground treatment and long-term biocontrol. These initiatives are designed to safeguard Nova Scotia's forests and strengthen climate resilience over time, using innovative, science-based solutions. This kind of leadership and commitment is exactly what the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund was created to empower, because preserving our forests means protecting the future - for ecosystems and for generations to come."

Juanita Spencer, CEO, Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities

Quick Facts:

  • the hemlock woolly adelgid was first seen in Nova Scotia in 2017 and has been detected in nine counties - Shelburne, Yarmouth, Queens, Digby, Lunenburg, Annapolis, Kings, Hants and Halifax
  • the pest has no natural predators in Nova Scotia
    • chemical treatments to individual trees are currently the only effective way to control the insect in the short-term
    • long-term solutions include importing and growing natural predators
  • the government created the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund in 2021 as part of the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act, its legislated commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, respond to climate change, transform how Nova Scotians produce and use energy, make homes and buildings energy efficient, and more
  • the program provides grants to municipalities, non-profit and community organizations, post-secondary institutions and Mi'kmaw communities to help them respond to and prepare for climate change impacts and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; since launching in 2022, about $10 million in funding has been invested
  • the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund is a $1.4-billion, 10-year fund (2021-2031) to help conserve, restore and enhance the management of ecosystems such as wetlands, peatlands, forests and grasslands in order to help tackle climate change and biodiversity loss

Additional Resources:

For more information

Government of Nova Scotia
1800 Argyle Street
Halifax Nova Scotia
Canada B3J 2V9
www.novascotia.ca


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