04/30/2026
Antrim Creek Natural Area (ACNA) HWA Update:
We are continuing invasive species management for hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) at Antrim Creek Natural Area into the spring and summer, with support from our colleagues at the Michigan DNR.
ACNA represents the furthest north known detection of HWA in Michigan. It is also an ecologically rich landscape made up of hardwood forest, forested wetland, conifer swamp, shrub thicket, meadow, wet meadow, and coastal dune habitats. (wetlands are shaded in green)
This work builds on CAKE CISMA's long-standing commitment to ACNA, where we have partnered for many years with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy to host collaborative volunteer invasive species workdays and support long-term habitat protection and stewardship across the natural area.
On this map highlighting a portion of ACNA, each blue dot represents a hemlock tree (or small group of hemlocks) that are not currently infested with HWA, but are being proactively treated due to their proximity to confirmed infestations. The two red dots indicate the only two trees so far that have been positively confirmed to be infested with HWA.
You’ll also notice that if you visit ACNA right now, each tree has been marked with a small metal tag. These tags are important tools that help us distinguish individual trees, support record keeping, and guide treatment decisions. We kindly ask folks to please not remove the tags.
We also want to take a moment to recognize the incredible effort of our staff in locating what truly felt like the “needle in the haystack” at ACNA. E-DNA monitoring first alerted us to a potential presence of HWA in the area, and our staff followed up on the ground—muck boots and waders on—to confirm its location through careful, meticulous fieldwork.
We've surveyed and tagged thousands of trees at ACNA so far this year, and there's more work to do. If you're interested in following along with our work at ACNA and other local natural areas subscribe to our newsletter at cakecisma.org/newsletter.
This work is made possible by the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program.
Antrim County Parks Department
Antrim Conservation District
Antrim Creek Natural Area
Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy
Green Elk Rapids
