Begin Main Content Area


The Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council and partners around the state celebrated the second annual Pennsylvania Native Species Day on Thursday, May 18

Leaders from the state Departments of Agriculture, Transportation, Environmental Protection, and Conservation and Natural Resources; the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission; and the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association visited North Creek Nurseries in Landenburg, Chester County. 

They highlighted actions state agencies are taking to help counter the proliferation of invasive species and their increasing ecological, economic, and public health impacts in Pennsylvania. North Creek owner Steve Castorani gave a tour of the grounds of this 70 percent native plant grower and wholesaler.


 


Big thank you to those below and other partners around the state who joined in with public education and volunteer activities:

    • Nescopeck State Park
    • Chester County Parks and Recreation and Penn State Extension Chester County Master Gardeners
    • Promised Land State Park
    • Carnegie Museum of Natural History Powdermill Nature Preserve
    • Parker Dam State Park
    • Penn State Extension Erie County Master Watershed Stewards and Master Gardeners
    • Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
    • Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland 
    • Longwood Gardens
    • Delaware Canal State Park
    • Loyalhanna Watershed Association, Westmoreland County Penn State Master Gardeners and Master Watershed Stewards, Forbes State Forest, Westmoreland County Master Naturalists, and Weeders and Seeders Garden Club
    • Beltsville State Park
    • Charlestown Township Environmental Advisory Council
    • Native Fish Coalition Pennsylvania Chapter
    • Wild Ones Southcentral Pennsylvania Chapter and Appalachian Audubon Society
    • Wild Ones Western Pennsylvania Chapter
    • Michaux Forest Association
    • Peace Valley Nature Center
    • Philadelphia County Master Watershed Stewards
    • Ricketts Glen State Park

Why protect Pennsylvania’s native species?

Pennsylvania is home to diverse native plants, trees, insects, fish, birds, and mammals that originated thousands of years ago and thrive in mutual dependence. This native ecosystem provides us with natural resources that benefit our lives by enabling agricultural food production, recreation, fisheries, timber, and more.

As humans have increased worldwide commerce and travel, nonnative species have crisscrossed the world with us. When species are transported to areas outside their native range, they have no natural predators. They often invade, crowding out and threatening the survival of native species.

The council created Pennsylvania Native Species Day to celebrate the state’s diverse native species and increase Pennsylvanians’ understanding of the importance of protecting them against the proliferation of invasive species.


Resources on Pennsylvania Native Species and Invasive Species

While not meant to be an exhaustive list, these sources may help you learn which species are native and more.


Native:
Invasive:

For more information:

If you have any questions about Pennsylvania Native Species Day, contact Deb Klenotic, Governor's Invasive Species Council Communications Chair, at dklenotic@pa.gov or (717) 649-9136.