Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts

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Butler County Conservation District Hosts Spotted Lanternfly Workshop

Jen Barckhoff demonstrates how to set up a circle trap. Photo provided by BCCD.

Submitted by Ryan Harr, Butler County Conservation District Watershed Resource Specialist

On April 16, the Butler County Conservation District (BCCD), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), held a workshop to address the growing threat of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly.

Held at Alameda Park, the workshop featured presentations by BCCD’s Jennifer Barckhoff and PDA Forester Noah Hayslip.  The presentations covered Spotted Lanternfly identification, its lifecycle, and the significance of Tree-of-Heaven. They also discussed current quarantine regulations and property management to help slow the insect’s spread.

The installation of a circle trap was also demonstrated. The program concluded with an interactive Egg(mass) Hunt, where participants learned firsthand how to detect and remove egg masses, a crucial step in controlling the Spotted Lanternfly population. By engaging the community in these hands-on efforts, BCCD and PDA reinforced the role the public has in combating this destructive pest.

The Spotted Lanternfly, originally from Asia, poses a serious threat to Pennsylvania’s agriculture and ecosystems, particularly affecting grapevines, hardwood trees, and other crops. BCCD plans to hold future workshops on other invasive species.

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PACD North West Region Will Test a New Pilot Invasive Species Program

From the Elk County Conservation District Bugle Newsletter, Volume 10, Issue 2, Summer 2022

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) was awarded a $210,000 Landscape Scale Restoration Grant from the USDA Forest Service for a pilot PRISM program in Northwest PA. PRISM stands for Pennsylvania Regional Invasive Species Management.

The presence of invasive species is becoming more and more prevalent across PA. These invasive species are not native to the area and by having no natural predators, are able to outcompete native species and take over. The presence of invasive species poses a threat to Pennsylvania’s economy, natural resources, and quality of life.

The PRISM program allocates funding for the removal and treatment of invasive species, as well as educational programming to teach the public and businesses about this threat. PRISMs such as this have been implemented in other states for years with great success. We hope that the implementation of this program in Pennsylvania will help us reclaim the wild areas of our state and keep invasive species at bay!

Click here to read more about the invasive species survey in PA. 

 

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