Through funding provided to Southern Alleghenies Conservancy by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, Natural Biodiversity has created a comprehensive management plan that is designed to prevent and control the spread of invasive and noxious weeds that are threatening the Raystown Watershed.

The spread of invasive plant species is one of the most pressing environmental issues facing the region today. Upon the completion of the year-long study, the management plan pinpoints species locations; provides control recommendations for each species; and sets the ultimate goal of eventually eliminating the threats caused by invasive plants within the Raystown Watershed.

Recommendations for control efforts were focused on the plants that posed the greatest threat to their ecosystems. One of the key elements of invasive species control is the development of an early detection and rapid response protocol. Reducing the cost and man-power necessary to eliminate the threat, makes early control of unwanted species essential to the struggle against invasive plants.

The plan includes maps pin-pointing identified species locations, control recommendations for each species, restoration techniques, and plans for education and outreach.

The complete conservation plan along with the Pennsylvania invasive plant and noxious weed factsheets that contain species identification and control information will soon be available for download on both the Juniata Clean Water Partnership website.

For more information on the Raystown Riparian Vegetation Conservation Plan, contact Kristen Sewak, Natural Biodiversity, 814-532-5049, send email to: ksewak@naturalbiodiversity.org or Ben Plunkett, Juniata Clean Water Partnership, 814-506-1194, or send email to: bplunkett@jcwp.org .

1/18/2008