Welcome to Ridley Creek State Park Invasive Plants

Workshop

Welcome and Introduction

Roger McChesney, Park Superintendent

Tim Higgins, President, Friends of Ridley Creek State Park

Goals

Understand what invasive plants are

Understand how they impact the local environment

Learn how to identify invasives Determine strategies for

control/management

What are Invasive Plants??

Reproduce rapidly Spread over large areas Few, if any, natural controls Share important characteristics

Spread aggressively by runners or rhizomes Produce large numbers of seeds that

survive to germinate Disperse seeds away from parent plant via

wind, water, wildlife, people

How do invasives impact the local environment??

Displace native plants including some very rare species

Reduce food and shelter for native wildlife

Eliminate host plants of native insects

Compete for native plant pollinators Affect recreational activities

Identifying Invasives

Multiflora Rose

Identifying Invasives

Garlic Mustard

Identifying Invasives

Japanese Knotweed

Identifying Invasives

Japanese Stilt Grass (also known as

Nepalese Browntop)

Identifying Invasives

Autumn Olive

Identifying Invasives

Japanese Barberry

Identifying Invasives

Wine berry (also known as Wine Raspberry)

Identifying Invasives

Winged Burning Bush

Identifying Invasives

Mile-a-minute Weed

Identifying Invasives

Tree of Heaven

Emerging Invasives in Ridley Creek State Park

Identifying Invasives

Kudzo

Identifying Invasives

Porcelainberry (also known as Amur peppervine)

Identifying Invasives

Japanese Hop

Glossary

Alien, exotic, foreign, introduced – all the same as non-native.

Non-native – a species that due to direct or indirect human activity, occurs in locations beyond its known historical or potential natural range. Refrs to species from another continent region, ecosystem, or habitat.

Glossary (continued)

Indigenous – same as native

Native – a species that naturally occurs in a particular region, ecosystem and habitat. Species native to North America are generally recognized as those occurring on the continent prior to European settlement.

Glossary (continued)

Weed – a subjective word used to describe any plant growing wherever someone wishes it did not; can include native and non-native plants.

Noxious weed – a legal designation used specifically for species that have been determined to be major pests of agricultural systems and are subject, by law, to certain restrictions.

Glyphosate - a type of systemic herbicide; e.g., Roundup, for land or Rodeo for wetlands or near water.

Biological control – the use of living organisms – parasites, pathogens, or predators – to control an invasive or other pest species.

Systemic herbicide – an herbicide that is absorbed by a plant and carried throughout the tissues.

Pest – a plant, animal, or other organism considered harmful.

More information

Future invasives sessions at RCSP Websites:

www.nps.gov/plants/alienweedsgonewild.org www.dcnr.state.pa.us www.invasivespecies.gov

Thank you for coming!!

Enjoy your Park!

Friends official website…

www.friendsofrcsp.org