Conservation Initiative Documents & Resources

Agriculture

The Pennsylvania Nutrient Management Program provides a comprehensive source of information about Pennsylvania’s Nutrient Management Act (Act 38, 2005) Program, and associated technical guidance and educational information.

PAOneStop provides online tools to help farmers meet regulatory requirements for Conservation and Nutrient Management Planning.

The Center for Agricultural and Shale Law conducts agricultural and shale law research and outreach activities with a specific focus on those issues of importance in Pennsylvania.

Invasive Species

GYPSY MOTH (LYMANTRIA DISPAR)

Gypsy Moths have been destroying Pennsylvania’s forests since the 1970s. According to DCNR, the gypsy moth is the principal agent of tree mortality over the last 50 years. 

Gypsy Moth Spraying for Private Residential Landowners


SPOTTED LANTERNFLY (LYCORMA DELICATULA)

Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) has been reported in Blair County and is abundant in surrounding counties. SLF are commonly found on the invasive tree-of-heaven, but it will lay eggs on any flat surface. While tree-of-heaven is the favorite food of SLF, they also feed on grapevines, maples, hops, black walnut, and other important plants in Pennsylvania. Damage from feeding SLF leads to decreased plant health and/or death. Here’s some tips for identifying SLF:

  • Adults about 1 inch long, spotted wings with red underneath
  • Nymphs are black with white spots
  • Egg masses are about one inch long and have a mud-like covering

HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID (ADELGES TSUGAE)

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) only affects Eastern Hemlocks. They feed at the base of the hemlock needles causing the needles to die. A hemlock can die in as little as four years after being infected by HWA. Tips to identify HWA infections include:

  • White, woolly bunches at the base of hemlock needles
  • Yellowing needles, crown thinning, and branch die back

For a full list of Pennsylvania’s invasive plant species, click here.

JAPANESE KNOTWEED (FALLOPIA JAPONICA)

Japanese knotweed was introduced to the US in the late 1800s as an ornamental and to stabilize stream banks. It covers banks along streams and rivers in the County and along roadsides. Here’s some tips to help you identify it:

  • Large, bright green and heart-shaped leaves
  • Green and red hollow stems resemble bamboo
  • Flowers (white clusters) appear in late summer
  • Commonly found in wetlands or along stream/river banks

Knotweed spreads very rapidly and grows tall and thick, smothering out native vegetation. Though it was planted for stream bank stabilization, it provides very poor erosion control compared to native plants.


TREE-OF-HEAVEN (AILANTHUS ALTISSIMA)


ORIENTAL BITTERSWEET (CELASTRUS ORBICULATUS)