Invasive Plants and Pests Tour

Invasive Plants and Pests Tour for Woodland Owners

On Saturday, June 9, 2012, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the Cumberland Woodland Owners’ Association is sponsoring an “Invasive Plants and Pests Tour” at Pine Grove Furnace State Park.  Nathan Fite, Service Forester for the PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry, will lead a walking tour to show how to identify and control invasive plants and pests that threaten our forests.  The group will meet at 1:00 pm on June 9 in Pine Grove Furnace State Park at the Laurel Lake day use parking lot by Cold Spring Road.  Wear appropriate clothing for outdoors including hiking boots.  The tour will take place rain or shine so plan to bring raingear in case weather is marginal.   You do not have to be a member of the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association and there is no cost to attend but registration is requested.  For more information or to register, contact George Hurd, Penn State Extension at 717/263-9226 ext. 225 or by email at grh5@psu.edu.  If you are planning to attend, please register by Thursday, June 7, 2012. 

Invasive insects, plants, and microbes have had and continue to have a significant harmful impact on U.S. forests.  Invasive plants easily colonize the disturbed areas and enter adjacent woodlands.  Invasive plants also can interfere with the growth of new trees.  Competition from invasive plants reduces native plant diversity, and can harm animals that depend on native plants for food and shelter.  Invasive plants threaten the habitat of two-thirds of all threatened and endangered wildlife species.    It is estimated by the U.S. Forest Service that economic damages caused by nonindigenous species and costs for control and management of these species exceed $137 billion per year.  One of the best ways to control these plants is for woodland owners to familiarize themselves with the plants and work with local officials and agencies to start eradication programs.

To get to Pine Grove Furnace State Park from the north, take I-81 to Exit 37 and then travel south on PA 233 for eight miles.  Once at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, turn left at the stop sign on Pine Grove Road and go two miles to the Laurel Lake day use area parking lot. To get to Pine Grove Furnace State Park from the south, take Rt. 30 to Caledonia State Park, travel north on PA 233 for fifteen miles.  Once at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, stay to the right at the PA 233 and Pine Grove Road split and then travel two miles on Pine Grove Road to the Laurel Lake day use area parking lot.  The group will meet at the Laurel Lake day use parking lot by Cold Spring Road. 

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association (CWOA) is an organization of private forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania.  The CWOA provides information and education and is a forum for the exchange of ideas about the methods and benefits of proper forest management. The association emphasizes the awareness and implementation of best forestry management practices to sustain the forest and meet each landowner's objectives including recreational, economic and forest conservation values.  For more information about the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net).