Southern Laurel Highlands Plant Management Partnership:
PROJECT WEED WHACK 2008
Come out to help eliminate non-native, invasive plants in the Laurel Highlands!
Who is SLHPMP and What is Project Weed Whack?
The Southern Laurel Highlands Plant Management Partnership is a group of agencies and individuals working together to help protect Pennsylvania’s native plant and animal species by controlling the spread of non-native species that compete with native plants. This group includes the Westerns Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Bear Run Nature Reserve, Fort Necessity National Battlefield, and Ohiopyle State Park.
One way to help control non-native, invasive plants is to educate our volunteers, and the general public in the identification and proper eradication techniques. Our hope is to provide hands-on, in-the-field identification and eradication practice through a series of work days. Many of the work days will be coupled with fun activities!
The following is a list of dates, places and plants that are being targeted for an invasive plant attack. Please join us for one or all of these dates! Overnight accommodations are often available- please contact the host site for more information.
Our Targeted Sites:
Bear Run Nature Reserve
This 5200-ace natural area is owned and operated by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. It lies along the west slope of Laurel Ridge, facing the spectacular Youghiogheny River gorge. More than 20 miles of marked trails traverse through this fabulous area, which is adjacent to Fallingwater, a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
This 902-acre unit of the National Park Service was the stage for the opening events of the French and Indian War. The Great Meadows, historically a wetland where the Battle of Fort Necessity took place, was also an early training ground for George Washington as a young military officer and leader. The park was established in 1931 to commemorate the battle, as well as the events that influenced Washington’s development as a military officer.
Ohiopyle State Park
This park encompasses about 19,052 acres of rugged natural beauty and serves as the gateway to the Laurel Highlands. The focal point of the area is the more than 14 miles of the Youghiogheny {yaw-ki-GAY-nee} River Gorge that passes through the heart of the park. The “Yough” provides some of the best whitewater boating in the Eastern U.S., as well as spectacular scenery.
Forbes State Forest
Pennsylvania has over 2 million acres of forestland found in State Forests, which is publicly owned and managed by DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry. Forbes State Forest comprises over 60,000 acres in Fayette, Westmoreland, and Somerset counties.
What will I need?
For each project date, please bring a lunch, water, work gloves and wear appropriate attire. Long pants and long sleeved shirts are recommended to avoid cuts and bug bites. Sturdy shoes, hiking boots or work boots are recommended as well. We will supply the tools.
Project Weedwhack dates:
Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)
When: June 27, 9:00am
Where: Ohiopyle State Park Office
What: Knotweed eradication on Middle Youghiogheny. We will float down the middle in boats and stop to do
some knotweed abuse along the way
Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum)
When: July 25, 9:00am
Where: Bear Run Nature Preserve Barn at Fallingwater
What: Stiltgrass eradication
Quebec Run Attack
When: August 15, 9:00am
Where: Quebec Run - Forbes State Forest
What: Anything we don't like
Forbes Attack
When: September 19, 9:00am
Where: Forbes State Forest, Pondfield Office
What: Plants that just don't get along well with others
How do I participate?
Please contact the host target site for details about volunteer days. Overnight accommodations are often available if you call in advance.
Contacts at each target site:
Bear Run Nature Reserve: Sarah Pears
Phone: 724-329-1441 ext. 1016
Email: spears@paconserve.org
Fort Necessity National Battlefield: Connie Ranson
Phone: 724-329-5818
Emails: connie_ranson@nps.gov
Ohiopyle State Park: Barbara Wallace or Stacie Faust
Phone: 724-329-8598 or 724-329-0986
Email: eeohiopyle@qcol.net or stfaust@state.pa.us
Southern Laurel Highlands Plant Management Partnership:
Fayette County Conservation District
Friends of Ohiopyle (FOO)
National Park Service
New Meadow Run Community
Penn’s Corner Conservancy
PA DCNR- Ohiopyle State Park
PS SCNR- Bureau of Forestry
US Forest Service
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy