Tracking the Spread: An Invasive Species Survey of the Sinnemahoning Watershed

Non-native invasive plant species impact almost every ecosystem that people have encountered. The Sinnemahoning Watershed in Cameron County, PA is no different. Partnering with the Cameron County Conservation District (CCCD), I surveyed waterways and other assigned areas for the presence of invasive plant species that could not be visited by staff due to limited staff availability. There was a focus on Japanese knotweed, giant knotweed, and their hybrid, as well as poison hemlock, mile-a-minute, and goats rue. The locations of invasive plant species that I observed were provided to the CCCD, where they could utilize them for treatment planning so that their budget is utilized efficiently. This project allowed me to be a part of a local government organization working with them and learning how its internal operations work, in addition to being able to benefit my local community and ecosystems.