A vision for our flora and fauna

By ALISON SMITH

While developing a vision for the Upper Delaware, let’s not forget about protection and conservation of our native flora and fauna. For this we can look to the past, when invasive species were scarce in our fields and along our riverbanks. Invasive species cause loss of native vegetation and wildlife habitat. Of particular concern for our waterways are invasive plants that reduce water-carrying capacity.

The Knotweed

One highly invasive species has had on our area is Japanese knotweed. As recently as 15 years ago, it was possible to hike through brush that was full of native flowers like Lobelia cardenalis (cardinal flower), Phlox divaricata (wild phlox), Myosotis sylvestris (forget me not), Saponaria officinalis (soapwort) to make your way to the beach at Skinner’s Falls. Today that same area is a dense thicket of Japanese knotweed. The plant is not deep rooted, and doesn’t hold the soil along river banks, causing sedimentation and erosion. The loss of its foliage in the fall creates thick mats on the ground that prevents growth of native vegetation.

Help is available

The good news is that there is help and guidance available. The National Park Service (NPS) has good information available on-line or in brochures, listing invasive species, suggestions on how to remove them and lists of native plants to replant once the removal is accomplished. Jamie Myers, a biologist with the NPS has a test site where she has been documenting the results of different methods used to remove knotweed. The Delaware River Invasive Plants Partnership (DRIPP) has developed a Weed Warrior & Weed Watchers program, which serves to monitor and identify invasive plants and increase public awareness.

Communities are fighting back

To be applauded are communities like nearby Hancock, NY, where a group called The Delaware River Foundation has been working on a plot near the state fishing access. The knotweed has been removed and a grass mixture has been planted in its place.

In Tinicum Township in Upper Bucks County, PA, volunteers coordinated removal of knotweed with local landowners, creating a community model for invasive plant control.

Kiski-Cinemaugh residents created a biodiversity conservation program along the Conemaugh River in Windber, PA. Their programs aim to restore native biodiversity and raise awareness about invasive exotic species among other things.

Make yourself aware of the invasive species which threaten our native biodiversity. Inform yourself of our native plants and plant them.

For information, contact:

— Delaware River Foundation, Hancock, NY, delawareriverfoundation.org.

— Delaware River Invasive Plant Partnership (DRIPP), Joanne Steinhart, paflora.org, 570/643-7922, ext. 12.

— National Park Service, Jamie Myers, 570/729-7842, jamie_myers@nps.gov

[Alison Smith is a Broome County Master Gardener and contributes her time at Cutler Botanical Gardens in Binghampton, NY. She owns and operates a garden design business, The Garden Smith.]