Leaders from seven state agencies will announce Governor Tom Wolf's proclamation of the first Pennsylvania Native Species Day June 17 at 11 a.m.at a stream restoration site at Fish and Boat Commission headquarters, 1601 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg.
The agencies are members of the Governor's Invasive Species Council. Speakers will include Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Tim Schaeffer, Council Coordinator in the Department of Agriculture Kris Abell, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Assistant State Forester Matt Keefer, Acting Secretary of Health and Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson, Department of Transportation Acting Executive Deputy Secretary Melissa Batula, and Game Commission Director of Wildlife Habitat Management David Gustafson.
Representatives from Philadelphia-based Resource Environmental Solutions, the contractor on the stream restoration project, will talk about the habitat of native trees, shrubs, grasses, and perennials planted as part of the project.
The Governor's Invasive Species Council created Pennsylvania Native Species Day to increase people's understanding of the diverse ecosystem of native plants, insects, and animals in the state and the range of benefits it provides. This biodiversity is under increasing pressure from invasive nonnative species, which are also having negative economic and public health impacts in Pennsylvania.
State parks and other organizations will join in the celebration by offering local activities around the state. For more information, see Pennsylvania Native Species Day at https://bit.ly/3tCLmDl.
The event will also be livestreamed at pacast.com/live/dep.
Categories: Pennsylvania, Business, Government & Policy