Brodhead Watershed
Invasive Species Management Plan
Weeding Out Invasives:
A Plan to Restore Biodiversity
View maps of findings
ABOUT THE PROJECT LEARN MORE ABOUT INVASIVE PLANTS
Invasive, non-native plants crowd out the natives that indigenous creatures rely on for food, breeding and nesting, shelter, shade and more. Some invasives are quite beautiful – but they throw nature’s balance out of kilter. Local streams have been particularly hard hit. The invaders, including Japanese Knotweed, multiflora rose, barberry and Purple Loosestrife, move quickly and can completely dominate a stream within just a few seasons.
The Brodhead Watershed Association has been awarded grants totaling $60,000 to develop a plan to control invasive plant species in the Brodhead and Cherry Creek watersheds. The grant was awarded by the Community Conservation Partnerships Program of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
In addition to the $60,000 grants, local match funding of $74,250 is being provided. The local match includes professional services donated by Dr. Jerilyn Jewett-Smith, director of the East Stroudsburg University Environmental Studies program; Monroe County Conservation District, Planning Commission, Master Gardeners; John Serrao from Skytop; Carol Hillestad; Stream Manager James Hartzler; Program Manager Edith Stevens and John R. Riley, Mt. Pocono/Stroudsburg CPA firm.
Another $18,400 in donated volunteer services will be provided by BWA Streamwatch volunteers, Paradise and Stroud Township Environmental Advisory Councils, Concerned Citizens of Barrett Township, Brodhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Buck Hill Conservation Foundation, Friends of Cherry Valley, Tannersville Bog Committee and student interns from East Stroudsburg University. BWA is providing a $2,000 local match in the form of in-kind services.
The project has three phases: data collection; field inventorying and education followed by mapping, analysis and prioritization; and finally, development of the management plan. Public presentations will be offered to landowners, public officials, and conservation groups. Demonstration projects may be undertaken, as well.
In the first phase of the project, riparian areas along the 15 mile Cherry Creek and the 12 mile lower Brodhead will be surveyed. The Buck Hill Falls area will also be surveyed. Property owners in the 21 square mile Cherry Valley and the 28.2 square mile lower Brodhead will be contacted and offered the services of Master Gardeners to survey their property. The three phases include:
Data collection / field inventorying / education. Volunteers will be recruited and trained in the inventory protocols, training will be provided by Dr. Jerilyn Jewett-Smith. Volunteers will walk streams, trails, parks, state forest lands, some large private tracts and roadsides to inventory invasive species locations. Priority areas will be stream corridors.
Educational information specific to the watershed will be developed and provided to landowners. As requested, Master Gardeners will walk private lands with landowners to locate invasive species and to provide information on identifying and controlling invasives.
Mapping, analysis and prioritization. GIS maps of the watershed showing infested areas will be developed. A data layer, and metadata, for each species identified will be provided, and data will be analyzed and prioritized.
The management plan. The product will be a management plan, including data analysis, prioritization, information on strategies for control, eradication and restoration, and project methodology. Public education and outreach strategies will be an important component. Public presentations will be created for stakeholders such as landowners, public officials and conservation groups. Demonstration projects of options for managing invasives may be undertaken.
Summer 2008 plans - mapping of the Marshall Creek watershed will be completed. A workshop will be held for park maintenance workers in the lower Brodhead.
To be part of the volunteer team which will map invasives "hotspots", send an email to: Weed Watcher volunteer.
