June 17, 2022 - Harrisburg, PA
Leaders from seven state agencies highlighted the importance of protecting native species, which are critical to protecting our natural resources, at a stream restoration site at Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission headquarters. Governor Tom Wolf has proclaimed the first Pennsylvania Native Species Day. The agencies, along with 14 organizations in academia, environmental advocacy, and agriculture and other industries, are members of the Governor's Invasive Species Council (GISC). The council created Pennsylvania Native Species Day to celebrate the state's diverse native plants, insects, and animals and increase people's understanding of the importance of protecting them as invasive nonnative species proliferate. Speakers Include:Fish and Boat Commission Executive DirectorTim 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,Game Commission Director of Wildlife Habitat Management David Gustafson.