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May 16, 2024 - Franklin Township, PA

Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council Celebrates Third Annual PA Native Species Day at Big Elk Creek State Park

The Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council highlighted the importance of protecting native plants, insects, and animals during the third annual Pennsylvania Native Species Day at Big Elk Creek State Park in Chester County.

The Department of Agriculture-led advisory council brings state agencies, local governments, and environmental organizations together to make recommendations and spearhead strategies to tackle invasive species threats to our economy and environment and promote benefits of nurturing native plant and animals.

"Protecting our environment starts with each of us," said Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Fred Strathmeyer. "By planting native species in our gardens and yards, we create vital food and shelter for native wildlife and pollinators critical to our food supply. This simple act strengthens biodiversity and creates a healthier ecosystem. Let's work together, on Native Species Day and year-round, to support the organizations and business that promote native plants and ensure a thriving environment for generations to come."

Speakers Include:
Rob Campion - Park Manager, PA DCNR
Kris Abell - Council Coordinator, PA Gov's Invasive Species Council
Rachel Reese - Resource Management and Planning Division Chief, PA Bureau of State Parks
Jason Hall - Southeast Regional Forestry Supervisor, DCNR Forestry
Tim Shaeffer - Executive Director, PA Fish and Boat Commission
Scott Bearer - Habitat Planning and Development Division Chief, PA Game Commission
Mark Fiely - Horticulturalist, Ernst Conservation Seeds
Fred Strathmeyer - Dept. of Agriculture Deputy Secretary



Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is Agriculture Deputy Secretary Fred Strathmeyer delivering remarks during the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_01.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is a moment from the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_02.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is a moment from the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_03.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is a moment from the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_04.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is a moment from the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_05.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is a moment from the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_06.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is Rob Campion, DCNR delivering remarks during the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_07.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is Rob Campion, DCNR delivering remarks during the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_08.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is Kris Abell, Governors Administration, delivering remarks during the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_09.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is Kris Abell, Governors Administration, delivering remarks during the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_10.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is Rachel Reese, Bureau of State Parks, delivering remarks during the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_11.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is Rachel Reese, Bureau of State Parks, delivering remarks during the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_12.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is Jason Hall, Southeast Regional Forestry Supervisor, PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources delivering remarks during the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_13.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is Jason Hall, Southeast Regional Forestry Supervisor, PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources delivering remarks during the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_14.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is Tim Shaeffer, Executive Director, PA Fish & Boat Commission delivering remarks during the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_15.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is Tim Shaeffer, Executive Director, PA Fish & Boat Commission delivering remarks during the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_16.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is Scott Bearer, Chief Land Manager, PA Game Commission delivering remarks during the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_17.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is Scott Bearer, Chief Land Manager, PA Game Commission delivering remarks during the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_18.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is Mark Fiely, Horticulturalist, Ernst Conservation Seeds delivering remarks during the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_19.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is Mark Fiely, Horticulturalist, Ernst Conservation Seeds delivering remarks during the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_20.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is Agriculture Deputy Secretary Fred Strathmeyer delivering remarks during the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_21.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is Agriculture Deputy Secretary Fred Strathmeyer delivering remarks during the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_22.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is a moment from the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_23.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is a moment from the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_24.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Representatives from four state agencies on the Pennsylvania Governor's Invasive Species Council visited Big Elk Creek State Park in Franklin Township, Chester County, to celebrate the third annual Native Species Day. Pictured here is a moment from the event.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/25913_ag_nativeSpecies_JP_25.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a>