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What are Invasive Species?Natural habitats within Venango County are threatened by invasions of exotic plant and animal species. Invasive species include plants, animals or other organisms that do not naturally occur in the area and are likely to cause harm to the natural environment, the economy, or to human health. Because they have no natural enemies to limit their reproduction, they usually spread rampantly. Once established, it is extremely difficult to remove them or even control their spread. Invasive species are recognized as one of the leading threats to biodiversity and impose enormous economic costs to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and other enterprises, as well as to human health.
The introduction of non-native species into Pennsylvania began with the initial European settlement and continues to this day. Plants and animals have been deliberately introduced for a variety of reasons including: food sources, erosion control, landscaping, and game species for hunting and fishing. Other species have been accidentally introduced as ‘stowaways’ through trade and transportation. These introductions have had drastic effects on Pennsylvania’s biodiversity over time. For example, over 37 percent of the plant species now found in the Commonwealth did not occur here during the first period of European settlement.* *Information from Venango County Natural Heritage Inventory, 2010 |
Venango County PRISM Program
A pilot program known as the Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) has been established throughout 13 counties in Northwest Pennsylvania in order to combat invasive species. The program was created by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) after receiving a $210,000 Landscape Scale Restoration grant from the USDA Forest Service. The pilot program opened July 1, 2023 and will close on June 30, 2027. The goal of the program is to address the critical need to manage invasive species that threaten Pennsylvania's economy, environment, and human and animal health by developing strong, diverse stakeholder partnerships. By bringing together many partners, the program will lessen the burden of invasive species management and increase restoration of the native landscape.
The Venango Conservation District, in cooperation with local representatives from USDA-NRCS and DCNR Bureau of Forestry, created the Venango County PRISM grant program in 2024 to manage invasive species throughout Venango County. Any landowner (private individual, municipality, non-profit, etc.) was able to apply for up to $7,000 per project (50:50 match required). These applications are currently under review. PRISM Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public. When a meeting is scheduled, information will be posted on the home page of our website.
Venango PRISM Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Minutes January 11, 2024
Minutes February 8, 2024
Minutes April 11, 2024
Minutes June 13, 2024
The Venango Conservation District, in cooperation with local representatives from USDA-NRCS and DCNR Bureau of Forestry, created the Venango County PRISM grant program in 2024 to manage invasive species throughout Venango County. Any landowner (private individual, municipality, non-profit, etc.) was able to apply for up to $7,000 per project (50:50 match required). These applications are currently under review. PRISM Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public. When a meeting is scheduled, information will be posted on the home page of our website.
Venango PRISM Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Minutes January 11, 2024
Minutes February 8, 2024
Minutes April 11, 2024
Minutes June 13, 2024
Financial and other support for the PRISM Pilot Program in NW Pennsylvania is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a Landscape Scale Restoration Grant with the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
