Biodiversity is the full range of plants, animals, fungi, algae, and insects in an area, and it is declining worldwide due to habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, and other pressures. To keep our landscapes resilient to climate shifts, disease, and new pests, we must focus on Growing our Nation’s Habitat by Protecting Pennsylvania’s Native Species.
Across farms, forests, and backyards, fragmented and degraded habitats have reduced native species populations. Reintroducing and supporting native plants helps rebuild these ecological networks. Native species strengthen soils with deep root systems, offer greater genetic diversity than many cultivars, and are naturally adapted to local conditions, making them more resilient to drought, disease, and pest pressure.
Adding native plants, whether on large acreage or a small homestead, creates essential food and habitat for insects, birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. These species have co-evolved with our regional ecosystems, making native plants a cornerstone of healthy, productive landscapes.
Learn more about Growing our Nation’s Habitat by protecting our native species with the Pennsylvania Governor’s Invasive Species Council below.
Resources
The Green Illusion
Native Species Resources
- Why You Should Care about Native Species - Penn State Extension
- Choose Native Guide - Pennsylvania Sea Grant
- Native Replacements for Invasive Plants - Penn State Extension
- Birdy Dozen Plant Guide and More - Pennsylvania Audubon
- Invasive vs Native Plants - Western PA Audubon
- Bees of Pennsylvania: a guide to the genera - Penn State Extension
Invasive Species Resources
- Seeing the Unseen: Aquatic invaders & What’s at Stake
- Pennsylvania Invasive Species Webinar Series - Penn State Extension
- How to Properly Dispose of Invasive Plant Species - Penn State Extension
- Invasive Species Fact Sheets and More - Pennsylvania Sea Grant
- 2025 Pennsylvania Invasive Replace-ive Program - Pennsylvania DCNR Bureau of Forestry
- 2025 Invasive Species Scavenger Hunt - Pennsylvania iMapInvasives Program
- Prohibited Aquatic Species - Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- Pennsylvania Noxious Weeds and Controlled Plants - Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Practice Reporting Aquatic Invasive Species
Reporting invasive species is one of the best ways to prevent further spread. Visit the Pennsylvania Governor’s Invasive Species Council Reporting Page to learn more about the wide variety of reporting tools available!
Follow these key steps when reporting invasive species:
- Take clear, close-up digital photographs from different angles
- Include a reference object to establish scale
- Take photos of the immediate environment where the sighting occurred
- Provide good background contrast
- Take photos of any distinguishing characteristics
- Note specific location info when reporting