S.I.P.M.A.

The mission of our Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) is to protect and restore habitat through the cooperative identification and management (suppression, control, or eradication) of noxious and exotic invasive plants in the Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed.

Invasive and noxious plant species are a growing threat to biodiversity in the hardwood forests of Northern Central Pennsylvania, but the region has a relatively healthy native plant population. Since the invasive plant populations are still outnumbered by the natives, it is still possible to control many species that are not yet common or widespread. Agencies, organizations, and landowners can by much for effective when we work together to control weeds.

The Goals of S.I.P.M.A. are:

Create a sustainable coordinator position to manage and secure funding for projects
The early detection and rapid response to control noxious and invasive plant invaders in the watershed
Create a watershed database
Education and outreach to members of the general public who line in the CWMA

Current Projects:

The Sinnemahoning Invasive Plant Management Area was formed around the work to control mile a minute vine (Persicaria perfoliata) in the First Fork of the Sinnemahoning Creek Valley. Partners are also working on Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), Japanese barberry, (Berberis thunbergii), and glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus). The SIPMA is working together to perform early detection and rapid response to weed populations in the watershed, monitor treated sites, and to educate the general public about the problem.